NC H865

Appropriates $25,000,000 in nonrecurring funds annually for the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for grants to meat and seafood processors.

Establishes three grant categories: capacity enhancement grants for facility expansion and equipment, workforce development grants for training and education, and planning grants for feasibility studies of new facilities.

Eligible facilities must contract with independent livestock producers or seafood harvesters and be regulated by USDA or state inspection authorities.

Recipients must provide matching funds of $1.00 from nongrant sources for every $2.00 provided by the grant, with up to $2,000,000 available for construction cost inflation supplements.

Requires grant recipients to repay a proportionate share of grant funds if fixtures or equipment are disposed of, taken out of service, or moved out of state within a timeframe specified by the Department.