ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

(a) The department shall maintain an economic development program for rural areas in this state. (b) In administering the program, the department shall: (1) promote economic growth in rural areas; (2) identify potential opportunities for business in rural areas and assist rural communities in maximizing those opportunities; (3) work with rural communities to identify economic development needs and direct those communities to persons who can address and assist in meeting those needs; (4) encourage communication between organizations, industries, and regions to improve economic and community development services to rural areas; (5) coordinate meetings with public and private entities to distribute information beneficial to rural areas; (6) enter into a memorandum of agreement to work cooperatively with the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and other entities the department deems appropriate to further program objectives; and (7) perform any other functions necessary to carry out the program. (c) The department may employ personnel to carry out the program. (d) The department by rule may charge a membership fee to a participant in the program. (e) The department may adopt rules as necessary to administer the program, including rules regarding the use of any state or federally registered trademarks, certification marks, or service marks of the department. (f) The department may revoke a participant's certificate of registration or license issued under the program if the participant fails to comply with a rule adopted by the department. (g) In addition to the department's authority under Subsection (a), the department may request, accept, and use any gift, grant, loan, donation, aid, appropriation, guaranty, allocation, subsidy, or contribution of any item of value to further an economic development program in this state.