Section 640.240  Eligible Program Activities

a)         The Department may provide financing to or on behalf of an eligible applicant in the State for the purpose of industry or region wide research directed to profit oriented uses of rural resources (Section 3(d)(iii) of the Act) including:

1)         Region-wide research, such as feasibility studies, opportunity analyses, reuse studies, needs assessments, cost/benefit analyses or other studies required by a rural community in order to explore its options for economic development or diversification.

2)         Business and industry research and reports such as market analyses, production analyses, customer surveys, feasibility studies, and related research to explore, identify or create new markets for actual or potential rural businesses.

b)         The Department may provide financing to or on behalf of an eligible applicant in the State for the purpose of information, technical support and technical assistance contracts regarding private, State and federal resources, programs or grant assistances and the needs and opportunities for diversification (Section 5 (a)(v) of the Act) including:

1)         Community information and training including conferences and workshops and technical or reference guides on private, local, state and federal programs, services or resources related to community or economic development needs, opportunities, strategies and programs.

2)         Technical support and technical assistance including on-site technical advice and problem solving or self-help technical assistance related to the needs or opportunities for public or private responses to rural or agricultural diversification.