NEWS
RELEASE
United States Department
of Agriculture • Rural Development
3001 Coolidge Rd. • 2nd Floor North • Suite 200 • East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: (517) 324-5204 • Fax: (517) 324-5225 •
alec.lloyd@mi.usda.gov
Contact: Alec Lloyd
(517) 324-5204
USDA Rural Development Announces Flex-fuel Funding is Available, Application Deadline Approaching
EAST LANSING, May 13, 2011 – U.S. Dept. of Agriculture State Director for Michigan James J. Turner today announced a June 15 deadline for $1.2 million in grants and $1.6 million in guaranteed loans for Michigan businesses to facilitate the installation of flexible fuel pumps, also known as “blender pumps.”
Provided through the Rural Energy for American Program, the funds are intended to provide fuel station owners with incentives to install flexible fuel pumps that will offer Americans more renewable energy options.
“Michigan currently has a ratio of only one flex-fuel pump for every 5,000 vehicles,” Turner said. “The Big Three have committed to having half of their fleet flex-fuel capable next year. This is an excellent opportunity for station owners to reduce dependence on foreign oil, support Michigan’s growing bio-fuel industry and support the Big Three in their efforts to increase consumer choice.”
For further program information contact the USDA Rural Development Business Programs Division in the East Lansing State Office at (517) 324-5157.
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a network of 6,100 employees located in Washington, D.C, and 500 state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $134 billion in loans and loan guarantees.
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