(a) The Legislature hereby finds that educational and economic development require an integrated program of support for research and development, assistance in the transfer of technological innovations and discoveries to public and private enterprises and facilitation of the commercialization of intellectual property. To that end, the state recognizes the need for:
(1) Informed analysis of the status of science and technology research, development and commercialization capabilities, infrastructure and activities within West Virginia and the development of innovative options that build upon and expand them with the goal of increasing the gross state product;