USDA details $134 million in Northern California rural business funding

The U.S. Department of Agriculture highlighted $134.7 million in Rural Business-Cooperative Service investments across California during an economic roundtable held in Red Bluff alongside state Assemblymember James Gallagher.

The funding encompasses several programs, with $126.4 million distributed through the Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program. Additional allocations were made through the Rural Business Development Grant Program, the Value-Added Producer Grant Program, the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program, and the Intermediary Relending Program.

Among specific local recipients, three agricultural enterprises secured $200,000 each through Value-Added Producer Grants. Gattopardo USA LLC in Tehama County received funding to support the processing and marketing of packaged Fassona beef cuts. Starwalker Meats LLC in Siskiyou County received a grant to market packaged beef and pork products, while Mooney Farms in Butte County received funding to process and market olive-oil-based salad dressings.