U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $113,018 through a grant to increase American ethanol and biodiesel availability. These funds were made available through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP).
“Investments made through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program help both our agriculture and energy sectors,” said Hinrichsen. “Today’s investments help to expand infrastructure that will encourage the use of biofuels – increasing the possibility of energy security for years to come. Investments in higher blends infrastructure also helps provide stability for rural feedstock producers. Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA is dedicated to the economic prosperity of rural America; because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
The USDA grant project will replace six dispensers at one fueling station at 7115 W. 13th St. in Wichita. Jump Start Stores Inc. owns 10 or more fueling stations. This project is expected to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 612,000 gallons per year.
USDA plans on announcing tens of millions of dollars in additional HBIIP investments in the coming weeks.
The HBIIP helps transportation fueling and biodiesel distribution facilities convert to higher ethanol and biodiesel blends by sharing the costs related to the installation of fuel pumps, related equipment and infrastructure.
Eligible applicants are vehicle fueling facilities, including, but not limited to, local fueling stations/locations, convenience stores, hypermarket fueling stations, fleet facilities, fuel terminal operations, midstream partners and/or distribution facilities. Higher biofuel blends are fuels containing ethanol greater than 10 percent by volume and/or fuels containing biodiesel blends greater than five percent by volume.
For more information on USDA’s HBIIP Program, visit the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program web page.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ks.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
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