The Minnesota Department of Agriculture announced today $4.7 million in grant funding is currently available under its Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Biofuels Infrastructure Program to expand access to Unleaded 88 and other higher blends of ethanol.
The department said the application was currently open and closes June 2. Applicants may request between $5,000 and $199,000 per project.
MDA said applicants must have no more than 20 retail stations in Minnesota and must commit to 35 percent of the total project costs.
There are currently 551 stations in Minnesota that offer Unleaded 88.
In January of this year, Unleaded 88 was priced, on average, 20 cents less per gallon than regular 87, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
A recent study found Unleaded 88 saved Minnesotans $79.5 million at the pump from 2013 to 2024 and is projected to deliver over $272 million in savings by 2030.
Retailers interested in applying for the current round of AGRI grants or receiving assistance in navigating the application process are encouraged to contact MDA.