The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels) is urging retailers to apply for $4 million in available biofuel infrastructure grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) before the application deadline on Oct 23.

Under the AGRI Biofuels Infrastructure Grant program, applicants must have no more than 20 retail stations in Minnesota and may apply for between $5,000 and $199,000 per individual project. Applicants must commit to 35 percent of the total project costs. Program awards may be combined or stacked with Higher Blend Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) awards through the United States Department of Agriculture.

Applications are due by 4 pm on Oct 23. Retailers interested in applying for the grants or receiving assistance in navigating the application process are encouraged to contact MDA or MN Bio-Fuels.

Since the AGRI Biofuels Infrastructure Grant program began in 2021, it has provided 60 grants totaling $9.5 million. There are currently 526 stations in Minnesota that sell Unleaded 88 and as of Aug 31, 94.42 million gallons of E15 have been sold in Minnesota this year.