1. (1) The office will use a scoring system to enable the advisory committee and the office to analyze the awarding of grants and grant amounts. The scoring system will be made available in the instructions to the application and will be based on:

   1. (a) organizational information;
   2. (b) supporting documentation;
   3. (c) entity history and qualifications;
   4. (d) project proposal;
   5. (e) scope of work;
   6. (f) budget;
   7. (g) matching funds;

   8. (h) timeline; and

      1. (i) deliverables and outcomes.
2. (2) Complete and scored applications will be presented to the advisory committee.

3. (3) A grant may only be awarded if the grant receipt agrees to:

   1. (a) for construction or renovation of a coworking and innovation center, allow use of the center for at least seven years in the rural area where the center is located; or
   2. (b) for extending or improving utilities or broadband service connections to a coworking and innovation center or for purchasing equipment, furniture, or security systems for a coworking and innovation center, allow use of the center for at least five years in the rural area where the center is located.
4. (4) If, after review of an application provided by an entity the advisory committee determines that the application provides reasonable justification for authorizing a grant and if there are available funds for the grant, the office shall enter into a written agreement with the entity for a term no longer than 18 months.
5. (5) An entity, without prior written approval from the office, may not performance on the contract until the contract agreement is completely executed.

KEY: rural coworking, economic development, working hubs

Date of Last Change: December 30, 2021

Notice of Continuation: September 10, 2024

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 63N-4-504(1)