Federal money for domestic biofuels in Sedgwick, KS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas, Christy Davis, says the USDA is funding three projects to increase the availability of domestic biofuels, creating new market opportunities and jobs for Kansas farmers.

The investments are in excess of $900,000, and will build biofuel infrastructure in Sedgwick, Manhattan, and Lenexa.

“The USDA is working to lower costs for rural Kansans and expand clean energy,” Davis said. “By expanding access to homegrown biofuels, we strengthen our energy independence and create new market opportunities for farmers.”

The announcement is part of a larger national announcement that includes 25 other states.

The project for Sedgwick includes a $145,500 grant to help create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels through Basgall Investments LLC’s fueling stations. This project will install four E15 dispensers at a fueling station in Sedgwick. This project projects to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 374,400 gallons per year.

Rural Development is funding the three projects through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). HBIIP provides grants to fueling station and distribution facility owners to help expand access to domestic biofuels as a clean and affordable energy source.