GRANTS WILL FURTHER INCREASE ACCESS TO UNLEADED 88 IN MINNESOTA

Burnsville, July 30 - Last week, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture said it had awarded over $3 million in infrastructure grant funding to 16 retail service stations in the state. The grants will increase access to Unleaded 88.

Minnesota leads the nation in providing consumer access to Unleaded 88. Nearly 500 stations across the state offer the higher ethanol blend of fuel, which saves consumers an average of $0.18 per gallon.     

“The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association is grateful for the robust investment in biofuel infrastructure provided by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. These grant funds will help more retailers finance upgrades to their equipment so that they can offer Unleaded 88, which we know provides cost savings for consumers, improves air quality, and contributes to stronger rural economy,” said Brian Werner, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels).

The 16 stations that were awarded the grant funding had participated in a competitive application review process which began in August 2023 through the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Biofuels Infrastructure Grant program.Funding for this program was made available by AGRI and the Minnesota Corn Growers Association.

Eligible applicants were required to have no more than 10 retail petroleum dispenser sites throughout the state of Minnesota. 

MN Biofuels introduced, interviewed and assisted nearly 40 interested stations in applying for the program. Roughly half of those stations submitted applications, increasing the available pool of qualified applicants and representing approximately 30 percent of the grant recipients and funds awarded.

“MN Bio-Fuels will continue working with legislators, retailers, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to ensure future funding availability and a strong pool of applicants. We encourage retailers who did not receive funding during this round – as well as new retailers that may be interested in offering a cheaper, more environmentally friendly fuel like Unleaded 88 - to apply as the next round of funding becomes available, likely late summer or early fall of 2024,” Werner said.

To learn more about the program and start planning for next year, read last year's Request for Proposals (RFP).

Here's the full list of the grant recipients: