Montana Premium Processing Cooperative receives $292K grant

Montana Farmers Union

A new meat processing cooperative in Havre has received nearly $292,000 in Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program funding.

Montana Premium Processing Cooperative is set to formally open its doors with a grand opening Nov. 21, and the federal funds will help cover equipment costs and other startup costs, said Matt Rains, chief of staff for Montana Farmers Union, which has been instrumental in getting the co-op operational.

“It’s a really key thing to not burden the co-op with paying loan interest in the first few years of operation. It will help keep prices down and...