COLUMBIA, SC – The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) recently announced a new incentive program for agribusinesses in the state.

The Growing Agribusiness Fund will receive $40 million to help existing South Carolina businesses with processing, packaging, manufacturing, distribution, storage and transportation of agricultural products. The money was appropriated by the South Carolina General Assembly. 

“This fund will be significant in opening up new opportunities for South Carolina farmers and agribusinesses,” said Hugh Weathers, commissioner of agriculture for South Carolina. “I applaud the General Assembly for investing in the future of agriculture in our state in such a meaningful way.”

A study cited by the SCDA said that the state currently imports $11.7 billion in agribusiness products from outside the state. 

Some examples of potential projects for business included updating poultry plants in the state to be more efficient and increasing demand for local poultry growers. 

In December 2022, SCDA stated that it would invest $3 million in the state’s meat processing capacity.