(a) Not later than February 1, 2015, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall establish and administer a program to promote and support the development of bioscience and biotechnology businesses in the Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region designated pursuant to section 16a-4a. The commissioner shall develop such program in consultation with Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, Connecticut United for Research Excellence, Inc., the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region, the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut and other organizations in the region with experience in the formation of or assistance to start-up businesses, fundraising, networking and marketing. Such program shall include:
(1) Outreach efforts to entrepreneurs, regional community and business leaders and experts in the bioscience and biotechnology fields to determine the needs and objectives of such individuals, and to inform such individuals of state programs and resources to assist in the formation of bioscience and biotechnology businesses in said planning region;
(2) A marketing plan for bioscience and biotechnology development in said planning region, including: (A) An identification of assets, including the facilities and talent pool located in said planning region, (B) marketing tools to advertise such assets, (C) goals for such marketing plan, and (D) a timetable and budget for such marketing plan; and
(3) A working group that shall consist of not less than ten nor more than fifteen business and community leaders from said planning region to (A) encourage networking and planning between professionals from different fields, (B) support the development and occupancy of the incubator at CURE Innovation Commons, (C) assess the program established pursuant to this section, and (D) make recommendations to the commissioner concerning the development and implementation of such program; and
(c) Not later than February 1, 2017, the commissioner shall include in the annual report, pursuant to section 32-1m, a report on the program established pursuant to this section.
(P.A. 14-217, S. 212.)