A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds to the board of governors of the university of north carolina to provide additional resources For the joint school of nanoscience and nanoengineering on the campus of the gateway university research park of the university of north carolina at greensboro and north carolina agricultural and technical state university.
Whereas, the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN), a collaboration of NC A&T State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, is a $56.3 million, state‑of‑the‑art facility that opened on December 7, 2011; and
Whereas, in its first 18 months of operation, prior to completion of its formal facility, JSNN was awarded over $4 million in research funding and continues to work closely with Gateway University Research Park to develop partnerships with high technology firms; and
Whereas, currently, JSNN's budget allocation includes $4.9 million in recurring funds from the State. The 2011‑2013 biennial budget provided an additional $1 million annually in nonrecurring funds to purchase equipment and hire temporary staff; and
Whereas, to become fully operational, JSNN needs a recurring budget of $6.9 million from the State to bring the Joint School to a sustainable operating budget. With the JSNN facility now complete, over 30 additional large nano‑research equipment systems have been installed and are expected to cost over $1 million to operate and maintain annually; and
Whereas, an additional $2 million in recurring State funds will enable JSNN to make its temporary positions permanent, maintain its equipment appropriately, and thus enhance its job creation efforts; and
Whereas, when fully operational, JSNN's economic impact over 10 years is projected to be approximately $500 million; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the 2012‑2013 fiscal year to be used by the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering on the campus of the Gateway University Research Park of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to hire permanent staff, adequately maintain its equipment, and support operations. Beginning with the 2012‑2013 fiscal year, these funds shall become part of the continuation budget.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2012.