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Ohio

Rural Business Enterprise Grant:

Outline of Need:
Although Rural Development assisted in the establishment of a kitchen incubator in southeast Ohio several years ago, small food based business in northwest Ohio were unable to take advantage of the facility due to the distance and cost involved. Since Northwest Ohio depends heavily on agriculture and agricultural products a kitchen incubator was an ideal match for the area. The solution was to establish a second incubator that could serve businesses in the northwestern portion of the state.

How Rural Development Helped:
In partnership with other local entities the Agricultural Incubator Foundation established the Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen in Wood County, Ohio. Rural Development provided a Rural Business Enterprise Grant in the amount of $99,000 to assist with purchase of kitchen equipment and to provide technical assistance to the small and emerging food processing businesses that will use the incubator.

The Results:
The incubator will provide new start ups and small existing businesses with a commercial kitchen in which to process their products until they grow large enough to purchase their own facility. It is estimated that 5 new jobs will be created on an annual basis.

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Section 9006 Energy Grant

Outline of Need:
Liquid Resources of Ohio, LLC utilized two RBS programs and partner agencies to construct a 6 million gallon ethanol plant in Medina, Ohio. Liquid Resources addresses two national priorities by reducing oil imports and improving the environment because their feedstock is not grain, but waste and stale consumer products such as beer, pop, and liquid food products. The company provides destruction services for these products and recycles the glass, plastic, and aluminum packaging as well as turns the contents into ethanol. Liquid Resources has provided a great alternative to the landfill for these products and is manufacturing an alternative fuel product in the process. The plant will be ready to produce ethanol in February, 2005 with the help of a grant awarded in the amount of $500,000.

How Rural Development Helped:
The B&I loan was further enhanced through a unique bond program issued by the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, allowing Liquid Resources of Ohio special state tax benefits.

This project meets the agency’s biobased/bioenergy initiative and also involves a partnership with a state agency to enhance the financing package provided.

The Results:
As a result of this project, 20 jobs were created and 1 business assisted.