Agriculture & Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID)

AFID is a discretionary incentive to grow Virginia’s agriculture and forestry industries. AFID grants are made to localities at the discretion of the Governor with the expectation that the grant will be critical to the success of a project, which will result in creation of new jobs and investment from companies that add value to Virginia-grown agriculture and forestry products. Grants may be used for a variety of purposes, including public and private utility extension or capacity development on- and off-site; high-speed or broadband internet access extension or capacity development; other transportation access costs beyond the funding capability of existing programs; site acquisition; any other activity required to prepare a site for construction; construction or build-out of buildings; or training. For more program information, please refer directly to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services . Contact Rachel Meyers Office of Agriculture & Forestry Development, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 804.786.6911 rachel.meyers vdacs.virginia.gov Eligibility In order to qualify for an AFID grant, the project should: Be a facility that produces "value-added agricultural or forestal products," meaning any agricultural or forestal product that (i) has undergone a change in physical state; (ii) was produced in a manner that enhances the value of the agricultural commodity or product; (iii) is physically segregated in a manner that results in the enhancement of the value of the agricultural or forestal product; (iv) is a source of renewable energy; or (v) is aggregated and marketed as a locally-produced agricultural or forestal product. Demonstrate that a minimum of 30% of the agricultural or forestry products to which the facility is adding value will be grown or produced within the Commonwealth on an annual basis in normal years. Grants are made to a local government under the following conditions: The project is creating new capital investment and jobs in Virginia. The local government applying for the grant provides a matching financial commitment. A performance agreement is executed between the applicant and the business outlining the agreed-upon job creation, capital investment, and purchase of Virginia-grown agricultural or forestry products. Public announcement of the project is coordinated with the Governor’s Office. In determining grant awards, the following criteria will be considered by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Expected number of jobs to be created. Anticipated amount of private capital investment. Estimated additional tax revenue expected to accrue to the state and affected localities as a result of the capital investment and jobs created. Anticipated amount of Virginia-grown agricultural and forestal products used by the project. Projected impact on agricultural and forestal producers. A Return-on-Investment (ROI) analysis. An analysis of the impact on competing businesses already located in the area. Other factors deemed appropriate by the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. Process Applications are made to the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry by a local government in partnership with the business based on the following process: Businesses interested in receiving AFID grant funds contact their local economic development professional, or other appropriate representative of the local government, to introduce the qualifying project to him/her. If there is support from the local government to apply for an AFID grant and provide the required local match, the economic development professional (or appropriate representative) contacts the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (contact information provided in the Contact section above) to discuss the project.

Eligibility In order to qualify for an AFID grant, the project should: