OXFORD, N.C.--The Biofuels Center of North Carolina announced it will award up to $341,000 for projects that address identified areas of critical need related to the acceleration of the renewable fuels industry in western North Carolina. The second round of the 2013 targeted biofuels development funding program—Catalyzing Products in Western North Carolina—utilizes Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) settlement funds that were directed to the Center by the North Carolina General Assembly in the 2012 legislative session. Awards will be determined through a competitive, peer-review process. Expert panels comprised of industry, nonprofits, and state agency representatives will review applications and make funding recommendations for approval by the Biofuels Center Executive Committee. The deadline for bid submissions is Tuesday, 30 July 2013.
Through the targeted funding program, the Center seeks western projects that address specific areas of need required to move the biofuels sector from early intentions to larger outcomes. Each eligible project has detailed specifications.
The program will fund projects based in or directly benefiting one or more of the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Davie, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey.
The western region of the state holds large potential for biofuels crop-growing and production, said Biofuels Center president and CEO Steven Burke. “Western North Carolina’s wood and crop resources, growing public and private participants, and strong commitment can fortify biofuels development in coming years. We expect significant results from this second round of targeted funding program to support those resources in western North Carolina.”
The Biofuels Center awarded $684,058 to western North Carolina partners in the first round of its 2013 grants program on 4 April 2013.
Strengthening and funding capabilities statewide for biofuels production is a prime task of the Biofuels Center, a private nonprofit corporation funded by the North Carolina General Assembly to develop large capacity for biofuels statewide in coming years. The Center, located on North Carolina’s Biofuels Campus in Oxford, implements sustained state policy, assists companies and all parties within the biofuels community, and works to meet North Carolina’s goal: By 2017, 10 percent of the state’s liquid transportation fuels will come from biofuels grown and produced within the state.
