Three northeast Washington companies have been awarded stimulus grants and loans worth $3.2 million.

Demand Energy Networks of Spokane will receive a $1.5 million grant to commercialize its electricity storage and network management software. The money will help the company retain or create 93 jobs, according to a release from the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

Borgford Bioenergy in Stevens County will receive a $231,422 grant and $771,406 loan to help finance a wood gasification plant that will produce energy as well as biochar, as soil additive. Twenty-seven jobs will be kept or added.

In Pend Oreille County, the Ponderay Newsprint Inc. mill will use a $418,228 grant and $1.4 million loan to upgrade controls. The energy savings will help preserve 184 jobs.

A total 13 projects statewide were awarded $16.5 million in federal stimulus money that will save or add 271 jobs.

 

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