Whereas, the Maine Quality Centers program was created within the Maine Technical College System by the Maine Legislature in 1994 to meet the workforce education and training needs of new and expanding businesses as well as to provide new employment and career advancement opportunities for Maine people; and

Whereas, since its creation, the Maine Quality Centers program has worked with over 100 new and expanding Maine businesses and provided customized training to over 6,000 Maine people with an estimated return on investment of 19 months, creating wide program acceptance and success based on its ability to respond quickly to job creation opportunities; and

Whereas, a one-time budget transfer in fiscal year 1994-95 provided the program the ability to supplement annual appropriations to meet employer demand; and

Whereas, with the expenditure of that one-time appropriation, program activities will need to be curtailed from current levels despite a demand greater than the current annual appropriation can support; and

Whereas, the Maine Quality Centers program has proven itself a cost-effective and efficient economic development resource supporting both Maine businesses and workers; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.

2000-01

MAINE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM,

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE

Maine Technical College System - Maine

Quality Centers