In a statement on Oct 29, the USDA said the grants were part of $39 million in infrastructure grants that were awarded to businesses in 18 states to increase availability of domestic biofuels and to give Americans “cleaner, more affordable fuel options.”

In Minnesota, the grants will be used to expand access to Unleaded 88 and E85 in stations in Alexandria, Fisher, Hopkins and St Paul. 

The $39 million in infrastructure grants awarded are part of the USDA’s $500 million Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). 

The USDA said it was also making $200 million available for a Biobased Product Market Development and Access Grant program to support innovative biobased technologies and bridge the gap between pilot-scale demonstrations and commercial viability.

It said the funding will be available to applicants who have been accepted into the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program.