Larry's Custom Meats

CADE is currently working with Larry’s Custom Meats, a regional meat processor of beef, hogs and ruminants, on their project to expand their processing plant located on a 63 acre land parcel one-half mile south of Hartwick in Otsego County. Established in 2002, known for their exceptional customer service, processing expertise and high quality smoked goods, Larry’s Custom Meats has become an in demand processor.

Slated to begin in the fall 2010, Larry’s Custom Meats will construct a new, state of the art, 6,000 sq. ft. U.S.D.A inspected meat processing plant.  This expansion is expected to double their capacity over the next five years.  The proposed project incorporates efficient and streamlined processing, electronic records and data management services, housed in an energy efficient building.  The expanded plant will be located on State Route 205 - a centrally located transportation corridor for the region.  The new plant will service farmers from the region of Chenango, Oneida, Herkimer, Delaware and Otsego Counties.    

Increasing U.S.D.A. meat processing capacity is critical in supporting the growth in livestock farming in the region.   As stated in the Food and Water Watch report, Where’s the Local Beef, “a rebirth of small slaughterhouses would breathe new life into small communities everywhere, give farmers and ranchers more options for processing their sustainability raised livestock and satisfy growing consumer demand for healthy meat products.”

This project is supported by local commitment to expanding farming opportunities and agricultural businesses in the region.  In July 2009 the County of Otsego Industrial Development Agency partnered with the Otsego County Development Corporation to provide the Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (CADE) a $25,000 grant to identify meat processors to expand capacity and service the demand for USDA inspected meat processing facilities and to provide technical assistance.   Larry’s Custom Meats is one of the identified meat processors.

Through this grant, CADE provided an in-depth business expansion plan, plant layout schematics and certified engineer stamped plans, work flow design, and consulting to provide assistance through local site plan process, HACCP training and the USDA certification process.  CADE also collaborated with the Otsego County Economic Development team to provide funding from the following sources:  The Bank of Cooperstown; The County of Otsego Industrial Agency; The Mohawk Valley Economic Development District; The Otsego County Revolving Loan Fund; and a USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant.


CONTACT INFORMATION:
Larry's Custom Meats
Phone:  (607) 293-7927
Email:  larryscustommeats@yahoo.com