MI SB0134

Establishes an agricultural value-added grant program administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture with grants awarded from the Agricultural Development Fund for projects designed to establish, retain, expand, attract, or develop value-added agricultural processing and related agricultural production operations in Michigan.

Creates a Joint Evaluation Committee composed of at least 3 agricultural producers, an individual with scientific agriculture education, and an agricultural financial lender to conduct independent evaluation of grant proposals based on scientific merit, commercial merit, and ability to leverage additional funding.

Requires a minimum 10% cash match from applicants, limits overhead rates to 15% of grant amounts, sets maximum grant awards at $250,000.00, and mandates use of contracts with measurable milestones and provisions to revoke awards for contract breach.

Prohibits grant recipients from using funds for casino development under the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, or any other gaming enterprise.

Eliminates references to loans and loan guarantee programs from the original statute, streamlining the fund to focus solely on grant distribution for agricultural development.