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Grants for Pellet Making
Grants that support pellet manufacturers help consumers convert to biomass energy use for homes and businesses. Consumers who convert to biomass energy also reduce their energy bills and dependence on fossil fuels
U.S. Forest Service
The U.S. Forest Service provides grants to businesses that manufacture wood pellets. In 2009, Ochoco Lumber, and its partner Bear Mountain Forest Products, two companies based in Oregon, received $4.89 million from the Forest Service to construct wood-pellet fuel facilities. In addition to creating new jobs, the grant contributes to the state's biomass initiative. The Pellets are manufactured from biomass products harvested from private lands in the region and will be sold in the Pacific Northwest, primarily to hospitals, schools and other commercial facilities. The grant helped to retain 80-full-time jobs, and created 11 new positions. Grant proceeds were used to purchase and install new pellet-making machines and to make infrastructure improvements at the two plants.The grant was made possible by the stimulus plan, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.
U.S. Forest Service
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-1111
800-832-1355
fs.fed.us
U.S. Department of Agriculture
In 2010, Ashland, Maine received a $99,999 grant from the USDA to rebuild Northeast Pellet LLC., a pellet manufacturing plant that was destroyed by fire. The program was made possible under USDA's Rural Development program. USDA's Rural Energy Program (REAP), also provides grants to support energy efficient programs nationwide. In addition to providing loans to promote renewable energy projects, the program allocates grants for conversion to renewable energy. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis; applicants are advised to review the eligibility criteria for each program. In 2010, a pellet manufacturing company in Athens, Maine, received $400,000 in REAP funding from USDA. Main Woods Company LLC., will use proceeds from the grant to purchase and install new pellet manufacturing equipment. The grant has contributed towards the region's job growth; additional staff were hired from Athens and neighboring towns.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250
202-720-2791
usda.gov
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GLTA the KGET shareholders
