The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded $323,483 in the third round of the “Fueling Our Future 100” initiative, the Branstad administration announced. The funding will help install 13 new blender pumps and two underground storage tanks at five sites to distribute higher blends of renewable fuels. In Central Iowa, Best Food Mart on Northeast 14th Street in Des Moines and a Kum & Go on East 13th Street in Ames will receive equipment. In total, 226 blender pumps and 26 underground storage tanks will be installed at 78 sites by 20 companies to provide consumers with access to higher blends of ethanol through the program. The program is funded by a $5 million competitive grant from the USDA Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership program; all funds must be matched by nonfederal funds, including up to $2.5 million from the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure program. The fueling sites applying for assistance will also be required to provide a minimum of $2.5 million.