HB 723

Enacts GS 143B-437.84, establishing the NC Technology Coalitions Strategic Support Fund (Fund) within the Department of Commerce (Department). Directs that grants be awarded from the Fund by the Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation (Division). Grants the Board of Science, Technology, and Innovation (Board) oversight authority. Provides that the purpose of grants awarded from the Fund is to encourage regional technology-based economic growth by fostering collaboration throughout a technology coalition and aligning State resource investment to scale critical and secure supply chains. Defines seven terms. Defines technology coalition as a regional network of organizations, such as private sector, academic, nonprofit, and government institutions, in a network of formal and informal relationships that contribute to technological and economic development in a technology-based industry sector, such as one of ten sectors listed, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and biotechnology. Defines regional area as an area of service by the technology coalition and the focus of economic development metric analysis fir a technology-based industry sector; required to be within State boundaries.