Senator Reverend Warnock and the Georgia Congressional delegation announced Augusta-based CSRA Business Lending, which provides loans to rural small businesses and would receive an additional $7.5 million in funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Funding comes after initial $7.5 million secured by Senator Reverend Warnock and Georgia’s congressional delegation in November 2022

New federal funding will expand domestic meat processing capacity, creating jobs in rural counties, increasing competition, lowering grocery costs, and strengthening food supply chains

Senator Reverend Warnock led a bipartisan delegation of colleagues in pressuring USDA to award this grant to CSRA

Senator Reverend Warnock: “I was proud to lead my colleagues in the Georgia delegation to push for this federal investment in Georgia’s meat-processing industry”

ICYMI: In November, Senator Reverend Warnock announced the first series of federal investments into CSRA

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) led a bipartisan Georgia delegation in announcing an additional $7.5 million in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) investments for Georgia’s meat-processing industry. The funding was awarded to Augusta-based CSRA Business Lending, which provides loans to rural small businesses and will use the federal grant to expand Georgia’s meat-processing capacity by establishing the Georgia Meat and Poultry Revolving Loan Fund. This grant will create jobs, strengthen the food supply chain, and lower grocery costs for Georgians through increased competition. According to USDA, the investments are expected to create 26 jobs.

“This funding is about creating jobs in rural communities and lowering food costs for all Georgians,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Strengthening our food supply chain is crucial to keeping grocery store shelves full and food prices low. That’s why I was proud to lead my colleagues in the Georgia delegation to push for this federal investment in Georgia’s meat-processing industry. I look forward to continuing to work with partners in Georgia and Washington to keep our producers and agriculture industry strong.”

“Georgia farmers have demanded access to more meat and poultry processing options,” Senator Ossoff said. “We have succeeded in securing USDA funds to finance new processors that will serve Georgia farmers. I will continue working every day to support Georgia agriculture, and I thank Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black for his help with this effort.”

“Georgia is a national leader when it comes to livestock and ensuring that our producers have more local processing options is good competition that benefits business, good for families when they go to the supermarket, and good for supply chain resiliency that protects our economy,” said Congressman Bishop. “I was pleased to work with U.S. Senator Rev. Warnock as well as U.S. Senator Ossoff and my colleagues in Georgia’s U.S. House delegation to encourage this significant federal investment in our state that will help create a Meat and Poultry Revolving Loan Fund and support the creation of new processing facilities for our livestock producers.”

Senator Reverend Senator Warnock led a bipartisan Georgia delegation letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack supporting CSRA’s grant application, which USDA awarded in full. The letter was also signed by Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), as well as Reps. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA-02), Austin Scott (R-GA-08), Rick Allen (R-GA-12), David Scott (D-GA-13).

Senator Reverend Warnock is a dedicated champion for bringing jobs to rural Georgia and addressing supply chain issues. He previously received the 2022 OCP Rural Champion Award in recognition of the Senator’s vital leadership and legislative efforts to improve rural life, support agriculture, and diversify the rural economy. Additionally, in 2021, when as many as 30 vessels were backed up at the Port of Savannah, Senator Warnock pushed the Administration to release $8 million in federal funding for the Georgia Ports Authority to ease congestion across the state.

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