Report Title:

Technology and Innovation Center

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for a technology and innovation center on Oahu.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1781

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to the technology and innovation center.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that:

     (1)  Hawaii's technology and defense related industries have shown strong growth and expansion potential;

     (2)  To meet this potential, our workforce needs to be trained to meet the demand for highly skilled, highly specialized labor in areas such as high technology, defense-aerospace, business, and finance;

     (3)  By 2012, Oahu will have an estimated one hundred, seventy-six thousand jobs to fill, with more than fifty-one thousand of these jobs newly created; and

     (4)  Hawaii's ability to fill these job openings with talented, energetic individuals will help to determine the future quality of life for our residents.

     The legislature further finds that the development of an "employment anchor" facility such as a technology and innovation center, along with other workforce training initiatives in high schools and community colleges, may be the key to preparing Hawaii's current and future workforce for the rigors of complex fields such as high technology.  There is already a significant demand for an employment anchor from local technology businesses and major defense and aerospace contractors who wish to establish businesses on Oahu.  Enterprise Honolulu, a nonprofit organization focused on economic development in Hawaii, has collaborated with the Hawaii Technology Development Venture to establish a successful model program for assisting local businesses in improving their growth in areas of technology, defense, and aerospace.  The integration of these kinds of programs within the context of an employment anchor, such as a technology and innovation center on Oahu, would be an important first step in meeting the State's workforce needs and eventually improving the quality of life for our residents.

     The purpose of this Act is to provide funding, to be matched by non-State funding sources, for a new technology and innovation center on Oahu to be developed by the department of business, economic development, and tourism, Enterprise Honolulu, and Hawaii Technology Development Venture.  This Act also requests Enterprise Honolulu to submit a report relating to the technology and innovation center.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $6,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 for design, construction, and planning costs for a new technology and innovation center on Oahu to be developed by the department of business, economic development, and tourism, Enterprise Honolulu, and Hawaii Technology Development Venture.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act; provided that no funds shall be expended unless matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis by non-State sources.

     SECTION 3.  Enterprise Honolulu is requested to provide a report to the legislature prior to the convening of the regular session of 2008, with recommendations on the following:

     (1)  Additional financial incentives that may be necessary to stimulate development of the technology and innovation center;

     (2)  The most suitable location on Oahu for undertaking such a project; and

     (3)  Options for additional entrepreneurial and workforce development programs through this technology and innovation center.


     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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