The North Carolina Biotechnology Center is giving biotech development in the Triad a boost with a new round of grants totaling nearly $135,000.

The purpose of the grants is to “foster regional development of biotechnology,” the Center said in announcing the awards on Thursday.

Receiving grants are the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce for development of a Biotech Academy, Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, and Salem College.

The money was awarded through the Biotechnology Center’s Regional Development Grants Program. The Biotech Center has recently opened a series of offices across the state in an effort to enhance development of North Carolina’s biotech sector.

In a statement, the Biotech Center spelled out the grant details:

  • “The Greensboro Chamber of Commerce received $25,000 to create a ‘Biotechnology Academy’ with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Guilford Technical Community College and North Carolina A&T State University. The academy’s aim is to educate local business leaders and political leaders about how to nurture the industry in Greensboro. The project director is Allen Purser, the chamber’s senior vice president of public affairs.

  • “Forsyth Technical Community College received $72,776 to track student progress in the biotechnology training programs of Forsyth Tech and its partner, Alamance Community College. The project director is Dr. John N. Brzorad, biotechnology instructor at Forsyth Tech.

  • “Salem College in Winston-Salem received $36,861 to support undergraduate student internships and class projects with biotechnology companies and related industries in the Piedmont Triad.”

    The grants were made through the Biotechnology Center’s Regional Development Grants Program.

    The Biotechnology Center is a state-supported, non-profit corporation. Its mission is to provide long-term economic and societal benefits to North Carolina by supporting biotechnology research, business and education statewide.

    NC Biotech Center: www.ncbiotech.org