The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has partnered with the Northeast Regional Food Business Center to launch of the first round of funding for technical assistance providers, aimed at bolstering the capacity and economic potential of local and regional food systems across Maine and the Northeast.

Funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, the Northeast Regional Food Business Center is part of a nationwide initiative to strengthen food supply chains while supporting historically underserved producers and food business owners.

The center will allocate resources in the first round of funding to providers who provide direct business technical assistance and training to small- and mid-sized food and agricultural businesses. The center will also offer awards to organizations focusing on regional network development and partnership building among technical assistance providers.

The deadline to apply for funding is Friday, Aug. 23, and sub-awardees will be announced in early October.

Interested applicants must register and submit applications through the Northeast Regional Food Business Award application portal at nerfbc.fluxx.io. Applications should address the project priorities and guidelines outlined in the request for applications.

For more information about the first round of sub-awards for technical assistance providers, email [email protected]. Throughout the open application period, there will be opportunities to connect directly with the Northeast Regional Food Business Center, including a pre-recorded webinar and informational webinars on July 30, Aug. 7, and Aug. 15.

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