Eligible uses of funding include, but are not limited to:
Hiring an independent consultant to develop planning documents for the dairy business such as a feasibility study, business plan or marketing plan that will be useful in determining the likelihood of success or to develop a new distribution channel.
Training needed to develop or market dairy products (e.g., ice cream making short courses, cheese industry conference, Dairy 101: Introduction to Dairy Processing and Management short courses, etc.). Funds may include registration fees, transportation (the lower business class airfare or mileage at the IRS standard mileage rate), and lodging (at current rates in the continental United States “CONUS Rates”).
Equipment for dairy processing and packaging, such as pasteurizers, cheese presses, and labelers.
Product development assistance and services in recipe development, sensory evaluation, packaging considerations or shelf-life studies from private and public sources including but not limited to PCC-DBII collaborators such as the dairy/business innovation programs at Fresno State, Oregon State University, Washington State University, Chico State, Chapman University, Cal Poly-Humboldt, Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, UC Davis, and the California Dairy Innovation Center.
Entering into or expanding co-packing capabilities to help other small businesses grow their production capabilities. Note: there is a supplemental application form for co-packers that needs to be submitted along with your primary application, workplan, and budget.