CHAPTER 9.7. OFFICE OF RURAL AFFAIRS - Indiana Statutes

IC 4-4-9.7
     Chapter 9.7. Office of Rural Affairs

IC 4-4-9.7-1
"Director"
     Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "director" refers to the director of the office of community and rural affairs appointed under section 5 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.83-2005, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.144-2006, SEC.2.

IC 4-4-9.7-2
"Office"
     Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "office" refers to the office of community and rural affairs established by section 4 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.83-2005, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.144-2006, SEC.3.

IC 4-4-9.7-3
"Secretary"
     Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "secretary" refers to the lieutenant governor as secretary of agriculture and rural development, as provided in IC 4-4-2.3.
As added by P.L.83-2005, SEC.5.

IC 4-4-9.7-4
Office of community and rural affairs established
     Sec. 4. The office of community and rural affairs is established.
As added by P.L.83-2005, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.144-2006, SEC.4.

IC 4-4-9.7-5
Director; appointment; chief executive and administrative officer; employees
     Sec. 5. (a) The secretary shall appoint an individual to be the director of the office.
    (b) The director:
        (1) serves at the secretary's pleasure;
        (2) is entitled to receive compensation in an amount set by the secretary subject to the approval of the budget agency under IC 4-12-1-13; and
        (3) is responsible to the secretary.
    (c) The director is the chief executive and administrative officer of the office.
    (d) The director may appoint employees in the manner provided by IC 4-15-2 and fix their compensation, subject to the approval of the budget agency under IC 4-12-1-13.
    (e) The director may delegate the director's authority to the appropriate office staff.
As added by P.L.83-2005, SEC.5.

IC 4-4-9.7-6
Duties of office      Sec. 6. The office shall do the following:
        (1) Administer the rural economic development fund under section 9 of this chapter.
        (2) Administer the Indiana main street program under IC 4-4-16.
        (3) Administer the community development block grant program.
As added by P.L.83-2005, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.144-2006, SEC.5.

IC 4-4-9.7-7
Office may adopt rules
     Sec. 7. The office may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to carry out the duties, purposes, and functions of this chapter.
As added by P.L.144-2006, SEC.6.

IC 4-4-9.7-8
Director shall establish advisory board
     Sec. 8. The director shall establish a board to advise the office in the implementation of the duties of the office.
As added by P.L.144-2006, SEC.7.

IC 4-4-9.7-9
Rural economic development fund
     Sec. 9. (a) The rural economic development fund is established for the purpose of enhancing and developing rural communities. The fund shall be administered by the office.
    (b) The expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from the money in the fund.
    (c) Notwithstanding IC 5-13, the treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund under IC 5-10.3-5. The treasurer of state may contract with investment management professionals, investment advisers, and legal counsel to assist in the management of the fund and may pay the state expenses incurred under those contracts.
    (d) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund.
    (e) Money in the fund may be used for the following purposes:
        (1) To create, assess, and assist a pilot project to enhance the economic and community development in a rural area.
        (2) To establish a local revolving loan fund for:
            (A) an industrial;
            (B) a commercial;
            (C) an agricultural; or
            (D) a tourist;
        venture.
        (3) To provide a loan for an economic development project in a rural area.
        (4) To provide technical assistance to a rural organization.
        (5) To assist in the development and creation of a rural cooperative.         (6) To address rural workforce development challenges.
        (7) To assist in addressing telecommunications needs in a rural area.
        (8) To provide funding for rural economic development projects concerning the following issues:
            (A) Infrastructure, including water, wastewater, and storm water infrastructure needs.
            (B) Housing.
            (C) Health care.
            (D) Local planning.
            (E) Land use.
            (F) Other rural economic development issues, as determined by the office.
        (9) To provide funding for the establishment of new regional rural development groups and the operation of existing regional rural development groups.
    (f) Expenditures from the fund are subject to appropriation by the general assembly and approval by the office.
As added by P.L.144-2006, SEC.8.