AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CONNECTICUT COMMUNITY MAKERSPACE INITIATIVE PROGRAM.
What changed between versions
The definition of 'financial assistance' was simplified by removing 'cash payments' from the list, and the definition of 'makerspace' was expanded to include access to educational materials for entrepreneurs and support for personal growth and early-stage business ventures.
Administrative responsibility shifted from the Department of Economic and Community Development to the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development throughout the bill, with updated application and reporting requirements.
Reporting requirements were revised to require annual reports from recipients to the commissioner, detailing progress on makerspace establishment or expansion and any additional information the commissioner deems necessary.
New provision added in Section 2 authorizes the Manufacturing Innovation Advisory Board to provide one million dollars from the Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Fund to support the makerspace pilot program.
Funding sources were updated to include public-private partnerships alongside existing grant programs and federal/state funds, and the total program cap remains at five million dollars with individual entity caps at two hundred fifty thousand dollars per fiscal year.