Illinois State Director Douglas Wilson announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invested $9.2 million out of the up to $100 million in grants available to increase American ethanol and biodiesel sales. These funds were made available through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to recipients in 14 states. The initial $9.2 million in HBIIP investments are projected to increase ethanol demand by nearly 86.2 million gallons annually in the Midwest and throughout the Region.
“The Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program is building stronger economies for rural communities throughout the Midwest and the region,” Wilson said. “With access to more sustainable choices at the pump, additional uses of our agricultural products, and creating in-demand jobs, this program is an exciting prospect for our agricultural economy.” “The Trump Administration has expanded use of biofuels, including year-round E15, and the result is more demand for the products grown by American farmers and more affordable fuel for American consumers.”
The following projects highlight the first round of HBIIP investments in Illinois and throughout Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ohio, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
- In Iowa, Illinois, and the other Midwest States, The Casey's General Store, Inc. investment will be used to create an infrastructure to expand renewable fuels' sale and use. This project is expected to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 19,625,715 gallons per year. These investments will occur at fueling stations in the following Illinois communities: Bradley, Crystal Lake, Forrest, Gibson City, Hampshire, Harvard, Le Roy, Meredosia, Mount Morris North Utica, Princeton, Rantoul, Roscoe, South Pekin, Taylorville, and West City
- In Illinois, The Carroll Service Company, Inc. investment will be used to create an infrastructure to expand renewable fuels' sale and use. This project will replace two dispensers at one fueling station in Lanark, Illinois. This project is expected to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 54,756 gallons per year.
- In Kentucky, The Thorntons LLC investment will be used to create infrastructure to expand the sale and use of renewable fuels. This project will replace 290 dispensers at 34 fueling stations. This project is expected to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 66,525,586 gallons per year. These investments will occur at fueling stations in the following Illinois communities: East Peoria, Ottawa, and Lincoln.
The Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program 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.
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