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(a) An entity shall not be recognized as a regional economic development partnership under this subchapter unless the board of directors of the entity submits an application and is approved under this section.
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(b) An entity applying for approval as a regional economic development partnership shall submit an application to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission that includes the following information:
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(1) At least a three-year strategic plan that is consistent with the Governor’s Strategic Plan for Economic Development and includes the following:
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(A) The proposed activities of the regional economic development partnership; and
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(B)
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(i) A budget for the next calendar year.
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(ii) The budget should clearly identify the proposed expenditures for which the grant funds are requested;
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(2) Proof of organization;
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(3) A copy of the entity’s:
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(A) Governing documents approved by the entity’s governing board;
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(B) Bylaws; or
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(C) Articles of incorporation;
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(4) A map of the economic development region and the population served by the regional economic development partnership based on the latest decennial census;
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(5) The identity of each public organization and private organization within the economic development region that is active in economic development and a description of the role each organization will undertake in the regional economic development partnership;
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(6) A list of the current members of the board of directors and the entity each member represents; and
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(7)
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(A)
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(i) Evidence of:
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(a) The staff dedicated to the regional economic development partnership; or
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(b) The staff dedicated to program management of the regional economic development partnership.
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(ii) The staff identified under subdivision (b)(7)(A)(i) of this section may be employed by an entity other than the regional economic development partnership.
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(B) The primary responsibility of the staff members described in subdivision (b)(7)(A) of this section is to:
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(i) Market and promote the economic development region to site selectors and business prospects; and
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(ii) Accomplish the goals and objectives of the strategic plan required under subdivision (b)(1) of this section.
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(c) The commission shall review each application submitted under this section and shall certify that:
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(1) The applicant satisfies the requirements of § 15-4-3404; and
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(2) The application submitted under this section includes the information required under subsection (b) of this section.
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(d) The commission shall notify unsuccessful applicants in writing of the deficiencies of the applicant.