Havre business development group secures US$10 million to expand small-scale meat processing in Montana

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on March 18, 2023.

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

A Havre, Mont. based business development group has secured a US$10 million loan to help expand small-scale meat processing in that state.

Bear Paw Development operates five counties along the U.S.-Canada border and will lead a partnership toward allotting funds from the federal America Rescue Plan to broaden beef processing.

Funds were announced this week by Montana U.S. Senator Jon Tester, a Democrat who helped negotiate the massive spending bill.

The newly announced money is on top of US$10 million secured over the last year that led to expansions at seven meat-packing operations and three new abattoirs.

Havre-based Premium Processing Cooperative secured about US$300,000 in that round of expansion grants that will lead to U.S. Department of Agriculture Inspection at the Montana Farmer’s Union facility.

Economic development groups in Great Falls, Butte, Lewiston, and Helena are involved in the new partnership.