USDA to help Maine meat processor rebuild after plant fire
KENNEBUNK, Maine (AP) — The federal government is providing a small meat processor in Maine with $200,000 to help rebuild from a devastating fire last year.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is giving the money to Nest & Mullen LLC of Kennebunk, Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree said on Tuesday. The fire destroyed a processing plant in September 2020.
The grant will help the business recover and rebuild, Pingree said. She said the fire “not only destroyed their plant, but it shook the foundation of their entire business and threatened their livelihood.” Nest & Mullen is a five-generation farm and butcher shop, Pingree said.
The money is through USDA’s Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant program. The agency announced $32 million in grants to dozens of processing facilities earlier in the week.