1. (a)

   1. (1) Any for-profit or nonprofit registered, legal entity that has been in operation in Arkansas during the entire twelve-month period immediately preceding the date of proposal.
   2. (2) Exceptions may be considered on an individual basis.
2. (b) Entities applying for Office of Skills Development grants must be current on all state and federal tax obligations, and there must not currently exist any ongoing or pending litigation concerning a company's tax liability, either federal or state.
3. (c) Recipients of training under office grants must be United States citizens or legally authorized to work full-time without restriction in the United States.
4. (d) Trainees must be employed in or otherwise residents of Arkansas, or students at an Arkansas institution.
5. (e) Applicants must disclose all funding contributing to the success of the project/training.

6. (f)

   1. (1) A purpose of office grants is to increase the capacity of state-supported educational institutions and organizations to supply the ongoing training needs of Arkansas companies.
   2. (2) Where practicable, office grant applicants shall use such state-supported educational institutions and organizations and leverage requested funding to increase the capacity of same to supply ongoing training needs.
   3. (3) The office may request additional information, including documentation, regarding the credentials and employment status or other relationship of the training provider or consultant with a state-supported institution.
7. (g) Proposals must include a fiscal agent that will be responsible for managing grant funds, maintaining receipts and records, submitting the final report including financial details, and preparing for project assessments, reviews, and, as appropriate, audits.

8. (h)

   1. (1) Training that is mandated by any state or federal law, rule, or regulation is generally not eligible for funding by office grants.
   2. (2) Certain safety training courses may be allowed if part and parcel to industry-specific, customized technical training.
   3. (3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the discretion of the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet, some training mandated by law, rule, or regulation may be fundable as Professional Development or Grow Our Own training per below.

9. (i)

   1. (1) Office grant funding priorities correspond to Arkansas economic development priorities.

   2. (2) Examples of such priorities comprise:

      1. (A) Manufacturing and production;
      2. (B) Transportation and material moving;
      3. (C) Computer and information technology;
      4. (D) Healthcare and life sciences;
      5. (E) Agriculture and forestry;
      6. (F) Construction; and
      7. (G) STEM.
10. (j) Office grants are intended to support training that raises skill levels such that earning potential increases.
11. (k) Upon request, current documentation demonstrating that applicants meet the foregoing eligibility requirements must be provided.

Codification Notes: “STEM” means science, technology, engineering, and math.