BI grants - rcdg discretionary value-added agricultural prod MKT dvlp

Upstream Innovations, LLC received a $247,419 Project Grant from the Rural Business Cooperative Services under the Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) program (CFDA 10.352) awarded on August 28, 2025, with a completion date of August 28, 2027. The grant supports value-added agricultural product market development activities in Nebraska. Under the VAPG program, this funding is directed toward either planning activities—such as feasibility studies and business plan development to assess economic viability of value-added ventures—or working capital grants that provide operational funding for day-to-day processing and marketing expenses associated with value-added agricultural products.

The award restricts use of funds from agricultural production, construction, real property purchases, and fixed equipment or vehicle acquisitions, ensuring resources are dedicated exclusively to market development and operational sustainability. As a discretionary competitive award within the VAPG program, Upstream Innovations, LLC will be required to submit semiannual Federal Financial Reports and project performance reports throughout the two-year project period, demonstrating compliance with applicable federal financial management regulations.