By Jamie Martin
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins has announced the official termination of the Regional Food Business Centers (RFBC) program. Established during the pandemic under temporary funding from Congress, this program aimed to support food businesses. However, Secretary Rollins stated that it should not have been created under these conditions and is now ending.
Out of the 12 RFBCs, 8 centers have successfully issued Business Builder grants, which are designed to assist food businesses. Due to the complexities involved in setting up partnerships and making grant decisions, only a few grants have been awarded thus far. However, USDA will honor the commitments already made and continue supporting those who received or are in the process of receiving grants.
RFBC centers that have not yet committed to issuing Business Builder grants, including the Great Lakes Midwest, Southeast, Delta, and Islands and Remote Areas centers, will be closed. These closures are part of USDA’s strategy to streamline programs and ensure more efficient use of resources.
For centers that have already issued or announced Business Builder subawards, they will be allowed to continue managing those commitments through May 2026. This extension ensures that businesses and producers who rely on these grants will not be left without support.
Secretary Rollins emphasized that while the program’s closure marks a shift, the USDA is committed to honoring all current and pending obligations and ensuring that farmers and food businesses continue to receive support throughout the transition.
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Categories: National