KRS 154.21-030: Application processes -- Annual report.

(1) In the implementation of the Kentucky Product Development Initiative, the

Kentucky Association for Economic Development shall:

(a) Process the grant applications;

(b) Determine whether a grant applicant is an eligible grant recipient and seeking

a grant for an eligible project;

(c) Evaluate the project site cited or proposed by each grant applicant in

accordance with the program's evaluation model described in KRS 154.21-035

and based on the criteria recommended by the third -party independent site

selection consultant;

(d) Score each grant applicant's project pursuant to the scoring system described

in KRS 154.21-040;

(e) Rank the grant applicants:

1. In a manner that prioritizes the greatest return on investment, workforce

creation, and relative positive impact on the community; and

2. Based on the project site evaluation and subsequent project score

described in KRS 154.21-035 and 154.21-040;

(f) Compile a list of proposed grant recipients whose eligible project

demonstrates a high level of investment poten tial if a grant is made, as

revealed by the evaluation, scoring, and ranking process described in this

section and KRS 154.21-035 and 154.21-040;

(g) Submit the proposed grant recipients and their prioritization to the cabinet for

final selection of the grant recipients;

(h) Provide detailed feedback to all grant applicants after the project site

evaluation and project score are completed; and

(i) Compile an annual report for the cabinet conveying the following information

about the program:

1. A list of all program applicants;

2. The identity of applicants who were not selected for recommendation;

3. Trends found in feedback given to applicants who were not selected for

recommendation;

4. Eligible uses of the properties cited in the grant applications; and

5. Any other information requested by the cabinet.

(2) The Kentucky Association for Economic Development shall contract with a third -

party independent site selection consultant to assist with the grant applicant site

evaluations, scoring, prior itization, and recommendations described in this section

and KRS 154.21-035 and 154.21-040.