X-Caliber Rural Capital Provides $25 Million in USDA Financing for Plantible Foods' Eldorado, Texas Expansion

IRVINGTON, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 6, 2026--

X-Caliber Rural Capital ("XRC"), a licensed USDA OneRD lender and affiliate of X-Caliber Capital Holdings LLC ("X-Caliber"), today announced the closing of a $25 million USDA OneRD Business & Industry Guaranteed Loan, the maximum available amount under the program, to support the expansion of Plantible Foods' commercial production facility in Eldorado, Texas.

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Plantible Foods is a biology company producing functional ingredients derived from Lemna (water lentils). The financing will support the company's expansion of up to 50 new commercial greenhouses at its Ranchito facility, increasing annual production capacity for breakthrough plant protein to more than 1,000 metric tons.

"Plantible represents exactly the type of company the USDA Business & Industry Guaranteed Loan Program was designed to support — an innovative business with proven technology, strong leadership, and a meaningful commitment to rural communities," said Anna West, President of X-Caliber Rural Capital. "Providing the maximum financing available under the program demonstrates how USDA lending can help businesses secure the capital they need to scale operations, create jobs, and generate long-term economic opportunity in rural America."

The USDA Business & Industry Guaranteed Loan Program is designed to improve access to capital for businesses operating in eligible rural communities. By providing lenders with a federal loan guarantee, the program supports financing for projects that create and retain jobs, encourage private investment, and strengthen local economies. For growing companies like Plantible, the program can provide access to larger loan proceeds and longer-term financing that may otherwise not be available through conventional lending.

"Plantible has built an impressive platform with a clear commercial growth strategy, and we were able to structure financing that aligned with the company's long-term objectives," said Shaun Stehr, Vice President at X-Caliber Rural Capital, who originated the transaction. "Our team worked closely with Plantible to deliver a financing solution that supports its continued expansion while advancing USDA's mission of promoting investment and economic development in rural communities."

The expanded facility is expected to position the company to meet increasing customer demand while supporting continued domestic production of innovative food ingredients.

Founded by Dutch entrepreneurs Tony Martens and Maurits van de Ven, Plantible has developed a proprietary production platform that transforms water lentils into functional ingredients, with Rubi Protein™ acting as its flagship ingredient.

"This financing represents an important milestone for Plantible as we continue scaling our operations in Eldorado," said Tony Martens, Co-Founder and CEO of Plantible Foods. "The expansion will enable us to better serve our customers while continuing to invest in the community where we have built our manufacturing operations."

Beyond increasing production capacity, the expansion is expected to create additional employment opportunities in Schleicher County, support local suppliers and contractors during construction, and reinforce Eldorado's position as a growing center for advanced agricultural manufacturing.

Since establishing its commercial facility in Schleicher County, Plantible has continued to invest in skilled operations, engineering and research positions while strengthening the region's advanced agricultural manufacturing base. The investment reflects the broader role innovative rural businesses can play in creating high-quality jobs, attracting long-term private investment and supporting sustainable economic development throughout rural America.

The transaction underscores X-Caliber Rural Capital's commitment to delivering tailored USDA financing solutions for businesses that are creating jobs, expanding domestic manufacturing, and driving sustainable economic development throughout rural America.

Plantible Foods headquarters and research and development hub is located in San Marcos, California and features a pilot facility and pilot cultivation facility.

About X-Caliber Rural Capital

X-Caliber Rural Capital is an affiliate of X-Caliber Holdings ("X-Caliber"), a national real estate lending and investment firm. X-Caliber Rural Capital is a national, licensed and approved U.S. Department of Agriculture lender that provides financing for rural business and economic development projects under five flagship programs that fall under the OneRD Guaranteed Loan Initiative. The Company is dedicated to creating attractive solutions for its borrowers that meet the needs of rural communities throughout the country.

About Plantible Foods

Founded by Dutch entrepreneurs Tony Martens and Maurits van de Ven, Plantible Foods is a biology company unlocking the power of plants to promote the health and longevity of people and planet. Its first mission: rebuild the global food system from the ground up—starting with Rubi Protein™, a complete, nutritious, functional and delicious plant-based protein that is grown sustainably, not raised. Rubi Protein™ contains all nine essential amino acids, vitamin B12, and has a neutral taste with no known allergens. Rubi Protein™ is derived from water lentils (Lemna) grown in enclosed commercial greenhouses and processed at Plantible's commercial facility in Eldorado, Texas. Plantible is the first company to receive a "No Questions" letter from the FDA for isolated RuBisCO protein. Plantible Foods is online at plantiblefoods.com.

Water lentils grow inside one of Plantible Foods’ enclosed greenhouses where the company produces Rubi Protein™ using a controlled aquatic growing system designed to support consistent, year-round harvests.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Senate committee is set to vote Thursday on whether to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress and refer him to the Justice Department for potential prosecution over his refusal to answer questions at a hearing last week focused on his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, the Republican committee chairman, has said that constitutional protection did not apply since Fauci last year received a pardon from President Joe Biden and thus did not have to worry about the threat of prosecution.

But Fauci, in a statement issued before the hearing, said he had good reason to fear the possibility of criminal charges given what he said was Paul's determination “to get me to say something, anything, that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up, in his words, quote, behind bars, unquote."

The pardon from Biden covered acts from 2014 through the January 2025 day it was issued but does not shield Fauci from state-level prosecutions or from investigations into any testimony that he did give that lawmakers thought was false.

The Republican-led panel is set to vote Thursday morning on whether to refer Fauci to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, which would make a decision on whether or not to investigate or potentially attempt to prosecute the doctor for contempt.

Paul, who has previously sent referrals on Fauci on his own, acknowledged Wednesday that contempt resolutions have often gone through the full Senate but said he did not “want to waste time” moving the matter to a vote of the full Senate, where it would be unlikely to muster the required 60 votes needed to advance.

“We still might come to the floor,” he said, “but at this point, the first thing we will do is we will send it over as a recommendation from our committee, if it passes.”

No matter what happens, the episode raises fresh and complicated questions about lawmakers' ability to compel testimony from previously pardoned witnesses — and the outcome could resonate beyond Fauci given the possibility that Trump may also grant clemency to his own aides before leaving the White House.

Associated Press writer Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.

Dr. Anthony Fauci appears before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee at the Capitol, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., speaks as Dr. Anthony Fauci appears before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee at the Capitol, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

Dr. Anthony Fauci departs after appearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing at the Capitol, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., talks to reporters following a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing with Dr. Anthony Fauci at the Capitol, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

Dr. Anthony Fauci appears before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee at the Capitol, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)