Distributions to assist rural jurisdictions with applications for funding

(1) The Oregon Business Development Department shall distribute moneys in the Oregon Rural Capacity Fund established under ORS 285B.676 to provide resources to Oregon’s Economic Development Districts for the purposes of assisting rural jurisdictions to learn about, successfully apply for and administer grants and other forms of funding available from any public or private source. The rural jurisdictions shall use such resources solely to attain the staffing and financial and technical capacity necessary to carry out proactive strategies for workforce, infrastructure, economic and community development in the rural jurisdictions. (2) The district association shall assist, or provide for assistance to, rural jurisdictions by means that include, but are not limited to: (a) Outreach to the rural jurisdictions about grants and other forms of funding; (b) Employment of grant writers or grant administrators to directly assist the rural jurisdictions in applying for grants and other forms of funding; (c) Direct assistance in administering grants awarded to the rural jurisdictions; and (d) Working with state agencies to coordinate investments in water and sewer systems, roads and other elements of basic infrastructure needed in cities in rural areas.