The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on our society.  The virus hit the national meat industry, causing temporary plant closures, along with shortages and limits at local grocery stores.  The local meat processing industry stepped in to fill the void.  However, meat processing in Kentucky quickly became overwhelmed, creating 12, 18, and 24 month waiting lists.  The Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Governor's Office of Ag Policy recognized this challenge and developed a subcommittee to address the need to expand meat processing within the Commonwealth.  Mr. Warren Beeler asked me to be a member of this subcommittee.  The committee developed a three tiered system to encourage processors to process more animals.  The first tier monetarily rewards meat processors for processing more animals, while the other two tiers created a granting program to either purchase new technology or expand their existing facility, respectively.  My role is to provide general information about the local meats industry, indicate and describe the need for new technologies, and visit meat processors to help them identify the bottlenecks in their process.  Now, due to the pandemic causing Kentucky meat processing to exceed capacity, more and more individuals and groups want to open new processing facilities.  My role has expanded to meet with these individuals and groups to discuss meats industry and the steps involved in building, equipping, and maintaining a facility.  This program has just begun, but currently I have met with over 10 meat processors and field an average of three to five phone calls and emails a week of those interested in starting a new meat processing facility.