A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to create a seamless research and development center at the hosiery technology center.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Community Colleges System Office the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year to establish a research and development center for the seamless manufacturing industry. The center shall operate under the Hosiery Technology Center at Catawba Valley Community College and Randolph Community College. These funds shall be used to enhance diversification in hosiery manufacturing operations where seamless production is compatible with hosiery manufacturing.
Grant funds appropriated in this act shall be used for:
(1)	The purchase of three knitting machines in 13‑inch, 15‑inch, and 17‑inch cylinders;
(2)	Employment of technical trainers who shall be available to teach various levels of seamless design and production to manufacturing personnel attending workshops and classes organized by the Hosiery Technology Center;
(3)	Research and development, involving technical support to work on programs sponsored by manufacturers and suppliers to the seamless industry; and
(4)	Field support, involving on‑site training in mills manufacturing seamless products.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.