(a)
In general— An eligible entity that desires to receive a grant under this title shall—
(1)
establish a task force, consisting of leaders from the public, nonprofit, and manufacturing sectors, representatives of labor organizations, representatives of elementary schools and secondary schools, and representatives of institutions of higher education, to apply for and carry out a grant under this title; and
(2)
submit an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Partnership may require.
(b)
Application contents— The application described in subsection (a)(2) shall include—
(1)
a description of the task force that the eligible entity has assembled to design the proposal described in paragraph (2);
(2)
a proposal that—
(A)
identifies, as of the date of the application—
(i)
the current strengths of the State or metropolitan area represented by the eligible entity in manufacturing; and
(ii)
areas for new growth opportunities in manufacturing;
(B)
identifies, as of the date of the application, manufacturing workforce and skills challenges preventing the eligible entity from expanding in the areas identified under subparagraph (A)(ii), such as—
(i)
a lack of availability of—
(I)
strong career and technical education;
(II)
educational programs in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics; or
(III)
a skills training system; or
(ii)
an absence of customized training for existing industrial businesses and sectors;
(C)
identifies challenges faced within the manufacturing sector by underrepresented and disadvantaged workers, including veterans, in the State or metropolitan area represented by the eligible entity;
(D)
provides strategies, designed by the eligible entity, to address challenges identified in subparagraphs (B) and (C) through tangible projects and investments, with the deep and sustainable involvement of manufacturing businesses;
(E)
identifies and leverages innovative and effective career and technical education or skills training programs in the field of manufacturing that are available in the eligible entity;
(F)
leverages other Federal funds in support of such strategies;
(G)
reforms State or local policies and governance, as applicable, in support of such strategies; and
(H)
holds the eligible entity accountable, on a regular basis, through a set of transparent performance measures, including a timeline for the grant period describing when specific milestones and reforms will be achieved; and
(3)
a description of the source of the matching funds required under subsection (d) that the eligible entity will use if selected for a grant under this title.
(c)
Award basis—
(1)
Selection basis and maximum number of grants—
(A)
In general— The Partnership shall award grants under this title, by not earlier than January 1, 2015, and not later than March 31, 2015, to the eligible entities that submit the strongest and most comprehensive proposals under subsection (b)(2).
(B)
Maximum number of grants— For any grant period, the Partnership shall award not more than 5 grants under this title to eligible entities representing States and not more than 5 grants to eligible entities representing metropolitan areas.
(2)
Amount of grants—
(A)
In general— The Partnership shall award grants under this title in an amount that averages, for all grants issued for a 3-year grant period, $10,000,000 for each year, subject to subparagraph (C) and paragraph (3).
(B)
Amount— In determining the amount of each grant for an eligible entity, the Partnership shall take into consideration the size of the industrial base of the eligible entity.
(C)
Insufficient appropriations— For any grant period for which the amounts available to carry out this title are insufficient to award grants in the amount described in subparagraph (A), the Partnership shall award grants in amounts determined appropriate by the Partnership.
(3)
Funding contingent on performance— In order for an eligible entity to receive funds under a grant under this title for the second or third year of the grant period, the eligible entity shall demonstrate to the Partnership that the eligible entity has achieved the specific reforms and milestones required under the timeline included in the eligible entity's proposal under subsection (b)(2)(H).
(4)
Consultation with policy experts— The Partnership shall assemble a panel of manufacturing policy experts and manufacturing leaders from the private sector to serve in an advisory capacity in helping to oversee the competition and review the competition's effectiveness.
(d)
Matching funds— An eligible entity receiving a grant under this title shall provide matching funds toward the grant in an amount of not less than 50 percent of the costs of the activities carried out under the grant. Matching funds under this subsection shall be from non-Federal sources and shall be in cash or in-kind.