Report Title:

Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for the Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii to coordinate marketing, with emphasis on representing Hawaii's technology companies and opportunities on the mainland.  (HB1010 HD1)

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1010

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to technology growth.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that many of the industries that make up Hawaii's broad-based technology sector are showing strong growth and expansion potential.  Life science initiatives at the John A. Burns school of medicine and a flurry of technology centers and science initiatives-–Mauna Kea astronomy education center, natural energy laboratory of Hawaii authority's gateway energy center, two technology centers in Kauai and Maui-–as well as financial support in science and technology infrastructure within the past several years have led to unprecedented opportunities.

     Building on these opportunities is key to continued expansion in the State.  The economic development boards of each county are a vital part of the State's outreach efforts.  While the economic development boards have conducted marketing and outreach, building on the "Team Hawaii" concept, they have been unable to participate in most United States mainland exhibitions and conferences due to the lack of funding.  The Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii, Inc., a nonprofit umbrella organization for the four county economic development boards, estimates that the economic development boards miss as many as one hundred United States mainland exhibitions and conferences in which the Hawaii technology story could be presented.  Currently, presentations are limited by budget constraints and simply do not match the market emphasis or level of other technology sites such as the Raleigh Durham triangle, San Antonio, or San Diego, much less Silicon Valley.

     The purpose of this Act is to assist the Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii, Inc., and the four county economic development boards in their support of Hawaii's growing technology sector.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $250,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 as a grant-in-aid to the Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii, Inc., to coordinate marketing, with emphasis on representing Hawaii's technology companies and opportunities on the mainland.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2034.