Lee Enterprises Consulting adds alternative fuels grant writer

Alternative fuels consulting group Lee Enterprises of Little Rock, Ark., announced the addition of Amy Light Mills as its newest grant writer. Mills has a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honors in Agricultural Economics, a Juris Doctorate, and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Missouri. Mills is a licensed attorney in Missouri and owns ALM Business & Legal Services LLC.  Mills previously worked providing entrepreneurial programs with the University of Missouri, Missouri University of Science & Technology and served as legal counsel for the Missouri Attorney General’s Office and the Missouri Department of Revenue. 

Lee Enterprises Consulting is the world’s largest alternative fuels consulting group with specialists in many areas. CEO Wayne Lee noted that he selects professionals for the team that are imminently qualified in their specialties; diligent enough to stay abreast of the most current trends; and personable enough to communicate well with clients. “Amy fits our team nicely,” he said. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our grant writing capabilities.” Lee said that as with other industries, the alternative fuels industry is dependent on the availability of proper financing, and that grants will always be an integral part of that process. “With the uncertainty of tax credits in the industry, grants have become even more of a focal point for many plants as they explore funding options,” Lee explained. “The addition of an experienced professional grant writer with Amy’s credentials comes at a good time.” 

Mills said her affiliation with the group will be mutually beneficial. “I know the group well and am proud to be associated with them,” she said. “I know they will rely on me to keep them abreast of the grants and government financing available to alternative fuels clients,” she added. “From a grant writing perspective, it is also very helpful for me to have such a wide array of industry knowledge to draw on.” Mills noted that her first order of business with the consulting group was to give them a breakdown of those grants currently available and those she expects to be coming up in the near future.

Mills has written numerous successful grants for the Small Business Administration, USDA (Value Added Producer Grants & REAP/9007 REP), Rural Business Opportunity Grant, and Rural Beginning Enterprise Grants. She said that many of these grants are still heavily relied upon in the alternative fuels industry. 

Lee Enterprises is a biodiesel consulting firm specializing in project oversight and management, feasibility studies, grants, business plans, and assistance with planning, market analysis, site evaluation, feedstock selection and procurement, process technology, evaluation, offtake distribution, RINs, financing, capital budgeting, cold soak filtration, personnel, and contract negotiations (for feedstock, offtake, transportation, construction, site purchase/lease, and plant management). The group also owns National Business Brokerage Inc., a full-service business brokerage firm specializing in the buying and selling of biodiesel plants.