Grants for establishment of flexible manufacturing networks. Reports

(a) As used in this section: (1) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development; (2) “Flexible manufacturing network” means a group of three or more private sector firms working cooperatively to (A) manufacture products, (B) sell, market, develop technologies for or create or disseminate information concerning manufactured products or (C) provide manufacturing support services or computer integrated manufacturing for such firms; and (3) “Manufacturing support services” means services utilized by manufacturers to improve productivity, including but not limited to, services related to quality, management, technology or product development, marketing or modernization. (b) The commissioner shall award grants for the establishment of flexible manufacturing networks in the state. Such grants may be awarded to entities interested in establishing flexible manufacturing networks, including but not limited to, manufacturers, trade associations, unions, municipalities and nonprofit corporations. (c) The commissioner shall prepare and issue a request for proposals for flexible manufacturing network services. The request for proposals shall require each person, firm or corporation submitting a proposal to: (1) Indicate the manufacturing sector or sectors to be included in the network, (2) indicate the persons, firms and corporations expected to participate in the network, (3) identify common problems and needs of the network participants, (4) indicate the objectives of the network, which may include but shall not be limited to, sharing costs and risks, instituting joint worker training programs, sharing new machines and equipment, using management consultant and extension services, utilizing centralized administrative support, accessing public and private development funds and identifying new business opportunities, (5) identify the specific tasks that the network would undertake and (6) provide any other information deemed necessary by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development. (d) Not later than January 1, 1995, the commissioner shall report to the General Assembly on the amount of money that would be necessary to provide a grant to a flexible manufacturing network to enable the network to procure training for its participants in high performance work practices.