23-231.8 - A. L. Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership created; mission and duties.

§ 23-231.8. A. L. Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership created;mission and duties.

A. The A. L. Philpott Manufacturing Center, established from such funds asmay be appropriated or provided pursuant to Chapters 217 and 668 of the 1992Acts of Assembly, as amended, is hereby continued and redesignated the A. L.Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership, referred to in this chapter asthe Extension Partnership. The mission of the Extension Partnership is tohelp create and maintain industrial and manufacturing jobs. The ExtensionPartnership shall:

1. Develop, demonstrate, test, and assist in the implementation of advancedmanufacturing technologies.

2. Promote industrial expansion by providing manufacturing technologyconsulting services to manufacturers in Virginia.

3. Foster the creation of manufacturing networks and the development of buyerand supplier relationships in the region and throughout the Commonwealth.

4. Serve as a resource center for industrial training and technology transferprograms for the renewal, enhancement, and expansion of existingmanufacturing enterprises and for manufacturing modernization outreach.

5. Be available as a federal demonstration center for the training ofdisplaced workers in a manufacturing area.

6. Receive and accept any available grants, from any federal, state, orprivate agency, corporation, association or person, to be expended inaccomplishing the goals enumerated in subdivisions 1 through 5 above.

B. The Extension Partnership shall be considered a local or regionalindustrial or economic development authority or organization for purposes ofthe Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).

(1992, cc. 217, 668; 1994, cc. 31, 383; 1996, c. 336; 1997, c. 324.)