The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is currently accepting grant funding applications for projects that will help expand the commercial fishing and processing of blue catfish in the Commonwealth. Applications for the Governor’s Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grant Program will be accepted today through 5 p.m. on Oct. 30, 2026.
The Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grant Program awards reimbursable grants of up to $250,000 to support infrastructure development projects that directly support local food production, enhance environmental sustainability, and demonstrate a broad community benefit. Grant funds should be used primarily for capital expenditures. Grant priority will be given to the following project types:
· Projects that create processing, flash freezing, and infrastructure capacity in proximity to small-scale blue catfish watermen.
· Processing facilities that are primarily locally owned, including packaging, freezing, and labeling facilities that are used for processing blue catfish.
· Projects that involve or incorporate existing seafood processors and businesses.
· Projects located in the localities of the Rural Coastal Virginia Community Enhancement Authority or in Planning District 23.
Introduced several decades ago as a recreational trophy fish, blue catfish is an invasive species and aggressive predator that has thriving populations in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Blue catfish poses a significant threat to the ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay as it eats native species including shad, herring, striped bass, menhaden, clams and blue crabs.
Additional information and the application for this grant opportunity are available on the Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grant Program webpage.
Completed grant funding applications should be emailed prior to the due date to Rachel Meyers, Office of Agriculture and Forestry Development, at [email protected] or postmarked by Oct. 30 and sent by postal mail to VDACS Office of Agriculture and Forestry Development, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Va. 23219.
