Upgrade Community College Technology

Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature hereby finds that significant employment opportunities exist in growing fields where complex technologies require advanced skills. Access to modern, efficient facilities and equipment will provide students with the ability to learn about, develop and apply new technologies. Having access to these modern facilities and equipment will provide students with the knowledge and skill required for employment in the ever-expanding high-technology sector or in other sectors of the economy, including manufacturing and service, that utilize advanced, high-technology-related processes. The legislature finds that it is proper and essential for the state to support efforts that will provide students with updated and modern facilities and equipment where skills can be learned in a setting that best matches the workplaces for which the students are being prepared. The legislature also finds and declares that a well-trained and skilled workforce will attract businesses seeking to enhance production, modernize or expand as well as start up or relocate to New York state.

The legislature hereby authorizes the creation of the community college high-technology investment program (C-CHIP).

§ 2. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 3154-a to read as follows:

EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

[ ] is old law to be omitted.

LBD01166-01-7

A. 1157 2

§ 3154-a. Community college high-technology investment program. 1. A community college high-technology investment program (hereafter referred to as C-CHIP) is hereby created.

2. The foundation shall, from appropriations made available for this purpose or from appropriations for the research development program authorized under section two hundred nine-p of the executive law, award grants of up to one hundred thousand dollars to community colleges for reconstructing, rehabilitating or improving existing laboratory facilities and for acquisition or upgrades of equipment necessary to provide targeted educational, occupational or training services to students seeking associate degrees or workers seeking occupation-specific training in order to obtain or retain employment and for costs incurred by the institution for salaries and benefits of faculty directly engaged in relevant educational activities pursuant to this section. Such grants shall be awarded on a competitive basis to community colleges responding to requests for proposals issued by the office.

3. Applications for grants authorized under this section shall describe the grant program activities and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) demonstration of need in the region for skilled workers in the high-technology fields;

(b) evidence of any collaboration with a New York state four-year institution or New York state business including, (i) a detailed description of the skill needs of the institution or business; (ii) a detailed description of equipment and other training resources required;

(c) a detailed budget including costs to reconstruct, rehabilitate or improve existing laboratory facilities, including equipment;

(d) a description of matching funds that may include cash or in-kind services from federal or private sources; and

(e) salaries and benefits of faculty directly engaged in relevant employment, educational and training activities pursuant to this section.

4. The executive director shall submit to the governor, the speaker of the assembly, and the temporary president of the senate a report on the program by the first of September, two thousand eighteen and annually thereafter. Such report shall include the following for each recipient under the program:

(a) the names of community colleges receiving awards;

(b) the amounts of each award and matching funds;

(c) a description of equipment purchases and facility upgrades;

(d) the number of students or workers participating in training enabled by the program;

(e) employment or other outcomes, including, but not limited to, job retention, enabled by the award; and

(f) any other information deemed appropriate by the executive director.

§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.