LDWF Announces Shrimp Refrigeration Cost-Share Program

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has announced a shrimp refrigeration cost-share program for eligible industry members. This program will accept applications beginning Aug. 31, 2015 at 10 a.m. and offers eligible shrimp vessel owners, docks, and processing facilities the opportunity to qualify for 50 percent of any authorized refrigeration equipment costs, up to $30,000.

Participants who qualify may purchase and install advanced refrigeration equipment onboard their vessels or at their facility in efforts to produce high-quality seafood products.  This announcement marks the latest endeavor by LDWF to support the seafood industry with equipment upgrades.

Application Process

Applicants are not eligible if they have received funding for a prior assistance grant within the last four years.

Wholesale/Retail dealers who want to participate must first be enrolled in the Louisiana Wild Seafood Certification Program (http://www.louisianacertifiedseafood.com).

Applications for the shrimp refrigeration cost-share program will be accepted at the following link http://www.wlf.la.gov/SRGP2015 beginning at 10 a.m. on Aug. 31, 2015. Applicants must complete a separate application for each LDWF license and each business physical location.  Applicants must submit quotes for equipment that they intend to purchase and quotes must be dated within the last six months to be eligible. Applicants with completed applications will be awarded funding in order by date of application submitted.  If applicants have questions about the program or need language assistance they can contact LDWF at 225-765-3980 or toll-free 855-262-1764.

Successful applicants will receive an equipment approval email notifying them when to purchase the eligible equipment and will be given a deadline to submit receipts for the purchased equipment.

Eligible Equipment

All equipment will be evaluated as a complete system to ensure it will meet refrigeration needs of the vessel or facility. Only new equipment will be eligible for reimbursement provided it meets program requirements, previously purchased equipment will not be eligible. New equipment to be installed must be approved prior to purchase. All equipment must be purchased and installed by a certified license installer and cost of installation and labor must be customary and reasonable

Final approval of funds disbursement may be subject to an inspection. Some examples of equipment that are eligible for this program are: Seawater chilling systems, ice makers­—small flake/slush only no cube ice makers, freezers, generators—tied to a refrigeration system, cooler/freezer boxes and associated insulations, brine freezers, plate freezers, other freezer types, combined commercial refrigeration units, condensers and coils of split refrigeration systems, refrigeration supplies, electrical supplies—tied to a refrigeration system and other equipment and supplies that can be verifiably associated with shrimp refrigeration.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb, or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.

For press inquiries, contact Ashley Roth at [email protected]  or (504) 286-4162.

To sign up for LDWF commercial fishing alerts sent as text messages or as emails visit http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/signup.