1. (a) The department shall maintain an economic development program for rural areas in this state.

2. (b) In administering the program, the department shall:

   1. (1) promote economic growth in rural areas;
   2. (2) identify potential opportunities for business in rural areas and assist rural communities in maximizing those opportunities;
   3. (3) work with rural communities to identify economic development needs and direct those communities to persons who can address and assist in meeting those needs;
   4. (4) encourage communication between organizations, industries, and regions to improve economic and community development services to rural areas;
   5. (5) coordinate meetings with public and private entities to distribute information beneficial to rural areas;
   6. (6) enter into a memorandum of agreement to work cooperatively with the Texas Department of Economic Development, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, and other entities the department deems appropriate to further program objectives; and
   7. (7) perform any other functions necessary to carry out the program.
3. (c) The department may employ personnel to carry out the program.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 15, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.