Section 161. Administration

In futherance of these purposes, the department
  of economic development is hereby authorized and directed to:
    (a)   Encourage,   facilitate   and   coordinate   the   planning  and
  implementation of programs to advertise, stimulate, promote and increase
  tourist travel, resort,  vacation,  culture  and  convention  activities
  within the state and its regions with such flexibility as to bring about
  as effective and economical a tourist promotion plan as possible;
    (b)  Establish  and  publish on an annual basis guidelines relative to
  the use  of  funds  to  be  granted  hereunder.  Such  guidelines  shall
  authorize  the  use  of  funds  for  the promotion of year round tourist
  travel, resort, vacation, culture and convention activities;
    (c) Accept or reject applications for matching  funds  for  recognized
  advertising  programs  by  tourist  promotion  agencies  on the basis of
  annually published guidelines;
    (d) Authorize the payment of funds in accordance with this act and the
  rules and regulations of the comptroller out of the  appropriation  made
  pursuant hereto; and
    (e) Do all things necessary, desirable and convenient to carry out its
  powers, functions and duties hereunder.