Regional collaboration regarding manufacturing economic development; proposals for federal funds; authority to enter into agreements

(1) The Oregon Business Development Department shall facilitate regional collaboration among manufacturing economic development stakeholders through consultation with and support of the Pacific Northwest Manufacturing Partnership in the geographic regions represented by the partnership by: (a) Providing financial assistance to businesses, programs and entities engaged in manufacturing economic development that are working in collaboration with, or with the financial or technical assistance of, the partnership; (b) Identifying and recruiting qualified investors and other sources of capital to support members of the partnership or manufacturing economic development projects identified by the partnership that are eligible for financial or technical assistance; and (c) Entering into contracts and agreements with institutions of higher education, research facilities, economic development entities and other manufacturing economic development entities for the purpose of supporting the goals and objectives of the partnership. (2) The department shall act on behalf of the partnership to apply or submit proposals for any federal funds, at the request of the partnership, that the partnership and the department determine will assist the partnership to achieve its goals and objectives, including but not limited to funding available to designated manufacturing communities through the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership program in the United States Economic Development Administration. The department may accept and enter into any contracts or agreements on behalf of the partnership for the receipt of the funds from the federal government or its agencies.