The purpose of the division of business development shall be to attract new business and industry from outside the state and promote and encourage the growth, diversification, innovation and retention of existing Kansas business and industry, in rural and urban Kansas, thereby creating quality jobs, attracting new capital investment, and expanding and diversifying the state’s economic tax base. In defining this purpose, the department and the state government shall recognize that the future of the Kansas economy depends largely on the creation of diversified, value added, primary economic activity that imports new quality jobs, income and wealth into the state. The division of business development is hereby authorized and empowered to:

(a) Foster a climate of agricultural and industrial development by providing incentives to businesses and industries located principally outside the state to expand, locate or relocate within the state;

(b) to engage in recruitment of such businesses and industries by identifying, contacting and informing them of the benefits of expanding, locating or relocating in Kansas;

(c) maintain and keep current all available information regarding the industrial opportunities and possibilities of the state, including raw materials and by-products; power and water resources; transportation facilities; available markets and the marketing limitations of the state; labor supply; banking and financing facilities; availability of industrial sites; and the advantages the state and its particular sections have as industrial locations; and such information shall be used for the encouragement of new industries in the state and the expansion of existing industries within the state;

(d) to assist counties and cities in industrial development through the establishment of industrial development corporations, including site surveys, small business administration problems, and render such other similar assistance as may be required; and in those instances where it is deemed appropriate, to contract with and make a service charge to the county or city involved for such services rendered; and

(e) to acquaint the people of this state with the industries within the state and encourage closer cooperation between the agricultural, commercial and industrial enterprises and the people of the state.

(f) Provide programs that facilitate the development of existing industries and startup industries;

(g) facilitate the availability of capital for business growth and quality job creation;

(h) foster the development of a coordinated statewide network of business assistance programs;

(i) encourage the development of minority and women-owned businesses;

(j) pursue initiatives that expand the market for Kansas products and services;

(k) assist small business by providing assistance in interpreting and applying the laws and administrative rules and regulations of the state applying to such businesses; and

(l) make performance grants available to certified development companies and small business development centers as key constituent elements of a “statewide risk capital system” subject to legislative appropriations. Such grants shall be made to provide secure base levels of funding and incentives for providing financial and technical assistance through the statewide risk capital system to primary, job creating enterprises. The method of distribution of the grants shall be developed by the division in consultation with the certified development companies and small business development centers. Prior to establishing the method of distribution, the division in consultation with the certified development companies and small business development centers shall perform a survey and analysis of the effectiveness of existing methods of distribution for funding in other states. The method of distribution shall include provision for the establishment of performance standards and performance review prior to initial funding and for all subsequent refunding. The method of distribution shall also provide a formula for base levels of funding which considers all current levels of federal, state and other existing funding, and which recognizes different needs based upon differences in client populations and areas served. The method of distribution proposed shall give priority to the use of state funds for incentive funding where possible, and shall specifically encourage co-location of services essential to an effective and efficient statewide risk capital system.