IMPPA to Administer USDA-Funded $15 Million Loan Program Supporting Local Meat & Poultry Processors

The Indiana Meat Packers and Processors Association (IMPPA) is proud to announce it will administer the Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP)—a $15 million revolving loan fund made possible through funding originally awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA).

The Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP) was established to expand access to affordable capital for small and very small meat and poultry processors, strengthening local and regional food supply chains across Indiana.

Recognizing the importance of deploying these funds quickly and effectively to serve Indiana’s processors, ISDA and IMPPA collaborated to transition program administration to IMPPA, whose direct engagement with processors and deep industry expertise uniquely position it to manage the loan program for maximum impact.

This collaboration ensures that the investment remains in Indiana and fulfills its intended purpose—supporting local meat and poultry processing capacity, fostering economic growth, and improving supply chain resilience statewide.

With IMPPA now administering the program, the MPILP will provide low-interest loans to eligible processors for expansion, modernization, and compliance projects. The initiative addresses long-standing bottlenecks exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic and will help reduce processing delays, support local livestock producers, and enhance the long-term stability of Indiana’s food system.

While this first round of $15 million is focused on meat and poultry processing, the MPILP is designed as a revolving loan fund—meaning repayments will allow future rounds of financing to support additional sectors of Indiana agriculture.

Program Highlights

• Funding Source: USDA Rural Development
• Loan Administrator: Indiana Meat Packers and Processors Association (IMPPA)
• Review & Oversight: Indiana MPILP Independent Review Board
• Loan Pool: $15 million revolving loan fund
• Loan Term: Up to 15 years

Who Is Eligible?
Indiana-based small and very small meat and poultry processors that operate independently of the large corporate packers—often referred to as “the big four” (Cargill, Tyson Foods, JBS, and National Beef Packing)—are eligible to apply.

Loan Terms

• Interest Rates:
  • 3.75% for general projects
  • 2.75% for wastewater-related infrastructure

• Loan Amounts: $100,000 to $5 million
• Local Bank Participation: Strongly encouraged

Eligible Uses May Include

• Purchase or upgrade of processing equipment and technology (including installation)
• Construction or acquisition of new facilities
• Start-up costs or working capital
• Compliance-related improvements to meet state or federal standards
• Expansion of packaging and labeling capabilities
• Pollution control and abatement, including wastewater treatment and transportation improvements

Application Timeline
Pre-applications open on November 11, 2025. Click here to apply.

Contact for More Information
For inquiries or application assistance, please contact mpilp@imppa.org.