The department may provide business assistance and related support programs, and must continuously evaluate disadvantaged businesses and maintain complete, consistent program data.
The department is authorized to: Provide assistance to disadvantaged businesses by advising and counseling on all phases of procurement policies, by obtaining information concerning prime contractors in letting subcontracts and by encouraging the letting of subcontracts by prime contractors to disadvantaged businesses; Receive funding from sources other than the state; Make studies and conduct workshops, conferences and seminars, with owners and employees of disadvantaged businesses to enhance their understandings of business management, bidding, licensing procedures, procurement procedures and any other activities incident to their positions in business; Develop training and educational programs in cooperation with institutions, associations, and other state, local and federal agencies, and coordinate the training efforts of the various organizations presently providing technical assistance to disadvantaged businesses; Encourage and provide the direction and coordination necessary to secure franchises and dealerships from private firms for disadvantaged businesses; Review and evaluate legislation and determine its effect upon disadvantaged businesses and make appropriate recommendations to the governor and the general assembly; Employ such personnel as may be required to implement and administer this chapter; and Develop sources of capital for minority entrepreneurs; Assist in setting up new minority banks, small business investment companies, as defined in 15 U.S.C. § 681(a), and minority enterprise small business investment companies, being the companies authorized in 15 U.S.C. § 681(d) [repealed]; and Develop loan packages to assist minority business persons in the start-up or expansion of businesses, or any other financial counseling necessary to enable minority business operations to operate on a sound financial basis. The department shall continually evaluate the progress of disadvantaged businesses through monitoring and techniques of evaluation, such as surveys and feasibility studies. The department shall maintain complete and consistent program data.