Iowa has released the availability of nearly $350,000 in funds under the “Fueling Our Future 100” initiative as announced by Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey. Retailers who are interested can apply for the cost share funding to assist with the purchase and installation of blender pumps and underground storage tanks.

Applications must be received at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s office by 4 p.m. on Friday, October 14, 2016. Pumps and tanks funded through this round of funding for the program are required to be operational by the end of the federal fiscal year on September 30, 2017. Pumps and tanks funded through this program are required to be in operations for the intended purpose of dispensing higher blends of ethanol for at least 5-years from the date they enter service.

“Iowa retailers have shown a willingness to invest in infrastructure to deliver renewable fuels and customers have shown they are interested in choosing to increase the amount of clean burning, homegrown renewable fuels they use. Through this program we have supported the installation of more than 200 blender pumps and 16 underground storage tanks and now have some additional funds to add even more,” said Northey.

Iowa received a $5 million competitive grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) program to support the initiative. These funds must be matched by non-federal funds, including $2.5 million from the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP). The fueling sites applying for assistance will also be required to provide a minimum of $2.5 million.

More information about the program, a copy of the application and other materials can be found here.