(a)

1. (1) An application for a new secondary technical center must be submitted to the Associate Director of the Office of Skills Development in the Department of Commerce on or before October 1, prior to the school year in which the center is scheduled to open.
2. (2) Guidelines and application for a new secondary technical center may be obtained by contacting the Office of Skills Development at (501) 683-1152.

(b)

1. (1) Priority shall be given to the following:

   1. (A) A region that is currently not being served by a center; and
   2. (B) Program alignment with state and regional economic development strategies and workforce priorities.
2. (2) A center will not be approved within twenty-five (25) miles of an existing center unless it can be demonstrated that the creation of a new center will not adversely impact adjoining centers.

(c)

1. (1) A sponsoring institution/entity (public high school, postsecondary technical institute, two-year college, or education service cooperative) that has been approved by the Career Education and Workforce Development Board as a secondary technical center must begin operation with three (3) occupational-specific programs.
2. (2) Only occupational-specific programs will be eligible for secondary technical center funding.

(e)

1. (1) A secondary technical center that closes and desires to resume operation must submit a new application to the board for approval.
2. (2) A center that is approved by the board for startup but fails to begin operation within a two-year period shall be considered null and void and must reapply.