University Centers for Growth, Development, Prosperity (GDP) Act

To amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to establish university centers to encourage certain economic development, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the University Centers for Growth, Development, Prosperity (GDP) Act 2. Economic development agency university centers (a) Establishment Title II of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq. 219. University centers (a) In general The Secretary shall make awards to institutions of higher learning for such institutions to serve as university centers. (b) Geographic coverage The Secretary shall ensure that one university center is established in each State to provide services in such State. (c) Prioritization of historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal colleges and universities, Hispanic-Serving institutions, and minority-Serving institutions In establishing university centers under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize institutions of higher education that are eligible to receive funds under section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1067q(a) (d) Duties The university centers established under this section, to the extent practicable, shall— (1) collaborate with other university centers; (2) collaborate with economic development districts, trade adjustment assistance centers, Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Centers of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Business Centers and Rural Business Centers of the Minority Business Development Agency, and other relevant Federal economic development technical assistance and service providers to provide expertise, applied research, and technical assistance to develop, implement, and support regional strategies that assist in job creation, high-skilled regional talent pools, and business expansion in a region’s innovation cluster; (3) provide technical assistance, business development services, and technology transfer services to businesses in the service area of the university center; (4) establish partnerships with one or more commercialization intermediaries that are public or nonprofit technology transfer organizations eligible to receive a grant under section 602(d)(1)(B) of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1862s–9(d)(1)(B) (5) provide to communities and regions assistance relating to data collection and analysis and other research relating to economic conditions and vulnerabilities that can inform economic development and adjustment strategies. (e) Funding The Secretary may provide to each university center under this section for each fiscal year an amount that is not less than $500,000 and not more than $1,000,000. . (b) Conforming amendment Section 3(12) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3122(12) a university center established under section 219 or means (c) Clerical amendment The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3121 Sec. 219. University centers. .

Summary: University Centers for Growth, Development, Prosperity (GDP) Act This bill requires the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to establish in each state a university center at an institution of higher education that must, to the extent possible, collaborate with economic development districts, provide technical assistance and business development services to area businesses, and conduct research and analysis relating to economic development. In selecting such centers, the EDA must prioritize Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and other minority-serving institutions.