TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) awards $1.48 million in grants to Kansas business owners to increase the availability of domestic biofuels.

USDA Kansas Rural Development Director Christy Davis made the announcement Tuesday.

Grants awarded to four Kansas companies will increase the availability of clean energy and generate economic benefits while combating climate change.

Tuesday’s announcement is part of a larger national announcement that includes projects in 17 other states.

Details of the Kansas projects are:

• A $475,000 grant will install eleven E15 dispensers and eleven E85 dispensers at three gas stations owned by Jump Start Stores Inc. in Wichita, Augusta and Abilene. This project is expected to increase ethanol sales by 878,400 gallons per year.
• A $285,000 grant will install two E15 dispensers, two E85 dispensers and one ethanol storage tank for Dara’s LLC at a Manhattan gas station. This project is expected to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 343,098 gallons per year.
• A $37,500 grant will help install an E15 dispenser for the Randall Farmers Cooperative Union gas station located in Randall. This project is expected to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 291,880 gallons per year.
• A $683,250 grant will install 12 E15 dispensers, 12 E85 dispensers, seven B20 dispensers, one ethanol storage tank and one biodiesel storage tank for WWWW Inc. at a gas station in Colby. This project is expected to increase the amount of biofuel sold by 3,815,401 gallons per year.

The awards and funding announced Tuesday are made possible through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). USDA awards HBIIP grants to owners of fueling stations and distribution facilities, including marine, rail, and home heating facilities, to help expand access to domestic biofuels, a clean and energy source affordable.

USDA 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 aid supports the improvement of infrastructure; business development; accommodation; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed Internet access in rural, tribal, and high-poverty areas.

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