Authority: Title 23.1, Chapter 31, Article 6, Code of Virginia.

A. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, and the New College Institute coordinate their activities, both instructional and research, to the maximum extent possible to best meet the needs of the citizens of the region, to ensure effective utilization of resources, and to avoid unnecessary duplication. The three entities shall report annually by October 1 to the Secretary of Education and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia on their joint efforts in this regard.

B. Out of this appropriation, $29,050 the first year and $29,050 the second year from the general fund is designated for the educational telecommunications project to provide graduate engineering education. For supplemental budget requests, the participating institutions and centers jointly shall submit a report in support of such requests to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia for review and recommendation to the Governor and the General Assembly.

C. Out of this appropriation, $266,000 and four positions the first year and $266,000 and four positions the second year from the general fund is designated for additional operational support of the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center and its efforts to provide STEM programs and specialized workforce training to the citizens of Southside Virginia.

D. Out of this appropriation, $731,250 and eight positions the first year and $731,250 and eight positions the second year from the general fund and $782,100 and 3.5 positions the first year and $782,100 and 3.5 positions the second year from nongeneral funds are designated to maintain workforce advancement programs in the areas of health care, manufacturing, information technology, and STEM that were originally established through short-term grants in order to expand the credentials-to-career pipeline for key industry sectors in Southside Virginia.

E. Out of this appropriation, $127,055 the first year and $127,055 the second year from the general fund is designated for debt service costs under the Master Equipment Leasing Program (MELP) for the acquisition of technical training equipment. In addition to these costs, $394,125 and six positions the first year and $394,125 and six positions the second year from the general fund and $233,375 the first year and $233,375 the second year from nongeneral funds are designated for the staff and operational costs associated with the Career Tech Academy, providing automation and robotics technical training to high school students from the counties of Charlotte, Halifax, and Mecklenburg.

F. The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center is authorized to provide specialized workforce training consistent with grant agreements and memoranda of understanding with employers that existed as of January 1, 2016. The center will seek opportunities to collaborate with local community colleges in meeting the continuing goals of these programs and on new training needs identified by employers. If the local community colleges are unable to meet the training needs identified by employers, then the center is authorized to seek other education providers or to offer specialized workforce training independent of the local community colleges.

G. The requirements of § 4-5.05 shall not apply to this appropriation.