Flatrock Butcher Block, in collaboration with JobsOhio, Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE), Ohio Department of Development, Gallia County Economic Development, and the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College, announced an investment of $130,000 to expand its operations in Gallipolis, Ohio, creating two new jobs.
A locally- and family-owned company, Flatrock Butcher Block is a state-inspected meat processing facility specializing in cattle, hogs, lambs, and goats. The company processes meat for local farmers and supplies a variety of meat products for regional restaurants and NGOs.
“Grants like these help small businesses such as ours to tailor our offerings to the needs of our customers – local farmers and consumers – that we would not otherwise be able to invest in,” said Brent Buckley, Owner of Flatrock Butcher Block. “In a business with razor-thin margins, these grants help us to grow, remain viable in the area and ensure that local producers have good options. We are grateful for these dollars and will use them to expand our capacity, enhance our offerings and move our business forward to better meet our customers’ demands.”
The expansion includes investments in new machinery and equipment to increase Flatrock’s overall processing and packaging volume, including in expanded offloading facilities, a safer harvest box, enhanced ventilation throughout the facility, a new smokehouse, and exterior improvements to expedite material handling. The combination of these improvements will help the company provide faster butchering services to more customers.
In addition to JobsOhio’s Small Business Grant, Flatrock also received a $303,000 grant through the Ohio Department of Development’s Ohio Meat Processing Grant Program. Flatrock was one of 51 Ohio companies in the meat harvesting and processing industry across 33 counties to receive funding for the construction of new facilities or upgrades at existing facilities.
“Since the pandemic, many consumers are discovering what we’ve known for a long time in Gallia County – knowing your farmer and knowing your butcher makes a huge difference in food quality and in personal health,” said Cole Massie, Director of Economic Development for the University of Rio Grande & Rio Grande Community College, as well as Gallia County Economic Development. “Flatrock Butcher Block is a great representative of what a locally-owned meat processor brings to a community, and we’re pleased to support their continued growth in Gallia County with these grants!”
JobsOhio supported the project with a $25,000 JobsOhio Small Business Grant and Ohio Southeast Economic Development assisted the company with the grant process.
The JobsOhio Small Business Grant provides grants to support the growth of small businesses that face unique challenges because they are either located in a qualifying zip code or are owned by an eligible population, which includes minorities, women, veterans, and people with disabilities. To qualify the company must have an eligible project and meet business size and industry requirements.
“Small businesses are the mainstay in the OhioSE region,” said Katy Farber, OhioSE Interim President. “We are pleased to be able to support the growth of Flatrock Butcher Block LLC.”
Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE) is the JobsOhio Network Partner for southern, eastern, and southeastern Ohio, providing economic development work and resources in 25 rural counties. Geographically the largest of the seven regions across the state, OhioSE partners closely with regional development districts, local economic development offices, state agencies, and other entities to expand, retain, and attract businesses in the counties they serve.
