2400 AMH MORR H5171

2400 AMH MORR H5171.1

HB 2400 - H AMD 912

By Representative Morris

On page 2, after line 35, insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.31 RCW to read as follows:

(1) There is established in the council under RCW 43.31.855 a grant program to support business recruitment efforts. The purpose of the program is to assist local associate development organizations in business recruitment efforts by providing grants to assist in marketing the area to businesses on a national and international basis.

(2) Applications for funding under this section must:

(a) Be submitted by either a local associate development organization or a consortium of associate development organizations;

(b) Contain evidence of active participation in the development of the business recruitment effort between local governments, the community, and other local development organizations that serve the region;

(c) Contain a description of the proposed project and how it will assist the region in its business recruitment efforts; and

(d) Contain other information the director deems necessary.

(3) In making grants under this section, the department shall give preference to applications based on the following criteria:

(a) The degree of leverage of other funds, including in-kind match, committed to the project;

(b) The degree of community support for the proposed project; and

(4) The funding of an activity under this section is not an obligation of the state of Washington to provide ongoing funding in future years.

(5) The director may establish, by rule, such other requirements as the director may reasonably determine necessary and appropriate to assure that the purpose of this section is satisfied.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 43.31 RCW to read as follows:

(1) There is established in the council under RCW 43.31.855 a grant program to support the development of local international marketing efforts. The program shall assist businesses located in distressed areas to market their products and services on an international basis by providing grants to local economic development councils to assist in developing international marketing efforts.

(2) Applications for funding under this section must:

(a) Be submitted by a local economic development council;

(b) Contain evidence of active participation in the development of the application between local governments, the business community, and other local economic development organizations in the area;

(c) Contain a description of the proposed project and how it will assist the selected businesses in the distressed area market their products and services on an international basis; and

(d) Contain other information the director deems necessary.

(3) In making awards under this section, the department shall:

(a) Not provide more than twenty-five percent of the funds appropriated for the purposes of this section to any one county;

(b) Consider the degree of other funds, including in-kind match, committed to the project;

(d) Consider the degree the proposed project is coordinated with existing state and local economic development efforts in the county.

(4) The department is responsible for determining the scope of services delivered under these contracts.

(5) Activities funded under this section may be considered for funding in future years, but shall be considered under the terms and conditions as new activities. Funding of an activity under this section shall not constitute an obligation by the state of Washington to provide ongoing funding.

(6) The director may establish, by rule, such other requirements as the director may reasonably determine necessary and appropriate to assure that the purpose of this section is satisfied.

(7) As used in this section, "distressed area" has the same meaning as in RCW 43.165.010.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The sum of four hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999, from the general fund to the state rural development council for the purposes of section 2 of this act.

(2) The sum of five hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999, from the general fund to the state rural development council for the purposes of section 3 of this act."

Correct the title.