(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- The United States Department of Agriculture announced $9.6 million in funding for an additional 9,000 acres for non-food energy production.  Nearly half of the additional acreage allocation is in North Carolina.

One of the two new Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) project areas is sponsored by Chemtex International Inc. The company will grow more than 4,000 acres of crops for biofuels. The project is expected to create 65 jobs with an indirect impact on the creation of 250 other jobs.

"Increasing the production of renewable, home-grown fuels is vital to reducing our country's reliance on foreign oil, while creating good-paying jobs and diversifying the agriculture economy," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The sign-up period for the project will begin June 18, 2012. The deadline to sign up for the project areas is Friday, Sept. 14, 2012.  Producers interested in participating should visit their local Farm Service Agency county office. Information about BCAP may be found at www.fsa.usda.gov/bcap.