Biofuels Center of North Carolina Sets October Close Date

It went from a possibility, to a probability to a reality. The Biofuels Center of North Carolina is closing in the fall. North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed a budget cutting the Biofuels Center funding completely. Will Glenn, Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Biofuels Center:
 

“Unfortunately, that is the case, the Center, I would say, and a growing biofuels community state-wide and other companies share dismay and shock that North Carolina has visibly pulled back from being the nation’s lead state and also from its long-term commitment to comprehensive biofuels development.”
 

In the Center’s short history, they’ve accomplished quite a bit explains Glenn:
 

“The Center’s not very old, we began working in January 2008, in just that short time we’ve done some amazing things; including guiding and facilitating the Chemtex International facility, their $99 million loan guarantee which will translate into a $170 million investment in Sampson County, the first of many biofuels facilities in North Carolina. Also, we’ve funded 71 projects totaling more than $10 million to strengthen biofuels, growing technologies, projects and other production state-wide.”
 

One of the goals of the Biofuels Center was to find crops that would grow on marginal lands and animal waste spray fields that would be of economical benefit to both the farmer and the nation says Glenn:
 

“There is, unfortunately, a lot of marginal land in North Carolina and a long with that, like I said, growing biofuels is going to give those in rural in North Carolina another avenue to make money, to grow crops, whereas in the past they may have been growing tobacco, some are still growing tobacco, but this was a possibility to grow more crops on marginal lands, and also some new crops in North Carolina.”
 

Glenn explains that the projects currently underway will be wrapped up in short order:
 

“We understand the task, it’s a large task to close a complex organization, but we plan to close efficiently and effectively in over what would be about 90 days, by October 31st. do it in a very professional manner.”
 

The Biofuels Center employs 14, who are not state employees, therefore will not have an opportunity to transfer internally within state government.