Conn. Gen. Stat. § 32-4q: Innovation Clusters and Connecticut Communities Challenge programs; funding; application process; criteria; board of directors of organization awarded financial assistance.

(a) On and after July 1, 2021, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, in coordination with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, may, for the purposes of implementing the state's Economic Action Plan, use bond funds and available resources, to provide (1) not more than one hundred million dollars in the aggregate for grants in support of major projects selected pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and (2) not more than one hundred million dollars in the aggregate for community development grants awarded pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. Total funding for grants provided pursuant to subsections (b) and (c) of this section shall not exceed two hundred million dollars in the aggregate.

(b) On and after July 1, 2021, the Department of Economic and Community Development may establish an Innovation Clusters program, which shall provide grants for major projects in the state. The department shall develop a competitive application process and criteria consistent with the purposes of the state's Economic Action Plan to (1) evaluate applications submitted pursuant to this subsection, and (2) select projects for funding pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section. Financial assistance awarded pursuant to this subsection shall be exempt from the provisions of section 32-462.

(c) On and after July 1, 2021, the Department of Economic and Community Development may establish a Connecticut Communities Challenge program, which shall provide community development grants. The department shall develop a competitive application process and criteria consistent with the purposes of the state's Economic Action Plan to (1) evaluate applications submitted pursuant to this subsection, and (2) select community development projects for funding pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section.

(d) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, or the commissioner's designee, may serve as a member of the board of directors of an organization that is awarded financial assistance pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.