Iowa Code § 187.311 - Dairy innovation and revitalization program

1. A dairy innovation and revitalization program is created within the department. The purpose of the program is to promote the development, modernization, and expansion of this state’s dairy industry. 2. In administering the program, the department shall award financial assistance to eligible businesses to support projects that do one or more of the following: a. Expand or refurbish existing milk plants or establish a new milk plant, operating pursuant to a permit issued pursuant to section 192.111 or 194.3A. b. Expand or refurbish existing mobile dairy processing units, or establish new mobile dairy processing units. c. Rent buildings, refrigeration or freezer facilities, or equipment necessary to expand dairy processing capacity, including mobile dairy or refrigeration units used exclusively for dairy processing. d. Incorporate methods and technologies that reduce farm labor associated with milk production and storage, including but not limited to the use of robotics and processes or systems that operate using computerized equipment or machinery. 3. The department shall establish eligibility criteria for the program. The eligibility criteria must include all of the following: a. The business must be located in this state. b. The business must not have been subject to any regulatory enforcement action related to federal, state, or local environmental, worker safety, food processing, or food safety laws, rules, or regulations within the last five years. c. The business must only employ individuals legally authorized to work in this state. d. The business must not currently be in bankruptcy. e. The business must employ less than fifty individuals. 4. An eligible business seeking financial assistance under this section shall make application to the department in the manner and on forms prescribed by the department. 5. Applications for financial assistance under this section shall be accepted during one or more annual application periods established by the department. Upon reviewing and scoring all applications that are received during an application period, and subject to the availability of moneys, the department may award financial assistance to eligible businesses. A financial assistance award shall not exceed the amount of eligible project costs included in the eligible business’s application. Priority shall be given to eligible businesses whose proposed project or projects under subsection 2 are most likely to do one or more of the following: a. Create new jobs. b. Create or expand opportunities for local small-scale milk producers to market pasteurized milk and milk products under private labels. c. Provide greater flexibility or convenience for local small-scale farmers to have milk processed. d. Reduce labor associated with the on-farm production and storage of milk. 6. An eligible business that is awarded financial assistance under this section may apply for financial assistance under other programs administered by the department. 2023 Acts, ch 101, §1 C2024, §159.31A 2024 Acts, ch 1043, §63; 2024 Acts, ch 1177, §7, 14, 16 C2025, §187.311 187.312 through 187.320Reserved. PART 3 VALUE-ADDED AGRICULTURE