§ 50-34-21 — Georgia CHIPS and Advanced Technology Consortium

(a) As used in this Code section, the term: (1) "Consortium" means the Georgia CHIPS and Advanced Technology Consortium established pursuant to this Code section. (2) "Executive committee" means the executive committee of the consortium. (b) Subject to available funding, the authority shall establish grant programs, loan programs, or both for the purposes of: (1) Leveraging the expertise and capacity of institutions of higher education in this state, industry, and nonprofit organizations focused on semiconductor and advanced technology economic and workforce development to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to ensure ongoing semiconductor innovation; (2) Sustaining the leadership of this state in advanced semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing; (3) Attracting public and private investment in this state related to research, development, commercialization, and manufacturing of semiconductors; (4) Identifying and expanding opportunities for workforce training and development related to the research, design, and manufacturing of semiconductors and related advanced technologies; (5) Establishing a forum for public and private stakeholders across the semiconductor manufacturing industry in this state to focus on education, research and development, and commercial production; and (6) Encouraging and supporting the authorization and creation of joint development authorities to attract and support the semiconductor industry and related suppliers. (c) The authority shall be authorized to receive and administer public and private funds received pursuant to this Code section. Such funds shall be distributed through the following separate funds, to the extent authorized by law: (1) The Governor's CHIPS Economic Development Fund is hereby created. Such fund may be used to provide grants to semiconductor companies who relocate to this state as well as those currently in Georgia to support the expansion of the industry. Such grants and loans: (A) Shall be performance based and customized for the specific needs of each company; (B) May be utilized by a company seeking to locate to Georgia that has been vetted commercially by the consortium and awarded federal funding to assist in the buildout of their domestic commercial manufacturing; (C) May be used to assist with employee relocation related expenses; (D) May be directed using a preference for companies whose product also has a demonstrated or feasible end-use for electric vehicles; and (E) May be used to establish a site development fund to assist communities in the preparation of sites for the semiconductor industry that can be applied for by economic development organizations or local government entities; and (2) The Research and Development and Advanced Packaging Incentives Fund is hereby created. Such fund may be used for the following purposes: (A) Pathway to workforce education and training grants for eligible recipients including technical and community colleges in this state, local school systems, nonprofit organizations supporting summer camps, and other entities supporting development training or introduction to careers in semiconductors, microelectronics, and respective laboratories; (B) Providing matching funds for advanced packaging pilot facilities to advance an institute of higher education application to apply for a national advanced packaging pilot facility that would be located in Georgia. The funds would be utilized should an institute be a recipient of such designation from a federal program; and (C) Georgia innovation funds for: (i) Public-private commercialization initiatives for grants to match private investment supporting research and development commercialization in partnership with Georgia institutions of higher education; (ii) University research and development initiatives aimed at helping institutions of higher education in this state recruit distinguished researchers and engineers from around the world to the State of Georgia to bolster both the standing of institutions of higher education in this state and economic development efforts state wide; and (iii) Microelectronics incubator initiatives to assist small business growth and create new jobs through increased access to capital. Funding for such initiatives is intended to assist all small businesses but shall focus on traditionally marginalized communities and businesses that focus on uplifting those communities. (d) (1) The Georgia CHIPS and Advanced Technology Consortium (GCATC) is established as an advisory panel to the authority for purposes of administering grant and loan programs pursuant to this Code section. The consortium shall be composed of a designee of each of the following institutions of higher education appointed by the office of the president of each respective institution: (A) Georgia Institute of Technology; (B) University of Georgia; (C) Georgia State University; (D) Kennesaw State University; (E) University of North Georgia; (F) University of West Georgia; (G) Valdosta State University; (H) Columbus State University; (I) Morehouse College; and (J) Georgia Southern University. (2) In addition to the appointments under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the executive committee established under subsection (e) of this Code section may appoint any other entity or individual the executive committee considers necessary. (3) In making appointments under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, priority shall be given to individuals with experience in semiconductor design and manufacturing. (e) (1) The consortium shall be governed by an executive committee composed of the following members: (A) Three members appointed by the Governor; (B) Two members appointed by the President of the Senate; (C) Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; (D) The chancellor of the University System of Georgia or his or her designee; and (E) The president of Technical College System of Georgia or his or her designee. (2) In making appointments under paragraph (1) of this subsection, priority shall be given to individuals with experience in manufacturing, design, industrial development, academic research, and scientific research in the field of semiconductors (3) In making appointments under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall coordinate to ensure that at least two representatives from the commercial semiconductor design and manufacturing sectors with an established presence in the state are appointed to the executive committee. (f) (1) The executive committee shall: (A) Develop and execute a comprehensive statewide strategic plan to further the purposes set out in subsection (b) of this Code section; (B) Solicit recommendations from consortium members on funding and research opportunities related to semiconductor research, design, commercialization, and manufacturing; (C) Appoint an executive director of the consortium and determine the title, functions, duties, powers, and salary for the executive director; and (D) Prepare and submit the report required by paragraph (2) of this subsection. (2) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the executive committee shall prepare and submit a report to the authority that outlines: (A) Activities undertaken to meet the purposes set out in subsection (b) of this Code section; (B) A summary of the funding and research opportunities identified under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of this subsection; (C) Any legislative recommendations to further the purposes set out in subsection (b) of this Code section; (D) Any prospective grants or funding the consortium members expect to apply for or receive; and (E) Any research accomplishments associated with the consortium.

Legislative History

Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 591,§ 2-2, eff. 5/6/2024.