The Director may:

1. Create within the Department, as part of the Office of the Director, an Office of Business Finance and Planning to:

(a) Administer and coordinate programs related to financing for the assistance of entities engaged in business and industry in this state;

(b) Provide information to the public concerning the regulatory programs, assistance programs, and other services and activities of the Department; and

(c) Interact with other public or private entities to coordinate and improve access to the Department’s programs related to the growth and retention of business and industry in this state.

2. Create within the Department, as part of the Office of Business Finance and Planning, a Center for Business Advocacy and Services:

(a) To assist small businesses in obtaining information about financing and other basic resources which are necessary for success;

(b) In cooperation with the Executive Director of the Office of Economic Development, to increase public awareness of the importance of developing manufacturing as an industry and to assist in identifying and encouraging public support of businesses and industries that manufacture goods in this state;

(c) To serve as an advocate for small businesses, subject to the supervision of the Director or the Director’s representative, both within and outside the Department;

(d) To assist the Office of Business Finance and Planning in establishing an information and referral service within the Department that is responsive to the inquiries of business and industry which are directed to the Department or any entity within the Department; and

(e) In cooperation with the Executive Director of the Office of Economic Development, to advise the Director and the Office of Business Finance and Planning in developing and improving programs of the Department to serve more effectively and support the growth, development and diversification of business and industry in this state.

3. Require divisions, offices, commissions, boards, agencies or other entities of the Department to work together to carry out their statutory duties, to resolve or address particular issues or projects or otherwise to increase the efficiency of the operation of the Department as a whole and the level of communication and cooperation among the various entities within the Department.

(Added to NRS by 1995, 2243; A 2011, 3448)