Section 192. Administration

The  department,  in  furtherance  of  the
  objectives of the industrial effectiveness program, is hereby authorized
  and directed to:
    1.  provide  productivity  assessments  and  feasibility  studies   to
  industrial  firms  that  have requested such assistance directly or upon
  referral by the  department's  regional  offices,  the  New  York  state
  science  and technology foundation, the New York state urban development
  corporation,  or  by  other  state  agencies,  authorities,  offices  or
  commissions.  Such  productivity assessments and feasibility studies may
  be provided directly  by  the  department  or  by  experts  retained  or
  supervised by the department. Any expenditures for such assistance other
  than  for  preliminary  productivity  assessments or feasibility studies
  shall be based on a plan reviewed and approved by the commissioner.  The
  following factors shall be considered in determining whether to  provide
  a  productivity  assessment  or feasibility study to an industrial firm:
  (a) the potential viability  of  the  company;  (b)  the  commitment  of
  management     and     labor     to    jointly    participate    in    a
  productivity-improvement program;  and  (c)  whether  interests  of  the
  employees  of  the  firm  would be served by such assistance. Industrial
  firms and potential purchasers of existing industrial firms shall  share
  the  cost  of a productivity assessment or feasibility study provided by
  experts  retained  or  supervised  by  the  department.  The  level   of
  contribution  by  a  firm  or by potential purchasers toward the cost of
  such an assessment or feasibility study shall not  be  less  than  fifty
  percent of the total cost;
    2.  identify  public  and  private  sources  of expertise available to
  assess productivity problems of  industrial  firms  and  to  work  under
  contract  or  in cooperation with the department in assisting such firms
  to undertake productivity-improvement activities;
    3. identify individuals and firms with a distinctive competence in  at
  least  one  area  related to industrial productivity, such as industrial
  management,  operations,  production  technology,  marketing  or   labor
  relations  and  training,  and a demonstrated ability to serve small and
  medium-sized industrial firms, for the purposes of referring  small  and
  medium-sized  industrial firms with identified needs to consultants with
  relevant expertise;
    4. design and conduct seminars  and  workshops  to  inform  industrial
  managers,  union  leaders,  trade  associations,  and  other appropriate
  individuals and organizations,  of  industrial  productivity-improvement
  methods  and  approaches and to demonstrate their successful adoption in
  similar firms;
    5. publish a periodic newsletter to report  on  productivity  research
  projects  and  case  studies,  market the program's services and provide
  such other information as the commissioner deems appropriate;
    6. conduct educational programs  to  inform  industrial  firms,  labor
  organizations,  banking  organizations and other financial institutions,
  and industrial or local development agencies of the benefits  and  risks
  associated with, and methods for effectuating, the transfer of ownership
  of industrial firms to employees, managers or other local investors;
    7.  promote  the  services and assistance available under this article
  for industrial firms, to such  firms  and  to  municipal  officials  and
  agencies,  regional  and local economic development entities, technology
  development  organizations,  trade  associations,  business  and   labor
  organizations and other appropriate entities;
    8.  provide  short-term  management  consulting services to industrial
  firms, directly or through contracts, in order to assist such firms with
  assessing management, operations, market or financial problems;

    9. provide information on state-sponsored programs offering  financial
  or  technical  assistance  to  industrial  firms  and  aid such firms in
  applying for assistance;
    10.  identify  industrial  firms in danger of closing or substantially
  reducing operations.