State Representative David Bly, MN District 25B

The MN Dept of Ag will award approximately $2.7 million in matching grants to qualified organizations for the purpose of helping MN develop energy sources that displace fossil fuels with renewable energy technologies. Grants are limited to 50% of the cost of research, technical assistance or equipment related to bioenergy production or up to $1 million, whichever is less. Grants to non-governmental entities for the development of business plans and structures related to community ownership of eligible bioenergy facilities together may not exceed $150,000.

Eligible organizations include:

Owners of MN facilities producing bioenergy;

Organizations that provide for on-station, on-farm field-scale research and outreach to develop and test the agronomic and economic requirements of diverse stands of prairie plants and other perennials for bioenergy systems; or

Certain non-governmental entities for development of business plans and structures related to community ownership.

The MN Dept of Ag will issue the grants, in consultation with the NextGen Energy Board. Proposals must be received no later than 4:00 PM, July 31, 2008. Proposals will not be accepted by e-mail or fax. For more information, contact:

Andrew Carter, MN Dept of Ag

625 Robert St. N, St. Paul, MN 55155-2538

Tele: 651-201-5699

email: Andrew.Carter@state.mn.us

You may go to the MN Dept of Agriculture website for more information on grant money.