Section 238.145. Grants for fabrication laboratories.

 

(1)  In this section:

(a) “Eligible recipient" means a person the corporation certifies under sub. (2) (b) as eligible to receive grants under this section.

(b) “Fabrication laboratory" means a medium-scale, high-technology workshop equipped with computer-controlled additive and subtractive manufacturing components, including 3-dimensional printers, laser engravers, computer numerical control routers, or plasma cutters.

(2)  

(a) The corporation shall implement an economic development program to award grants under this section.

(b) The corporation may certify a person as eligible to receive grants under this section as provided in policies and procedures adopted by the corporation under sub. (6) .

(c) The corporation may not certify a person under par. (b) after June 30, 2017.

(3)  

(a) From the appropriation under s. 20.192 (1) (a) , the corporation may award up to a total of $500,000 in grants to eligible recipients.

(b) The corporation may not award grants totaling more than $75,000 to each eligible recipient, and the corporation may not award a grant of more than $25,000 to an eligible recipient in any year.

(4)  An eligible recipient of a grant under this section shall use all grant moneys for the purchase of equipment used for instructional and educational purposes in one or more fabrication laboratories by elementary, middle, junior, or senior high school students.

(5)  

(a) The corporation shall award grants under this section annually, on a competitive basis, based on an eligible recipient's financial need; and, subject to the limitations under par. (b) , the corporation may not take into account whether an eligible recipient was previously awarded a grant under this section in determining whether to award a grant to the eligible recipient.

(b) The corporation may award no more than 3 annual grants to each eligible recipient, as follows:

1. In the first grant year, the corporation may contribute up to 75 percent of the eligible recipient's equipment expenditures under sub. (4) .

2. In the 2nd grant year, the corporation may contribute up to 50 percent of the eligible recipient's equipment expenditures under sub. (4) .

3. In the 3rd grant year, the corporation may contribute up to 25 percent of the eligible recipient's equipment expenditures under sub. (4) .

(6)  The corporation shall adopt policies and procedures to implement the grant program under this section.

2015 a. 55 .