Bill Text: CT HB05358 | 2010 | General Assembly | Comm Sub
Bill Title: An Act Concerning Revisions To Economic Development Statutes.
Spectrum: Committee Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-04-13 - Referred by House to Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding [HB05358 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2010-HB05358-Comm_Sub.html
General Assembly |
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February Session, 2010 |
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AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STATUTES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subdivision (59) of section 12-81 of the 2010 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2010, and applicable to assessment years commencing on and after October 1, 2010):
(59) (a) Any manufacturing facility, as defined in section 32-9p, as amended by this act, acquired, constructed, substantially renovated or expanded on or after July 1, 1978, in a distressed municipality, as defined in said section or in a targeted investment community, as defined in section 32-222, or in an enterprise zone designated pursuant to section 32-70 and for which an eligibility certificate has been issued by the Department of Economic and Community Development, and any manufacturing plant designated by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development under subsection (a) of section 32-75c as follows: To the extent of eighty per cent of its valuation for purposes of assessment in each of the five full assessment years following the assessment year in which the acquisition, construction, renovation or expansion of the manufacturing facility is completed, except that a manufacturing facility having a [standard industrial classification code of 2833 or 2834] North American Industrial Classification Code of 325411 or 325412 and having at least one thousand full-time employees, as defined in subsection (f) of section 32-9j, as amended by this act, shall be eligible to have the assessment period extended for five additional years upon approval of the commissioner, in accordance with all applicable regulations, provided such full-time employees have not been relocated from another facility in the state operated by the same eligible applicant;
(b) Any service facility, as defined in section 32-9p, as amended by this act, acquired, constructed, substantially renovated or expanded on or after July 1, 1996, and for which an eligibility certificate has been issued by the Department of Economic and Community Development, as follows: (i) In the case of an investment of twenty million dollars or more but not more than thirty-nine million dollars in the service facility, to the extent of forty per cent of its valuation for purposes of assessment in each of the five full assessment years following the assessment year in which the acquisition, construction, renovation or expansion of the service facility is completed; (ii) in the case of an investment of more than thirty-nine million dollars but not more than fifty-nine million dollars in the service facility, to the extent of fifty per cent of its valuation for purposes of assessment in each of the five full assessment years following the assessment year in which the acquisition, construction, renovation or expansion of the service facility is completed; (iii) in the case of an investment of more than fifty-nine million dollars but not more than seventy-nine million dollars in the service facility, to the extent of sixty per cent of its valuation for purposes of assessment in each of the five full assessment years following the assessment year in which the acquisition, construction, renovation or expansion of the service facility is completed; (iv) in the case of an investment of more than seventy-nine million dollars but not more than ninety million dollars in the service facility, to the extent of seventy per cent of its valuation for purposes of assessment in each of the five full assessment years following the assessment year in which the acquisition, construction, renovation or expansion of the service facility is completed; or (v) in the case of an investment of more than ninety million dollars in the service facility, to the extent of eighty per cent of its valuation for purposes of assessment in each of the five full assessment years following the assessment year in which the acquisition, construction, renovation or expansion of the service facility is completed, except that any financial institution, as defined in section 12-217u, having at least four thousand qualified employees, as determined in accordance with an agreement pursuant to subdivision (3) of subsection (n) of section 12-217u, shall be eligible to have the assessment period extended for five additional years upon approval of the commissioner, in accordance with all applicable regulations, provided such full-time employees have not been relocated from another facility in the state operated by the same eligible applicant. In no event shall the definition of qualified employee be more favorable to the employer than the definition provided in section 12-217u;
(c) The completion date of a manufacturing facility, manufacturing plant or a service facility will be determined by the Department of Economic and Community Development taking into account the issuance of occupancy certificates and such other factors as it deems relevant. In the case of a manufacturing facility, manufacturing plant or a service facility which consists of a constructed, renovated or expanded portion of an existing plant, the assessed valuation of the facility or manufacturing plant is the difference between the assessed valuation of the plant prior to its being improved and the assessed valuation of the plant upon completion of the improvements. In the case of a manufacturing facility, manufacturing plant or a service facility which consists of an acquired portion of an existing plant, the assessed valuation of the facility or manufacturing plant is the assessed valuation of the portion acquired. This exemption shall be applicable during each such assessment year regardless of any change in the ownership or occupancy of the facility or manufacturing plant. If during any such assessment year, however, any facility for which an eligibility certificate has been issued ceases to qualify as a manufacturing facility, manufacturing plant or a service facility, the entitlement to the exemption allowed by this subdivision shall terminate for the assessment year following the date on which the qualification ceases, and there shall not be a pro rata application of the exemption. Any person who desires to claim the exemption provided in this subdivision shall file annually with the assessor or board of assessors in the distressed municipality, targeted investment community or enterprise zone designated pursuant to section 32-70 in which the manufacturing facility or service facility is located, on or before the first day of November, written application claiming such exemption on a form prescribed by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. Failure to file such application in this manner and form within the time limit prescribed shall constitute a waiver of the right to such exemption for such assessment year, unless an extension of time is allowed pursuant to section 12-81k, and upon payment of the required fee for late filing;
Sec. 2. Section 12-81u of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2010, and applicable to assessment years commencing on and after October 1, 2010):
Any municipality may, by vote of its legislative body or, in a municipality where the legislative body is a town meeting, by vote of the board of selectmen, abate up to one hundred per cent of the property taxes due for any tax year with respect to real or personal property of any communications establishment [included in major group 48, in the Standard Industrial Classification Manual, United States Office of Management and Budget, 1987 edition] with a North American Industrial Classification code of 515111, 515112, 515120, 515210, 517110 or 517410.
Sec. 3. Section 32-9j of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2010):
For the purposes of sections 32-9i to 32-9l, inclusive, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates another meaning and intent:
(a) "Eligible municipality" means any municipality in the state which is a distressed municipality as defined in subsection (b) of section 32-9p, as amended by this act, and any other municipality in the state which has a population of not less than ten thousand and which has a rate of unemployment which exceeds one hundred ten per cent of the state's average rate of unemployment, as determined by the Labor Department, for the calendar year preceding the determination of eligibility, provided no such other municipality with an unemployment rate of less than six per cent shall be eligible. Eligible municipalities shall be designated by the Department of Economic and Community Development.
(b) "Eligible business facility" means (1) a business facility located in an eligible municipality and for which a certificate of eligibility or commitment letter has been issued by the department prior to March 1, 1991; or (2) a business facility for which a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the department and which is located in an enterprise zone designated pursuant to section 32-70. A business facility for which such a certificate is issued shall be deemed an eligible business facility only during the twenty-four-month period following the day on which the certificate of eligibility is issued. A business facility may not become an eligible business facility for the purposes of sections 32-9i to 32-9l, inclusive, unless it meets each of the following requirements: (A) It is a facility which does not primarily serve said eligible municipality in which it is located. A facility shall be deemed to meet this requirement if it is used primarily for the manufacturing, processing or assembling of raw materials or manufactured products, or for research or industrial warehousing, or any combination thereof or, if located in an enterprise zone designated pursuant to section 32-70, it is to be used by an establishment, an auxiliary or an operating unit of an establishment, [as such terms are defined in the Standard Industrial Classification Manual, in the categories of depository institutions, nondepository credit institutions, insurance carriers, holding or other investment offices, business services, health services, fishing, hunting and trapping, motor freight transportation and warehousing, water transportation, transportation by air, transportation services, security and commodity brokers, dealers, exchanges and services or engineering, accounting, research, management and related services from the Standard Industrial Classification Manual, which establishment, auxiliary or operating unit shows a strong performance in exporting goods and services, as defined by the commissioner through regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54] which is an economic base business as defined in subsection (d) of section 32-222 or has a North American Industrial Classification code of 114111 through 114210, 311111 through 339999 or 482111 through 484230, 488310, 488320, 488991, 493120, 493130, 493190, 511210, 512110, 512120, 512191, 522210, 522293, 522294, 522298, 522310, 522320, 522390, 523110, 523120, 523130, 523140, 523210, 523910, 524113, 524114, 524126, 524127, 524128, 524130, 524292, 541711, 541712, 551111, 551112, 551114, 561422, 611310, 611410, 611420, 611430, 611513, 611519, 611710 and 624410 or any business that is part of an economic cluster, as defined in subsection (e) of section 32-222, or any establishment or auxiliary or operating unit thereof, as defined in the North American Industrial Classification System Manual. A facility shall not be deemed to meet this requirement if (i) it is used primarily in making retail sales of goods or services to customers who personally visit such facility to obtain such goods or services, or (ii) it is used primarily as a hotel, apartment house or other place of business which furnishes dwelling space or accommodations to either residents or transients; (B) it is a facility which is newly constructed or has undergone major expansion or renovation as determined by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, and (C) it is a facility which will create in the eligible municipality in which it is located, as a direct result of such construction, expansion or renovation, not less than five new employment positions, or in the case of a facility located in an enterprise zone designated pursuant to section 32-70, not less than three new employment positions in the enterprise zone.
(c) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development.
(d) "Department" means the Department of Economic and Community Development.
(e) "Eligibility period" means the twenty-four-month period following the day on which the certificate of eligibility is issued.
(f) "Full-time employee" means an employee who works a minimum of thirty-five hours per week.
Sec. 4. Section 32-9p of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2010):
As used in subdivisions (59) and (60) of section 12-81, as amended by this act, and sections 12-217e, 32-9p to 32-9s, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 32-23p, the following words and terms have the following meanings:
(a) "Area of high unemployment" means, as of the date of any final and official determination by the authority or the department to extend assistance under said sections, any municipality which is a distressed municipality as defined in subsection (b) of this section, and any other municipality in the state which in the calendar year preceding such determination had a rate of unemployment which exceeded one hundred ten per cent of the average rate of unemployment in the state for the same calendar year, as determined by the Labor Department, provided no such other municipality with an unemployment rate of less than six per cent shall be an area of high unemployment.
(b) "Distressed municipality" means, as of the date of the issuance of an eligibility certificate, any municipality in the state which, according to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development meets the necessary number of quantitative physical and economic distress thresholds which are then applicable for eligibility for the urban development action grant program under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1977, as amended, or any town within which is located an unconsolidated city or borough which meets such distress thresholds. Any municipality which, at any time subsequent to July 1, 1978, has met such thresholds but which at any time thereafter fails to meet such thresholds, according to said department, shall be deemed to be a distressed municipality for a period of five years subsequent to the date of the determination that such municipality fails to meet such thresholds, unless such municipality elects to terminate its designation as a "distressed municipality", by vote of its legislative body, not later than September 1, 1985, or not later than three months after receiving notification from the commissioner that it no longer meets such thresholds, whichever is later. In the event a distressed municipality elects to terminate its designation, the municipality shall notify the commissioner and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management in writing within thirty days. In the event that the commissioner determines that amendatory federal legislation or administrative regulation has materially changed the distress thresholds thereby established, "distressed municipality" shall mean any municipality in the state which meets comparable thresholds of distress which are then applicable in the areas of high unemployment and poverty, aging housing stock and low or declining rates of growth in job creation, population and per capita income as established by the commissioner, consistent with the purposes of subdivisions (59) and (60) of section 12-81, as amended by this act, and sections 12-217e, 32-9p to 32-9s, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 32-23p, in regulations adopted in accordance with chapter 54. For purposes of sections 32-9p to 32-9s, inclusive, as amended by this act, "distressed municipality" shall also mean any municipality adversely impacted by a major plant closing, relocation or layoff, provided the eligibility of a municipality shall not exceed two years from the date of such closing, relocation or layoff. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, which define what constitutes a "major plant closing, relocation or layoff" for purposes of sections 32-9p to 32-9s, inclusive, as amended by this act. "Distressed municipality" shall also mean the portion of any municipality which is eligible for designation as an enterprise zone pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 32-70.
(c) "Eligibility certificate" means a certificate issued by the department pursuant to section 32-9r, as amended by this act, evidencing its determination that a facility for which an application for assistance has been submitted qualifies as a manufacturing facility and is eligible for assistance under section 12-217e and subdivisions (59) and (60) of section 12-81, as amended by this act.
(d) "Manufacturing facility" means any plant, building, other real property improvement, or part thereof, (1) which (A) is constructed or substantially renovated or expanded on or after July 1, 1978, in a distressed municipality, a targeted investment community as defined in section 32-222, or an enterprise zone designated pursuant to section 32-70, or (B) is acquired on or after July 1, 1978, in a distressed municipality, a targeted investment community as defined in section 32-222, or an enterprise zone designated pursuant to said section 32-70, by a business organization which is unrelated to and unaffiliated with the seller, after having been idle for at least one year prior to its acquisition and regardless of its previous use; (2) which is to be used for the manufacturing, processing or assembling of raw materials, parts or manufactured products, for research and development facilities directly related to manufacturing, for the significant servicing, overhauling or rebuilding of machinery and equipment for industrial use, or, except as provided in this subsection, for warehousing and distribution or, (A) if located in an enterprise zone designated pursuant to said section 32-70, which is to be used by an establishment, an auxiliary or an operating unit of an establishment, [as such terms are defined in the Standard Industrial Classification Manual, in the categories of depository institutions, nondepository credit institutions, insurance carriers, holding or other investment offices, business services, health services, fishing, hunting and trapping, motor freight transportation and warehousing, water transportation, transportation by air, transportation services, security and commodity brokers, dealers, exchanges and services, telemarketing or engineering, accounting, research, management and related services including, but not limited to, management consulting services from the Standard Industrial Classification Manual or in Sector 48, 49, 52, 54, 55, or 62, Subsector 114 or 561, or industry group 5621 in the North American Industrial Classification System, United States Manual, United States Office of Management and Budget, 1997 edition, which establishment, auxiliary or operating unit shows a strong performance in exporting goods and services, and as further defined by the commissioner through regulations adopted under chapter 54] which is an economic base business as defined in subsection (d) of section 32-222 or has a North American Industrial Classification code of 114111 through 114210, 311111 through 339999 or 482111 through 484230, 488310, 488320, 488991, 493120, 493130, 493190, 511210, 512110, 512120, 512191, 522210, 522293, 522294, 522298, 522310, 522320, 522390, 523110, 523120, 523130, 523140, 523210, 523910, 524113, 524114, 524126, 524127, 524128, 524130, 524292, 541711, 541712, 551111, 551112, 551114, 561422, 611310, 611410, 611420, 611430, 611513, 611519, 611710 and 624410 or any business that is part of an economic cluster, as defined in subsection (e) of section 32-222, or any establishment or auxiliary or operating unit thereof, as defined in the North American Industrial Classification System Manual, or (B) if located in an enterprise zone designated pursuant to said section 32-70, which is to be used by an establishment primarily engaged in supplying goods or services in the fields of computer hardware or software, computer networking, telecommunications or communications, or (C) if located in a municipality with an entertainment district designated under section 32-76 or established under section 2 of public act 93-311, is to be used in the production of entertainment products, including multimedia products, or as part of the airing, display or provision of live entertainment for stage or broadcast, including support services such as set manufacturers, scenery makers, sound and video equipment providers and manufacturers, stage and screen writers, providers of capital for the entertainment industry and agents for talent, writers, producers and music properties and technological infrastructure support including, but not limited to, fiber optics, necessary to support multimedia and other entertainment formats, except entertainment provided by or shown at a gambling or gaming facility or a facility whose primary business is the sale or serving of alcoholic beverages; and (3) for which the department has issued an eligibility certificate in accordance with section 32-9r, as amended by this act. In the case of facilities which are acquired, the department may waive the requirement of one year of idleness if it determines that, absent qualification as a manufacturing facility under subdivisions (59) and (60) of section 12-81, as amended by this act, and sections 12-217e, 32-9p to 32-9s, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 32-23p, there is a high likelihood that the facility will remain idle for one year. In the case of facilities located in an enterprise zone designated pursuant to said section 32-70, (A) the idleness requirement in subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection, for business organizations which over the six months preceding such acquisition have had an average total employment of between six and nineteen employees, inclusive, shall be reduced to a minimum of six months, and (B) the idleness requirement shall not apply to business organizations with an average total employment of five or fewer employees, provided no more than one eligibility certificate shall be issued under this subparagraph for the same facility within a three-year period. Of those facilities which are for warehousing and distribution, only those which are newly constructed or which represent an expansion of an existing facility qualify as manufacturing facilities. In the event that only a portion of a plant is acquired, constructed, renovated or expanded, only the portion acquired, constructed, renovated or expanded constitutes the manufacturing facility. A manufacturing facility which is leased may for the purposes of subdivisions (59) and (60) of section 12-81, as amended by this act, and sections 12-217e, 32-9p to 32-9s, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 32-23p, be treated in the same manner as a facility which is acquired if the provisions of the lease serve to further the purposes of subdivisions (59) and (60) of section 12-81, as amended by this act, and sections 12-217e, 32-9p to 32-9s, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 32-23p and demonstrate a substantial, long-term commitment by the occupant to use the manufacturing facility, including a contract for lease for an initial minimum term of five years with provisions for the extension of the lease at the request of the lessee for an aggregate term which shall not be less than ten years, or the right of the lessee to purchase the facility at any time after the initial five-year term, or both. For a facility located in an enterprise zone designated pursuant to said section 32-70, and occupied by a business organization with an average total employment of ten or fewer employees over the six-month period preceding acquisition, such contract for lease may be for an initial minimum term of three years with provisions for the extension of the lease at the request of the lessee for an aggregate term which shall not be less than six years, or the right of the lessee to purchase the facility at any time after the initial three-year term, or both, and may also include the right for the lessee to relocate to other space within the same enterprise zone, provided such space is under the same ownership or control as the originally leased space or if such space is not under such same ownership or control as the originally leased space, permission to relocate is granted by the lessor of such originally leased space, and such relocation shall not extend the duration of benefits granted under the original eligibility certificate. Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection, a manufacturing facility does not include any plant, building, other real property improvement or part thereof used or usable for such purposes which existed before July 1, 1978.
(e) "Service facility" means a [manufacturing] facility described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of this section, provided such facility is located outside of an enterprise zone in a targeted investment community.
(f) "Authority", "capital reserve fund bond", "commissioner", "department", "industrial project" and "insurance fund" shall have the meaning such words and terms are given in section 32-23d.
(g) "Municipality" means any town, city or borough in the state.
Sec. 5. Subsection (f) of section 32-9r of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2010):
(f) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to carry out the provisions of this section. Such regulations shall provide that establishments in the category of business support services, as defined in [the Standard Industrial Classification Manual] subsection (b) of section 32-222, or manufacturing facilities, as defined in subsection (d) of section 32-9p, as amended by this act, may be eligible for a certificate if they are located in an enterprise zone.
Sec. 6. Subdivision (1) of subsection (g) of section 32-9t of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2010):
(g) (1) The commissioner, upon consideration of the application, the revenue impact assessment and any additional information that the commissioner requires concerning a proposed investment, may approve an investment if the commissioner concludes that the project in which such investment is to be made is an eligible urban reinvestment project or an eligible industrial site investment project. If the commissioner rejects an application, the commissioner shall specifically identify the defects in the application and specifically explain the reasons for the rejection. The commissioner shall render a decision on an application not later than ninety days from its receipt. The amount of the investment so approved shall not exceed the greater of: (A) The amount of state revenue that will be generated according to the revenue impact assessment prepared under this subsection; or (B) the total of state revenue and local revenue generated according to such assessment in the case of a manufacturing business with [standard industrial classification codes of 3999, 2099, 2992 and 2834 which] North American Industrial Classification codes of 339999, 311211 through 312140, 324191 and 325412 that is relocating to a site in Connecticut from out-of-state, provided the relocation will result in new development of at least seven hundred twenty-five thousand square feet in a state-sponsored industrial park.
Sec. 7. Subsection (d) of section 16a-40b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2010):
(d) With respect to such loans made on or after July 1, 1981, all repayments of principal shall be [paid to the State Treasurer for deposit in the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund] deposited into the Energy Conservation Loan Fund established pursuant to section 16a-40a. The interest applicable to any such loans made shall be paid to the State Treasurer for deposit in the General Fund. After the close of each fiscal year, commencing with the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1992, and prior to the date of the calculation required under subsection (f) of this section, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall cause any balance of loan repayments under this section remaining in said fund to be transferred to the Energy Conservation Loan Fund created pursuant to section 16a-40a.
Sec. 8. Subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 8-37qq of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2010):
(B) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any public or special act to the contrary, except as provided in this subsection, loans for any bond-financed state housing program which the ultimate recipient is obligated to repay to the state, with or without interest, may be paid out of moneys deposited in the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund without the prior approval of the State Bond Commission, subject to the approval of the Governor of an allotment. [All payments on energy conservation loans pursuant to said section 16a-40b shall be accounted for separately from other moneys in the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund, and shall be used to make further loans pursuant to said section 16a-40b and to pay any administrative expense attributable to such loans.]
Sec. 9. Subdivision (3) of section 38a-88a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2010):
(3) "New job" means a job that did not exist in the business of a subject insurance business in this state prior to the subject insurance business's application to the commissioner for an eligibility certificate under this section for a new facility and that is filled by a new employee, but does not include a job created when an employee is shifted from an existing location of the subject insurance business in this state to a new facility or was the result of a merger or acquisition between the insurance business and another business located in the state;
Sec. 10. Section 32-345 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2010):
(a) The Department of Economic and Community Development may establish a Connecticut development research and economic assistance matching grant program, within available appropriations and, for the purposes of providing financial aid, as defined in subdivision (4) of section 32-34, to assist: (1) Connecticut small businesses in conducting marketing-related activities to facilitate commercialization of research projects funded under the small business innovation research program or the small business technology transfer program; (2) business-led consortia or Connecticut businesses in connection with their participation in a federal technology support program; and (3) micro businesses, in conducting development and research. The department may enter into an agreement, pursuant to chapter 55a, with a person, firm, corporation or other entity to operate such program.
(b) Applications shall be submitted in the manner prescribed by the department. Each such application shall include the following: (1) The location of the principal place of business of the applicant; (2) an explanation of the intended use of the funding being applied for, the potential market for the end product of the project and the marketing strategy; and (3) such other information that the department deems necessary. Information contained in any such application submitted to the department under this section which is of a proprietary nature shall be exempt from the provisions of subsection (a) of section 1-210.
(c) In determining whether an applicant shall be selected for funding pursuant to this section, the department, or the operator, if any, selected pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, shall consider, but such consideration need not be limited to, the following factors: (1) The description of the small business innovation research project, the small business technology transfer project or the federally-supported technology project and the potential commercial applicability of such project; (2) evidence of satisfactory participation in the applicable small business innovation research program, the small business technology transfer program or the federal technology support program; (3) the potential impact of such research project on the workforce in the region where such small business is located; (4) the size of the potential market, strength of the marketing strategy, and ability of the applicant to execute the strategy and successfully commercialize the end product; and (5) the resources and record of success of the company relative to development and commercialization. Within the availability of funds, the department may provide financial aid to eligible applicants provided no business may receive more than fifty thousand dollars for any single small business innovation research project or small business technology transfer project. The department may require a business to repay such assistance or pay a multiple of the assistance to the department. All such repayments and payments shall be deposited in the Connecticut technology partnership assistance program revolving account established under section 32-346.
(d) The department may establish a development, research and economic assistance matching financial aid program for micro businesses that have received federal funds for Phase II proposals under the small business innovation research program and the small business technology transfer program. Any micro business receiving financial aid under this subsection shall use such financial aid for the same purpose such micro business was awarded said federal funds. The department may enter into an agreement, pursuant to chapter 55a, with a person, firm, corporation or other entity to operate such a program.
[(e) On or before January 15, 2008, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall, in consultation with the program operator, if any, submit a report on the status of the development research and economic assistance matching grant program to the chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the Department of Economic and Community Development. Such report shall include, but need not be limited to, a description of the projects supported and the type of financial aid provided.]
Sec. 11. Subsection (c) of section 32-1o of the 2010 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2010):
(c) The strategic plan required under this section shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) A review and evaluation of the economy of the state. Such review and evaluation shall include, but not be limited to, a sectoral analysis, housing market and housing affordability analysis, labor market and labor quality analysis, demographic analysis and include historic trend analysis and projections;
(2) A review and analysis of factors, issues and forces that impact or impede economic development and responsible growth in Connecticut and its constituent regions. Such factors, issues or forces shall include, but not be limited to, transportation, including, but not limited to, commuter transit, rail and barge freight, technology transfer, brownfield remediation and development, health care delivery and costs, early education, primary education, secondary and postsecondary education systems and student performance, business regulation, labor force quality and sustainability, social services costs and delivery systems, affordable and workforce housing cost and availability, land use policy, emergency preparedness, taxation, availability of capital and energy costs and supply;
(3) Identification and analysis of economic clusters that are growing or declining within the state;
(4) An analysis of targeted industry sectors in the state that (A) identifies those industry sectors that are of current or future importance to the growth of the state's economy and to its global competitive position, (B) identifies what those industry sectors need for continued growth, and (C) identifies, those industry sectors current and potential impediments to growth;
(5) A review and evaluation of the economic development structure in the state, including, but not limited to, (A) a review and analysis of the past and current economic, community and housing development structures, budgets and policies, efforts and responsibilities of its constituent parts in Connecticut; and (B) an analysis of the performance of the current economic, community and housing development structure, and its individual constituent parts, in meeting its statutory obligations, responsibilities and mandates and their impact on economic development and responsible growth in Connecticut;
(6) Establishment and articulation of a vision for Connecticut that identifies where the state should be in five, ten, fifteen and twenty years;
(7) Establishment of clear and measurable goals and objectives for the state and regions, to meet the short and long-term goals established under this section and provide clear steps and strategies to achieve said goals and objectives, including, but not limited to, the following: (A) The promotion of economic development and opportunity, (B) the fostering of effective transportation access and choice including the use of airports and ports for economic development, (C) enhancement and protection of the environment, (D) maximization of the effective development and use of the workforce consistent with applicable state or local workforce investment strategy, (E) promotion of the use of technology in economic development, including access to high-speed telecommunications, and (F) the balance of resources through sound management of physical development;
(8) Prioritization of goals and objectives established under this section;
(9) Establishment of relevant measures that clearly identify and quantify (A) whether a goal and objective is being met at the state, regional, local and private sector level, and (B) cause and effect relationships, and provides a clear and replicable measurement methodology;
(10) Recommendations on how the state can best achieve goals under the strategic plan and provide cost estimates for implementation of the plan and the projected return on investment for those areas;
(11) A review and evaluation of the operation and efficacy of the urban jobs program established pursuant to sections 32-9i to 32-9l, inclusive, enterprise zones established pursuant to section 32-70, railroad depot zones established pursuant to section 32-75a, qualified manufacturing plants designated pursuant to section 32-75c, entertainment districts established pursuant to section 32-76 and enterprise corridor zones established pursuant to section 32-80. The review and evaluation of enterprise zones shall include an analysis of enterprise zones that have been expanded to include an area in a contiguous municipality or in which there are base or plant closures; [and]
(12) With regard to the development, research and economic assistance matching grant program established pursuant to section 32-345, as amended by this act, an assessment of program performance; and
[(12)] (13) Any other responsible growth information that the commissioner deems appropriate.
Sec. 12. Section 32-356 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2010):
(a) For purposes of this section, "incubator facilities" shall have the same meaning as incubator facilities in section 32-34.
(b) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall establish [the] a small business incubator program. [to provide grants to entities operating incubator facilities, as defined in section 32-34.] The Department of Economic and Community Development may enter into an agreement, pursuant to chapter 55a, with a person, firm, corporation or other entity to operate such program. The department, or a program operator selected pursuant to this subsection, shall, subject to the availability of funds, operate a technology-based small business incubator program. In accordance with the written guidelines developed by the department, the department or program operator, if any, may provide grants to [assist] entities operating incubator facilities or to small businesses operating within incubator facilities. Grants made pursuant to this section shall be used by such entities operating incubator facilities to provide operating funds and related services, including business plan preparation, assistance in acquiring financing and management counseling or by such small businesses to provide direct assistance for the operation of the business or procurement of related services.
(c) [An entity] Applicants for funding consideration shall submit an application for a grant pursuant to this section in the manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development.
(d) There is established an account to be known as the small business incubator account, which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The commissioner may use funds from the account to provide administrative expenses and grants pursuant to this section.
(e) (1) There is established a Small Business Incubator Advisory Board. Said board shall consist of: (A) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development; (B) the president of the Connecticut Development Authority and the executive director of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, as ex-officio nonvoting members, or their designees; (C) one member to be appointed by the Governor; (D) two members with experience in the field of technology transfer and commercialization, to be appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; (E) two members with experience in new product and market development, to be appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate; (F) one member to be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; (G) one member to be appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives; (H) one member with experience in seed and early stage capital investment, to be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; and (I) one member with experience in seed and early stage capital investment, to be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate. All initial appointments to said board shall be made not later than September 1, 2007.
(2) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall schedule the first meeting of said board not later than October 15, 2007. Thereafter, the board shall meet at least once annually to evaluate and recommend changes to the guidelines adopted pursuant to this section.
Sec. 13. Section 32-290a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2010):
(a) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Services and the Labor Commissioner, may establish, within available appropriations, an entrepreneurial training program for the purpose of training and preparing former recipients of temporary family assistance, general assistance, state-administered general assistance and aid to families with dependent children, ex-offenders, dislocated workers, displaced homemakers and high school drop-outs for self-employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.
(b) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the purposes of this section.
Sec. 14. Section 32-390 of the general statutes is repealed. (Effective July 1, 2010)
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: | ||
Section 1 |
October 1, 2010, and applicable to assessment years commencing on and after October 1, 2010 |
12-81(59) |
Sec. 2 |
October 1, 2010, and applicable to assessment years commencing on and after October 1, 2010 |
12-81u |
Sec. 3 |
July 1, 2010 |
32-9j |
Sec. 4 |
July 1, 2010 |
32-9p |
Sec. 5 |
July 1, 2010 |
32-9r(f) |
Sec. 6 |
July 1, 2010 |
32-9t(g)(1) |
Sec. 7 |
July 1, 2010 |
16a-40b(d) |
Sec. 8 |
July 1, 2010 |
8-37qq(e)(2)(B) |
Sec. 9 |
July 1, 2010 |
38a-88a(3) |
Sec. 10 |
July 1, 2010 |
32-345 |
Sec. 11 |
July 1, 2010 |
32-1o(c) |
Sec. 12 |
July 1, 2010 |
32-356 |
Sec. 13 |
July 1, 2010 |
32-290a |
Sec. 14 |
July 1, 2010 |
Repealer section |
CE |
Joint Favorable Subst. |