U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Wednesday that the USDA is making domestic fertilizer production investments in nine states to increase competition, lower fertilizer costs for American farmers and lower food costs for U.S. consumers.
”When we invest in domestic supply chains, we drive down input costs and increase options for farmers,” Secretary Vilsack said. “Through today’s investments to make more fertilizer, USDA is bringing jobs back to the United States, lowering costs for families, and supporting farmer income.”
The Michigan Potash Company LLC, which is family-owned, will use an $80 million grant to construct a facility in Osceola County. This expansion effort is expected to yield 400,000 tons per year of high-grade potash.
USDA awarded more than $116 million through the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP) to help facilities in nine states. FPEP is funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation and provides funding to independent business owners to help them modernize equipment, adopt new technologies, build production plants and more.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas.