Section 1. (a) Within the executive department, but not within the governor's cabinet, there shall be a Massachusetts office of business development, in this chapter referred to as MOBD, which shall be under the control of the director of the Massachusetts office of business development. The director shall be appointed by the governor for a term conterminous with the governor's and shall not be subject to chapter 31 or section 9A of chapter 30. Upon expiration of the term of office of the director or in the event of a vacancy, a successor shall be appointed by the governor for a term conterminous with that of the governor. The director shall devote his full time during business hours to the duties of his office. The director shall be the executive and administrative head of the department and shall be responsible for administering and enforcing the laws relative to the department and to each administrative unit thereof. The director shall receive such salary as the governor shall determine; provided, however, that such salary shall be equivalent to the salary received by the director of labor and workforce development or the director of consumer affairs and business regulation.

[There is no subsection (b).]

(c) The department may make discretionary and nondiscretionary grants to persons or public or private nonprofit entities for projects and programs which further implement the mission of the department and its agencies and which benefit the general public; provided, however, that the department shall annually make a report to the secretary of administration and finance and the house and the senate committees on ways and means on the use of such funds; and provided further, that any such grant shall be used in accordance with regulations promulgated pursuant to section 15 of chapter 7A.