Press Releases

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) opened a grant program today, with approximately $650 million in funding available, with financial assistance available to Louisiana's fishing industry. Graves has worked to provide assistance to Louisiana's seafood producers to help provide a helping hand through recent disasters.

"This is a lifeline given to some of our struggling fishing communities who have been overlooked by other COVID and natural disaster assistance programs. The pandemic impacted every industry and we are working with USDA to make sure our seafood providers can apply for these grants. Any effort we can take to make sure Louisiana catches some of the best seafood, retain great restaurants, and keep our fishing sector afloat is a win-win-win," Graves said. "On top of the pandemic, Louisiana fishers have seen incredible challenges over the past several years – record natural disasters, unfair and illegal fishing practices from other countries, and burdensome regulations. We will keep working to get necessary relief to move them closer to adequate recovery."

The USDA applicant list for eligible entities can be found here.

Previously, USDA announced two grant programs would open to assist agricultural stakeholders that have not received substantial federal financial assistance in response to COVID-19. Graves announced recently $4,229,669 in the first grant program that would be available for Louisiana's fishing industry, such as seafood processors.

Graves also reiterates his request for the U.S. Department of Commerce to declare a "Fishery Disaster Determination" – related to Hurricane Ida – which would provide non-competitive, targeted relief.

How to apply:

The application period opened today, October 6, 2021. Applications must be submitted electronically through the grant portal at https://usda-prs.grantsolutions.gov/usda by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, November 22, 2021.

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