Substitute Senate Bill No. 1179 establishes the Connecticut Community Makerspace Initiative Program, which aims to provide financial assistance for the establishment or expansion of makerspaces throughout the state. Effective July 1, 2025, the program will be administered by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, offering grants, loans, and other financing options to eligible entities. The financial assistance, capped at five million dollars in total with individual grants not exceeding two hundred fifty thousand dollars per fiscal year, can cover various costs associated with makerspace development, excluding personnel costs. The bill also amends section 32-235 of the general statutes to allocate one million dollars for the makerspace program and allows the Department of Economic and Community Development to use up to ten percent of the allocated funds for administrative costs.

In addition to the makerspace initiative, the bill outlines various financial allocations aimed at enhancing economic development and workforce initiatives in Connecticut. It mandates the deposit of two million dollars annually into the CTNext Fund for higher education entrepreneurship grants from fiscal years 2019 to 2021 and allocates funds for the Technology Talent Advisory Committee, grants to the Connecticut Supplier Connection, and the Connecticut Procurement Technical Assistance Program. Furthermore, it includes provisions for transferring twenty million dollars to Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, with specified allocations for a proof of concept fund and a venture capital fund program, as well as an eight million dollar grant to The University of Connecticut for a center for sustainable aviation. Overall, the bill reflects a commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable initiatives within the state.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 32-7o