Minnesota retail service stations interested in increasing access to and sales of motor fuel blends containing at least 15% ethanol (E15, also known as Unleaded 88) are encouraged to apply for Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Biofuels Infrastructure Grants funding.
The Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Biofuels Infrastructure Grant Program will award up to $3.335 million in this funding round to assist with the expenses of replacing or upgrading existing station equipment so it can be certified as compatible with E25 or higher motor fuel blends. Examples of eligible equipment include retail petroleum dispensers and fuel storage tanks.
MDA Biofuels Infrastructure Grants applicants may request between $5,000 and $199,000 for an individual project and must commit at least 35% of the total project cost as a cash match. The grants can be utilized over a three-year period starting in mid-January 2024.
Applicants must be a retail petroleum dispenser in Minnesota with no more than 10 sites, regardless of location. Separate applications must be submitted for each site in Minnesota seeking funding. Additional consideration will be given to businesses owned by women, members of the BIPOC community, veterans, and projects that serve communities of color, Native American tribal communities, socio-economically disadvantaged communities, and communities where access to biofuels is limited.
Applications are due by 4:00 pm on Thursday, October 12, 2023. For complete eligibility criteria and application details, visit the AGRI Biofuels Infrastructure Grant webpage.
