AFID Blue Catfish Infrastructure Grant Program

Authorized by Virginia Code §3.2-312, this AFID program provides grants to political subdivisions to support processing, flash-freezing, and infrastructure projects addressing invasive blue catfish, which are documented in all of Virginia's Chesapeake Bay tributaries and harm shad, herring, striped bass, menhaden, clams, and blue crabs.

Applications must be made by a political subdivision (county, city, town, industrial/economic development authority, or planning district commission). Applicants are eligible for only one grant award per grant round and must be in good standing on any other AFID awards. Priority given to projects near small-scale blue catfish watermen, locally-owned processing facilities, and projects in the Rural Coastal Virginia Community Enhancement Authority or Planning District 23.

Reimbursable grants of no more than $250,000 per grant, awarded competitively. Two years from award to complete deliverables (one-year extension possible); up to 75% of funds may be allocated before the end of the grant period.

During the next funding round, completed applications (following the AFID Infrastructure Program Application format) should be emailed to VDACS' Office of Agriculture and Forestry Development or sent by postal mail. The application period is announced as funding becomes available.