Section 640.290  Rural Diversification Review Committee

a)         There is created an internal review committee with the Director of the Rural Affairs Council, or his designee, the Director of the Department of Agriculture, or his designee, and the Director of the Illinois Farm Development Authority, or his designee and other members as deemed necessary by the Director of the Department to assist in the review of all project applications (Section 5(c) of the Act).

b)         Within 10 working days of the application due date, the "Internal Review committee" shall meet to review all project applications. The committee will identify applications for grant consideration based upon analysis of the applicant organization, the project design and the project's readiness in accordance with the requirements of subsections (c) through (e) of this Section.

c)         Project Implementation Readiness – The applicant must demonstrate project readiness, including:

1)         a time schedule for immediate project initiation;

2)         written cost estimates which support project costs; and

3)         scope of activities which can be conducted within the grant agreement time period.

d)         Project Administrative Capacity – The applicant must demonstrate:

1)         its capability of successfully completing the proposed project, based on past experience or previous performance; and

2)         its capability of complying with grant agreement based on past experience, or previous performance.

e)         Program Objectives and Methodology – The applicant must demonstrate the activities and outcomes of the project are accomplishable, such that:

1)         objectives are measurable and describe benefit to the population or area being served; and

2)         methods and sequence of activities logically address the problems or opportunities identified and achieve the objectives that have been set.