Valley Foods Inc. received over $300,000 dollars to improve their meal kit service. 

Valley Foods Inc. is a Youngstown business that prepares and packages American made meal kits for the military, National Guard, disaster relief, summer school programs, and other food service customers. 

State Rep. Al Cutrona announced Monday that the State Controlling Board approved a total of $314,925  from the Regional 166 Direct Loan Program for the company to improve their meal kits service, as well as adding and retaining jobs for the business. 

Cutrona backed the previous state budget bill, which included support for the loan program. The loan program provides low-interest loans for land and building acquisition, construction, expansion or renovation, and equipment purchases for eligible businesses.

The funds will be used for upgrades to their ready-to-eat products needed to fulfill contracts for the Department of Defense and other entities. 

Due to the loan, four jobs will be created, and another 77 retained.