West Virginia State University receives $100,000 business promotion grant

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of 15 historically African-American land-grant educational institutions in 14 states to receive $1.5 million in economic development and business promotion grants.

The grants, provided through USDA Rural Development, will help create businesses, promote cooperatives and provide jobs. The recipients are among the 18 institutions supported under the Second Morrill Act of 1890, a law providing for the establishment of land-grant institutions focusing on agriculture, home economics and the mechanic arts.

West Virginia State University, in Institute, W.Va., plans to use part of its $100,000 award to help the West Virginia Biofuels Farmers Cooperative collect used cooking oil and refine it into renewable energy. It also will work with an economic development agency in Webster County to provide office space, shipping equipment and publicity for about 15 start-up businesses.