Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) highlighted that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded nearly $48 million in relief grants that will benefit producers in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Oregon.The grants, awarded through USDA Rural Development’s Biofuel Producer’s Relief Program, will be used to help biofuel producers recover from unexpected market losses suffered as a result of COVID-19.
“The COVID-19 pandemic hit nearly every sector of our economy – including our biofuel producers in Northwest and Central Illinois,” said Congresswoman Bustos. “Today, I’m so pleased to see the U.S. Department of Agriculture award nearly $48 million in grants to help these local economic engines recover from market losses during the pandemic. These funds will help keep this industry strong as we head into the future.”
A breakdown of the grant funding can be found below:
- $22,651,903.94 for Alto Ingredients: Alto Ingredients is receiving financial assistance for three facilities that produce ethanol. The facilities are located in Illinois, Idaho, and Oregon.
- $18,275,880.92 for Big River Resources, LLC: Big River Resources is receiving financial assistance for four facilities that produce ethanol. Their facilities are located in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.
- $6,254,526.22 for CHS, Inc.: CHS Inc. is receiving financial assistance for two facilities that produce ethanol. Both facilities are located in Illinois.
- $744,373.42 for Adkins Energy LLC: Adkins Energy is receiving financial assistance for one facility that produces ethanol. The facility is located in Lena, Illinois.
A fact sheet on USDA Rural Development’s Biofuel Producer’s Relief Program can be found here.
***Report Courtesy of Congresswoman Bustos***
