A recently-created investment program focused on helping Pennsylvania's struggling dairy industry will offer $5 million in grants, state Senate leaders announced Tuesday.

The Pennsylvania Dairy Industry Investment Program, which was created in June by lawmakers, will provide grants of up to $100,000 for research and development and marketing; and grants of up to $50,000 for value-added processing projects and to help dairies move to organic products.

State Sen. Elder Vogel, R-47th, who is chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, said the grants could help revive an industry that has been hurting for some time now.

“Dairy farms have been struggling for years due to a variety of financial issues that are largely beyond their control,” said Vogel. “Being able to purchase new equipment, offer new types of products ... or expand the market for their current products will help many dairy operations not only survive, but also succeed and grow.”

Those eligible to apply for the grant include dairy businesses and cooperatives, not-for-profit agricultural organizations, schools and institutions of higher learning.

State officials said applications will be considered on a rolling basis as long as funding remains available.

The program is administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. For more information or to submit an application visit www.dced.pa.gov.