Gov. Bev Perdue recently signed House Bill 1481 to strengthen state energy policy leadership and announced 14 Green Business Fund grants, significant steps forward in her JobsNOW Green Economy Plan.

Aerofab Manufacturing Corporation of Apex was included among the grant recipients.

The business received a $45,434 grant for factory placement of enhanced medialess indoor air quality mist eliminators in North Carolina metalworking shops.

North Carolina ranks eighth in the nation for the number of metalworking facilities. Mists generated by metalworking machines contain hazardous materials and must be filtered to meet federal air quality standards.

This project will place a new “green” filtration technology in large metalworking facilities in the state. This technology recovers almost all of the metalworking fluids generated in the form of mist while returning air to the plant that far exceeds federal air quality minimum standards.

Perdue’s actions are part of a three-pronged strategy to make North Carolina a leader in green economy jobs by strengthening state leadership in energy policy, making smart investments to create jobs and foster innovation, and providing green-collar workforce training.

“Strong leadership and smart investments are essential to laying a foundation for North Carolina to create green jobs, support green innovation and promote a sustainable future for our state’s economy and environment,” Perdue said. “Turning green into gold is a central part of my JobsNOW initiative and of my vision to grow North Carolina’s long-term economy.”

This is the second annual round of grants from the fund, which helps small businesses, nonprofits and other agencies develop and commercialize environmentally friendly and energy-related products and services.

As lieutenant governor, Perdue proposed the legislation creating the Green Business Fund, which the General Assembly approved in 2007. The funding available each year so far has been $1 million.

Additionally, as part of the governor’s plan, the recently passed state budget includes $5 million in federal recovery money for the Green Business Fund.