§12904.__Funding

The center is authorized to accept any public or private funds that may be available for carrying out the purposes of this chapter.__The center shall repay any funds appropriated from the General Fund to the center within 2 years from the date those funds are disbursed.__The center is authorized to collaborate with any private nonprofit or for-profit organizations for the purpose of seeking or soliciting funds to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

Sec. 2. Transfer of equipment and assets. By July 1, 2006, all equipment and other assets that are part of the interactive television network currently housed at the University of Maine at Augusta are transferred to the Maine Enterprise Commerce Center of Augusta.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes the Maine Enterprise Commerce Center of Augusta within the University of Maine System to provide educational services, small business promotion and services and economic development resources, through an interactive television network, the Internet and other technology, to people throughout the State and to provide specific resources and information concerning economic issues of interest to central and northern Maine. The bill transfers the equipment and assets that are part of the interactive television network currently housed at the University of Maine at Augusta to the new center.