(a) Application process.

1. (1) The Arkansas Economic Development Commission will periodically solicit Military Affairs Grant Program applications as funding becomes available.
2. (2) To request funds under the program, eligible applicants shall, using forms prescribed by the commission, submit a completed, signed application with all supporting documentation to the Military Affairs Director by the specified submittal due date.

3. (3) Applications shall include:

   1. (A) A project title;
   2. (B) Applicant contact information;
   3. (C) Organizational information;
   4. (D) Sources of all funds, including prior program awards, for this project;
   5. (E) Previous program awards not included in subdivision (a)(3)(D) of this section, above;
   6. (F) Proposal information;
   7. (G) The amount of funding requested; and
   8. (H) Start and completion dates of the project.

(b) Application review and approval. No grant offer shall be made by the Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to an applicant until the applicant has completed the following review and approval process:

1. (1) The Military Affairs Director shall conduct a preliminary review of each application to confirm that it:

   1. (A) Was received on or before the due date specified in the application solicitation;
   2. (B) Was submitted by an eligible applicant;
   3. (C) Meets the objectives of the program;
   4. (D) Identifies clearly defined, measurable outcomes;
   5. (E) Includes a letter of support from the installation commander if the project is located within the legal boundaries of the military installation; and
   6. (F) Is complete, including all required appendices and attachments;
2. (2) All applications meeting preliminary review requirements, as determined by the Military Affairs Director, will be forwarded to the Arkansas Military Affairs Council at least fifteen (15) days prior to the next scheduled council meeting;

3. (3) The council shall:

   1. (A) Review each application in accordance with the Military Affairs Grant Program Funding Recommendation Worksheet; and
   2. (B) Forward completed Military Affairs Grant Program Funding Recommendation Worksheets to the Military Affairs Director;

4. (4) The Military Affairs Director shall review each application in accordance with:

   1. (A) The commission’s scoring criteria; and
   2. (B) Funding recommendations provided by the council;
5. (5) Upon completion of reviews, the Military Affairs Director will provide funding recommendations to the Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission; and

6. (6)

   1. (A) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, after reviewing the Military Affairs Director’s recommendations, will specify which applicants may receive grants.
   2. (B) Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing by the Military Affairs Director.
   3. (C) Approved applicants will be required to execute a grant agreement with the commission outlining the amount, terms, and conditions of the grant.