A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds to establish the north carolina viticulture and enology center on the campus of surry community college.
Whereas, grape growing has proven to be a viable agricultural alternative, yielding a profit margin comparable with tobacco; and
Whereas, Surry Community College offers a degree, diploma, and certificate in viticulture/enology and provides the only two‑year degree program on the East Coast; and
Whereas, Surry Community College provides applied research, demonstration, consultation, evaluation, technical support, and workforce development for vineyard and winery owners; and
Whereas, Surry Community College is located in the center of the Yadkin Valley Appellation, the only designated American Viticulture Area in North Carolina; and
Whereas, plans have been made to establish the North Carolina Center for Viticulture and Enology on the campus of Surry Community College; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Viticulture and Enology Center will house a state‑of‑the‑art bonded winery for producing quality wines, classrooms, offices, a resource library, a climate‑controlled wine cellar, and an auditorium for seminars, conventions, and conferences; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Viticulture and Enology Center will serve as a teaching laboratory and demonstration model for the wine industry; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the North Carolina Community Colleges System Office the sum of seven million five hundred thousand dollars ($7,500,000) for the 2006‑2007 fiscal year to establish the North Carolina Center for Viticulture and Enology on the campus of Surry Community College.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2006.