This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Under Secretary for Rural Development, to provide grants and direct or guaranteed loans to eligible entities to increase or expand domestic manufacturing, processing, and storage of fertilizer and nutrient alternatives. Eligible entities include independently owned for-profit businesses, nonprofits, producer-owned cooperatives or corporations, certified benefit corporations, Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations, and State or local governments located in the United States. Eligible applicants must follow applicable Federal, State, Tribal, and local regulations and certify they do not hold a market share greater than or equal to the fourth-largest firm for nitrogen, phosphate, potash, or combinations. The Secretary will give priority to projects that improve production methods and efficient-use technologies, dedicate added capacity to U.S. agricultural commodity production, or that increase competition and reduce prices or volatility. Allowed activities include building or buying facilities, predevelopment costs, working capital, modernizing facilities and equipment, installing emissions-reducing or efficiency equipment, packaging and safety compliance, workforce recruitment and training, and increasing domestic storage. Grants may be up to $100,000,000 and require non-Federal matching funds equal to the grant amount. Loans follow existing business and industry direct or guaranteed loan terms. Grants and loans may cover projects up to 5 years (extensions allowed). Recipients must repay a grant or loan if the company or most of its assets are sold or transferred within 10 years after project completion to an entity with market share at or above the fourth-largest firm. The Secretary may use Commodity Credit Corporation borrowing authority to fund the program and must ensure funds supplement, not supplant, other Federal, State, or local funds.
If you operate an eligible business, cooperative, nonprofit, tribal organization, or State/local government entity, you could apply for grant or loan money to build, buy, modernize, or expand fertilizer manufacturing, processing, or storage capacity in the United States. Successful grant applicants must provide an equal amount of non-Federal matching funds. Projects can pay for planning, construction, equipment, safety and environmental upgrades, and workforce training. Applicants must be located in the United States, follow all relevant regulations, and certify they are not a top market-share firm. If the funded company or facility is sold within 10 years after project completion to a large market-share firm, the recipient would have to repay the grant or loan.
The bill sets a per-grant cap of $100,000,000 and requires recipients of grants to provide non-Federal matching funds equal to the grant amount. Loans use existing USDA business loan terms. The Secretary may use Commodity Credit Corporation authority to provide funds. No publicly available information on the total program appropriation or the overall cost of the program is included in the bill text.
The bill text prioritizes projects that improve fertilizer production methods and efficient-use technologies, add U.S.-dedicated capacity for agricultural commodity production, improve competition, increase options for farmers, and reduce prices or price volatility. Supporters would present the program as a way to increase domestic production, encourage innovation, and strengthen supply options for farmers.
No publicly available information.