S105 - 2021 Appropriations Act. (SL 2021-180)

Overview: Section 6.1 of S.L. 2021-180 requires the Center for Applied Research (CFAR) at Central Piedmont Community College to partner with the Community Colleges System Office (System Office), the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents, and the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research at North Carolina State University (Belk Center) to provide for studies of the overall regional economic impacts of community colleges in the State. CFAR must use $750,000 of its allocated funds in addition to matching funds as described below to contract with Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI) to conduct the required studies.

The studies must include specific components, such as the following:

• Evaluation of labor dynamics with the State.
• Evaluation of the impact community colleges have on students and businesses within certain regions and the resulting return on investment for taxpayers.
• Analysis of high-demand programs in regional areas of the State, such as nursing, teacher education, and information technology.
• Evaluation of the return on investment and success of high-demand programs in improving career opportunities for students as well as their impact on the labor market.
• Identification of potential areas for increased investment or targeted support by the State and recommendations for future growth.

The John M. Belk Endowment will match one dollar for every one dollar in State funds made available to CFAR for the studies.

By April 15, 2022, CFAR, the System Office, the NC Association of Community College Presidents, and the Belk Center must report to Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and other various entities on the results of the studies and the recommendations from the studies on areas with the greatest economic impacts for the State that warrant further expansion and focus in order to increase the success of students and meet workforce and industry demands.

Based on the results and recommendations from CFAR's report, the State Board of Community Colleges (SBCC) must create a grant program for the 2022-2023 fiscal year for community colleges to apply for grant funds to expand and target efforts in specific program areas that are proven to have greater economic impacts in regions of the State. The SBCC must prioritize award of the grant funds based on the findings of the studies and the potential for those programs to have the greatest impact on a geographical region or region of economic development.

This section became effective July 1, 2021.