The General Assembly finds that:
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(1) The federal Small Business Innovation Research Program encourages innovative small businesses to engage in federal research and commercialization that has the potential for technological innovation and commercialization;
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(2) Stimulating research and commercialization grows the economy by leveraging investment, creating exportable products and services, and creating and retaining high-wage, high-tech jobs in moderately and highly skilled occupations;
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(3) Arkansas consistently ranks poorly among states in the number of federal Small Business Innovation Research grants awarded; and
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(4) An inducement, in the form of a matching grants program, is needed to encourage Arkansas businesses to apply for federal Small Business Innovation Research grants and realize economic benefits of commercialized research.