AFID Facility Grant Program
AFID Facility Grant Program supports Virginia agriculture and forestry businesses through new or expanded value-added facilities that create jobs, attract investment, and benefit Virginia producers.
Funder: Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Due Dates: Project-specific deadlines (performance agreement execution and fund request)
Funding Amounts: Up to $500,000 per project, with exceptions; dollar-for-dollar local match; typically three-year performance period
Summary: Performance-based grants support new or expanding Virginia agriculture and forestry processing or value-added facilities that create jobs and private investment.
Key Information: Local governments apply for businesses that generally must source at least 30% of qualifying products from Virginia annually.
Description
The Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Facility Grant Program supports new and expanding facilities that add value to Virginia-grown agricultural and forestal products. Grants go to localities for the benefit of companies, with the expectation that AFID support is critical to project success. The Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry administers the program through the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), and the Governor approves awards.
The program serves agribusinesses of all sizes, including produce companies, dairy and meat processors, specialty food and beverage manufacturers, greenhouses, forest-product manufacturers, aquaculture operations, and native-plant nurseries. It prioritizes new jobs, private investment, Virginia-grown purchases, and benefits to producers. Awards are generally paid on a performance basis rather than serving as front-end financing.
