Section 211. Development centers

1. The department shall provide grants,
  within available appropriations, on a competitive basis, in response  to
  a  request  for  proposals  to  pilot  development  centers,  to provide
  intensive community-based management and technical  assistance  targeted
  primarily  to  minority  group  members,  women  and  individuals with a
  disability who are  seeking  to  start  or  are  starting  new  business
  ventures.
    2.   The   department  shall  establish  criteria  for  selection  and
  designation of such development centers which shall include, but not  be
  limited to:
    (a)  the  level  of  participation  in the development center of local
  leaders in post-secondary education, business, finance and government;
    (b) the level of financial assistance provided at the local  level  to
  support the operations of the development center;
    (c)  the  applicant's  understanding  of  program goals and objectives
  articulated by the department;
    (d) the plans of the development center to supplement state and  local
  funding  through fees for services which may be based on a sliding scale
  based on ability to pay;
    (e) the need for and anticipated impact of the development  center  on
  the community in which it will function;
    (f) the quality of the proposed work plan and staff of the development
  center; and
    (g) the extent of economic distress in the area to be served.
    3. Each development center shall:
    (a) be operated by a board of directors representing community leaders
  in business, education, finance and government;
    (b) be incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation;
    (c) be located in an area accessible to eligible clients;
    (d)  establish  an  advisory  group  of community business experts, at
  least one-half of whom shall be representative of the  clientele  to  be
  served  by  the  center,  which  shall  constitute  a support network to
  provide counseling and mentoring services  to  minority  group  members,
  women  and  individuals  with  a  disability  from  the concept stage of
  development through the first one to two years of existence on a regular
  basis and as needed thereafter during the first  five  years  of  a  new
  venture; and
    (e)  establish  a  referral system and linkages to existing area small
  business assistance programs and financing sources.
    4. Each development center shall provide needed services  to  eligible
  clients, including, but not limited to:
    (a) orientation and screening of prospective entrepreneurs;
    (b) analysis of business concepts and technical feasibility;
    (c) market analysis;
    (d) management analysis and counseling;
    (e) business planning and financial planning assistance;
    (f) referrals to financial resources; and
    (g)  referral  to  existing  educational programs for training in such
  areas as marketing, accounting and other such training programs  as  may
  be necessary and available; and
    (h)  referral to business incubator facilities, where appropriate, for
  the purpose  of  entering  into  agreements  to  access  shared  support
  services.