Report posted Dec. 29, 2009, at 10:12 a.m. CST

The North Carolina Board of Science & Technology is currently accepting proposals for the state's 2009-'10 Green Business Fund grant program. The fund, developed to promote environmentally friendly economic growth in North Carolina, will award grants to small- and medium-sized businesses (those with 100 or fewer employees) in three priority areas, including the biofuels industry, the green building industry and the renewable energy industry. Pre-proposals are due by Jan. 19. The solicitation period closes March 15.

According to the board, grants made in the biofuels category will target projects that maximize the development, production, distribution, retail infrastructure and consumer purchase of biofuels, as well as workforce development. Funding preference will be given to projects that directly benefit small-to-medium-sized businesses as well as save energy and/or generate renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create or retain jobs in economically distressed regions. Eligible projects must be based in North Carolina.

Funding for the 2010 grant program is being provided via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. More than $1 million of ARRA funding was utilized for Green Business Fund grants in 2009. Eighteen projects received grants ranging in amounts from $31,985 to $100,000 during the second round of 2009 grants. None of the projects selected to receive funding were ethanol projects.

Interested applicants are encouraged to complete an online pre-proposal at http://www.ncscitech.com/scigrants.htm. The board will then determine if the proposed projects meets eligibility requirements before inviting the applicant to continue with the grant process.