(1) The Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation Program is hereby established under the department. The department’s administration of the program includes but is not limited to the following:
(a) Creating and making available a standardized grant application and a regional grant application;
(b) Developing a standardized scoring system pursuant to KRS § 147A.162;
(c) Reviewing and processing the applications and proposals submitted by the proposed grant recipients;
(d) Verifying and determining whether a grant applicant is an eligible grant recipient and seeking a grant for an eligible project;
(e) Evaluating the project proposed by the grant application in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in KRS § 147A.160;
(f) Scoring each grant application project pursuant to the scoring system described in KRS § 147A.162;
(g) Ranking each grant application:
1. To prioritize the greatest return on investment and relative positive impact on the priority community; and
2. Based on the project evaluation and the project score described in KRS
147A.160 and 147A.162;
(h) Compiling a list of proposed grant recipients whose eligible project demonstrates a high level of investment potential if a grant is made, as revealed by the evaluation, scoring, and ranking process described in this section and KRS § 147A.160 and KRS § 147A.162;
(i) Providing detailed feedback to the grant applicants after the project evaluation and project score are completed;
(j) Awarding matching grants to selected eligible grant recipients; and
(k) Compiling for the annual report submitted under KRS § 147A.164 the following information about the project:
1. A list of all program applicants;
2. The identity of applicants who were not selected for recommendation;
3. Trends found in feedback given to applicants who were not selected for recommendation;
4. Eligible uses of the projects cited in the grant applications; and
5. Any other information requested by the department.
(2) The department shall determine the terms, conditions, and requirements of application for grant funds awarded from the Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation Program fund. The department may establish procedures and standards for the review and approval of eligible grant awards through the promulgation of administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A.
(3) The commissioner of the department shall have the authority to hire staff, contract for services, expend funds, and operate the normal business activities of the Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation Program.
(4) The Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation Program shall sunset on December 31, 2026, unless authorized by the General Assembly to continue its work for a specified period of time.
(5) The Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts and local area development districts shall assist priority communities in identifying available grant opportunities and preparing Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation Program applications. Nothing in this subsection prevents any public agency or nonprofit entity from assisting priority communities in identifying and preparing Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation Program applications.
Effective: June 29, 2023
History: Created 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 186, sec. 3, effective June 29, 2023.