Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman has announced more than $75 million for economic development, energy and infrastructure projects to help spur investment and create new jobs in rural America. This includes:
$37 million to support 231 renewable energy, marketing and value-added projects in 43 states.
$27 million for rural education and telemedicine projects.
$12 million to support low-income housing and community projects in rural areas.
In addition, the National Corn Growers Association just received a $2.4 million Department of Energy (DOE) grant to continue, along with its partners, research on renewable fuels.
And, an industry consortium received $19 million in matching funds from DOE to research ethanol and value-added chemicals from renewable resources such as corn. Included in the group are DuPont, Diversa Corp., the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Michigan State University and Deere & Co.