(a) Availability.--Grants under this chapter shall only be offered to the extent that funding is made available to the department. The following shall apply:
(1) In the event funding is exhausted or otherwise unavailable, the department shall be under no obligation to provide grants under this chapter.
(2) Grant money may be prorated or offered as a percentage of actual costs, as determined by the department and set forth in an order by the secretary, to spread available money to a larger number of eligible applicants. The secretary shall transmit notice of an order issued under this chapter to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
(b) Reimbursement grants.--A grant under this chapter shall be a reimbursement grant. The following shall apply:
(1) The amount of reimbursement shall be based on actual eligible costs submitted by an approved applicant within the grant cycle.
(2) Grant reimbursement money shall only be available for the eligible costs associated with:
(i) Meeting the requirements to obtain a grant of inspection.
(ii) Opening a new very small meat and poultry processing operation.
(iii) Expanding the capacity of a current very small meat and poultry processing operation.
(iv) A combination of subparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iii).
(c) Eligibility.--(Deleted by amendment).
(c.1) Eligibility.--An applicant may apply to receive reimbursement for eligible costs under section 10105 (relating to eligible costs) if the applicant is a very small meat and poultry processing operation and is either:
(1) currently operating under a grant of inspection; or
(2) upon completion of the approved project, the applicant will obtain a grant of inspection.
(c.2) Attestation.--
(1) An applicant shall attest to the eligibility requirements under subsection (c.1).
(2) The attestation shall be made under penalty of law and subject to 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 49 (relating to falsification and intimidation).
(3) If a statement or material fact on the application is found to be false, grant money received by the applicant shall be returned to the department within 30 days of notification of the finding.
(d) Application procedure.--An applicant who desires to receive a reimbursement grant under this section shall submit a grant application on a form provided by the department. The application shall contain the following information demonstrating and attesting to:
(1) The applicant's name, the organization name, a business address and a telephone number.
(2) A list of corporate officers.
(3) The applicant's eligibility under subsection (c.1).
(4) A detailed plan, including the process being undertaken to meet the requirements necessary to obtain a grant of inspection as a very small meat and poultry processing operation. The plan shall outline the overall project and materials being requested, including a line item proposed budget, individual tasks required to complete the project, a detailed timeline for completion of project tasks and, if applicable, detailed descriptions of equipment or supplies required to complete the project, training, consulting, technical support and other services utilized.
(5) A detailed list of costs, including training and equipment costs, for which reimbursement is sought.
(6) An attestation signed by the applicant and subject to 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 49 stating the applicant is in compliance, or will be in compliance after the approved project, with the Federal Meat Inspection Act (Public Law 59-382, 21 U.S.C. § 601 et seq.) or the Poultry Products Inspection Act (Public Law 85-172, 21 U.S.C. § 451 et seq.) to maintain a grant of inspection.
(e) Evaluation of application.--The department shall evaluate an application on the basis of:
(1) The ability of the applicant to complete the stated project within the stated timeline.
(2) The ability of the applicant to provide a detailed description of the project and project costs as required by subsection (d).
(3) The potential of the project to provide slaughter or meat or poultry processing capacity and services to this Commonwealth's livestock and poultry producers.
(4) The potential of the project to provide availability of Pennsylvania-produced meat or poultry products to consumers.
(July 7, 2022, P.L.504, No.52, eff. imd.)
Cross References. Section 10104 is referred to in section 10103 of this title.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes