A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds to develop the MOTORSPORTS consortium in the community colleges system office.
Whereas, North Carolina's motorsports industry creates a $5.9 billion economic impact, employing more than 14,000 individuals; and
Whereas, many businesses benefit from the motorsports industry, including advertising, marketing, media, racetrack management, parts suppliers, technical support, research, training, transportation, and tourism; and
Whereas, the motorsports industry requires increased education‑oriented investment, support, and coordination in order to maintain and enhance the industry's economic strengths and improve opportunities for individuals; and
Whereas, plans have been made to establish the North Carolina Motorsports Consortium to help create a highly trained workforce and ensure that the industry can continue and thrive in the State; and
Whereas, the Motorsports Consortium would consist of a central office to manage the consortium and multiple centers of excellence located at different community colleges throughout the State that meet different types of needs of the industry; and
Whereas, the centers of excellence would provide specific leadership in particular areas or functions in order to improve the quality of learning and services for the industry that can be shared with all colleges; and
Whereas, as the motorsports industry grows in popularity, so does the competition from other areas; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Community Colleges System Office the sum of four million six hundred fifty thousand dollars ($4,650,000) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year to create the North Carolina Motorsports Consortium.
SECTION 1.(b)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Community Colleges System Office the sum of five million one hundred seventy‑five thousand dollars ($5,175,000) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year and the sum of five million one hundred seventy‑five thousand dollars ($5,175,000) for the 2008‑2009 fiscal year for operating expenses for the North Carolina Motorsports Consortium.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.