By Thomas Content 

A state training grant of more than $463,000 announced Wednesday will help train workers in northern Wisconsin for production of biofuels.

The announcement was made by Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman during a visit to Flambeau River Papers in Park Falls. Flambeau announced plans earlier this year to open a $250 million biorefinery at its paper mill by 2013.

The grant was awarded to the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board, which is focused on training for a variety of companies including Flambeau.

Also this week, the state Department of Commerce awarded Sun Power Biodiesel of Cumberland an $800,000 state loan funded by the federal stimulus package for Sun Power’s expansion.

The loan is part of an assistance package that also includes a $349,825 Community Development Block Grant for the the city of Cumberland to provide infrastructure for the project.

Sun Power Biodiesel is a cold flow biodiesel producer founded in 2005. The biodiesel is produced from oil from canola seeds. The company will use the funds from the $55 million State Energy Program to buy equipment and working capital, according to the state Department of Commerce.