1. A. The A.L. Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership (the Extension Partnership), doing business as Genedge Alliance, is established as a political subdivision of the Commonwealth to help create and maintain industrial and manufacturing jobs. The Extension Partnership shall:

   1. 1. Develop, demonstrate, test, and assist in the implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies;
   2. 2. Promote industrial expansion by providing manufacturing technology consulting services to manufacturers in the Commonwealth;
   3. 3. Foster the creation of manufacturing networks and the development of buyer and supplier relationships in the region and throughout the Commonwealth;
   4. 4. Serve as a resource center for industrial training and technology transfer programs for the renewal, enhancement, and expansion of existing manufacturing enterprises and manufacturing modernization outreach;
   5. 5. Be available as a federal demonstration center for the training of displaced workers in any manufacturing area; and
   6. 6. Receive and accept any available grants from any federal, state, or private agency, corporation, association, or person to be expended in fulfilling the duties enumerated in this subsection.
2. B. The Extension Partnership is a local or regional industrial or economic development authority or organization for purposes of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).

1992, cc. 217, 668, § 23-231.8; 1994, cc. 31, 383; 1996, c. 336; 1997, c. 324; 2016, c. 588; 2020, c. 398.