NC S386

Directs the Department of Commerce to provide grants to the Town of Pembroke to implement the Innovate NC initiative, which aims to create jobs and foster enterprise development in construction, home health care, and agribusiness.

Appropriates $195,000 in nonrecurring funds for fiscal year 2017-2018 and $160,000 in recurring funds for fiscal year 2018-2019 from the General Fund to support the initiative.

Specifies allowable uses of grant funds including hiring staff, purchasing makerspace equipment, marketing activities, establishing a school construction sustainability group, housing repair assistance for Hurricane Matthew damage, home monitoring pilot programs, and an Artist and Farmers Market.

Requires the Department of Commerce to submit annual reports by April 1 detailing spending amounts, number of residents assisted, new projects and start-ups enabled, and recommendations for program improvement.

Effective date is July 1, 2017.