Projects Will Increase Availability of Biofuels by over 6 Million Gallons Annually
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 19, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Ohio Rural Development Acting State Director Beth Huhn announced that USDA awarded $1 million in grants to help expand the availability of higher-blend, renewable biofuel in Ohio, Indiana, Kansas and Kentucky.
Ohio is one of 23 states in which USDA is investing $26 million through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. The funding will assist in increasing the use of biofuels derived from U.S. agricultural products to help rural America build back better.
“When we invest in climate solutions, we invest in the people of rural America to help create thriving communities where they can grow and prosper,” Huhn said. “USDA is putting rural America at the heart of solutions for renewable energy by expanding the infrastructure and availability of higher-blend biofuels to promote environmentally-friendly fuel choices and stimulate the market for U.S. farmers and ranchers.”
United Dairy Farmers Inc. will use a $634,000 grant to replace 21 dispensers and four storage tanks at four fueling stations as well as install 13 dispensers at two fueling stations in Ohio and Kentucky. Stations are located in Blanchester, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio; Mason, Ohio; Sharonville, Ohio; Delaware, Ky.; Ohio, Ky.; and Taylor Mill, Ky. This project is expected to increase ethanol sales by 4.4 million gallons per year.
Quadland Corporation, based out of Hubbard, Ohio, will use a $202,000 grant to replace eight dispensers and two storage tanks at a fueling station in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This project is expected to increase the amount of ethanol sold by almost 804,000 gallons per year.
TA Operating Inc, based out of Westlake, Ohio, will use a $190,000 grant to replace 28 dispensers and two storage tanks at two fueling stations in Gary, Indiana and Salina, Kansas. This project is expected to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 1.1 million gallons per year.
Today’s announcement marks the one-year anniversary of the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. To date, USDA has invested $66.4 million for projects that are expected to increase biofuels sales by 1.2 billion gallons annually.
This announcement includes investments in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas and Wisconsin.
Through this program, USDA helps transportation fueling and biodiesel distribution facilities offer higher ethanol and biodiesel blends to customers by sharing the costs to install fuel pumps, equipment and infrastructure. For more information on the program, visit www.rd.usda.gov/hbiip.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans 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, Tribal and high-poverty areas.
Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/oh or calling 614-255-2400. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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