Bill > H670

This bill establishes the Career and College Pathways Innovation Challenge Grant Program, a competitive grant initiative designed to improve educational and workforce development outcomes in North Carolina. The program will provide up to $200,000 in grants to community colleges that develop innovative local and regional partnerships aimed at increasing postsecondary enrollment and completion, aligning educational options with labor market needs, and eliminating educational opportunity gaps. The State Board of Community Colleges will administer the program, considering applications from cross-sector collaborations that include entities like public schools, universities, local governments, community organizations, and employers. Grantees must propose initiatives such as expanding work-based learning, providing financial support beyond tuition, and engaging community resources. For the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 fiscal years, $2 million will be specifically allocated to participating community colleges in areas affected by Hurricane Helene, with the option to redistribute unused funds to other colleges. The bill appropriates $5 million in recurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to implement the program, and requires an annual report detailing grant expenditures, participating colleges, and progress toward educational and workforce goals, with data disaggregated by demographic characteristics.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H670