Last week USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Programs Administrator Judith Canales crossed Michigan’s Lower Peninsula at a series of events to highlight flex-fuel options and the availability of renewable energy assistance.
She addressed the Michigan Business Incubator Association’s conference “Michigan’s Changing Economy: The Role of Business Incubation and New Venture Creation” in East Lansing.
Afterward she met with Michael Petersen, owner of Petersen Oil in Greenville, and a leader in the flexible fuel movement, and discussed how USDA Rural Development can provide funding for flex fuel pumps. The application deadline is June 15.
Michigan ranks 18th overall among the states with a ratio of 5,255 flex-fuel vehicles per flex-fuel station. Illinois, Indiana and Ohio all have much better ratios, meaning it is easier for flex-fuel drivers in those states to find alternative fuels.
Petersen’s facility carries E20, E30, E40 and E85. He said that 70 percent of the fuel sold at his station was regular unleaded, 20 percent was E85 and the blends made up the remainder.
Canales concluded her visit to Michigan at Port City Group’s East Porter Road facility. The manufacturing company has boosted its employment by 12 percent over last year thanks to two Rural Business Guaranteed Loans.
To learn more about the Rural Energy for America Program click here.
