During its two years in operation, the Southwest Regional Food Business Center supported 170 small and mid-sized food and farm businesses in Nevada. Programs like the Southwest Regional Food Business Center are vital for pushing back on corporate consolidation in the food industry that has hollowed out rural communities, Johnson said. The centers were meant to coordinate regional food efforts, offer comprehensive technical support, and provide small financial grants to build the local food economy. A report from the USDA in December found the centers led to the creation of more than 300 new food businesses. The research would have provided data on the buying habits and preferences of Nevada consumers to help local food businesses develop marketing strategies and expand their market.