USDA directs $32 million in COVID-19 aid to Kansas ethanol production plants – Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — Operators of eight ethanol crops in Kansas disrupted by economics of the COVID-19 pandemic will obtain greater than $32.4 million in federal catastrophe help, officers stated Monday.

The biggest Kansas recipients of help from the U.S. Division of Agriculture are Conestoga Power Holdings, of Liberal, and East Kansas Agri-Power of Garnett. Conestoga, which has two ethanol services in Kansas, certified for $14.4 million. East Kansas Agri-Power, with a single facility, was to obtain $5.4 million.

Dan Fischer, appearing state director of rural growth at USDA, stated the biofuel producer program was a part of the Coronavirus Support, Reduction and Financial Safety Act often known as the CARES Act. The USDA initiative was designed to assist maintain markets for Kansas producers of corn, soybean or biomass utilized in biofuel manufacturing.

“The pandemic disrupted the agricultural financial system by means of market interruptions,” Fischer stated. “The USDA is concentrating on assets to enhance the resiliency of crucial markets for Kansas farmers and ranchers.”

General, the CARES Act program for U.S. biofuel services appropriated grants to 195 manufacturing crops in 25 states.

Different Kansas recipients of federal help: Pratt Power, of Pratt, $4.1 million; Western Plains Power, of Oakley, $2.4 million; Kansas Ethanol, of Lyons, $2.1 million; Phillips County Ethanol Venture, of Phillipsburg, $1.7 million; Nesika Power, of Scandia, $1.3 million; and Purefield Substances, of Russell, $702,000.

As well as, two firms based mostly in Kansas acquired USDA help for services operated in different states. Trenton Agri Merchandise, of Wichita, acquired $2.6 million for a Nebraska plant. ICM Biofuels, of Colwich, acquired $1.2 million for a Missouri facility.