The USDA has announced $223 million in grants and loans to expand meat and poultry processing across the country, with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack planning to visit Omaha to highlight a $73 million grant to 21 meat-processing projects. This initiative, part of a larger plan to invest up to $1 billion to expand competition in the meatpacking industry, aims to increase processing capacity and create jobs. The funding, from the American Rescue Plan, will be distributed among various programs, with additional funding expected in December or early 2023. The recipients of these funds are required to notify the USDA of any ownership changes to prevent absorption by large packers.