The director of development shall do all of the following with regard to the encouraging diversity, growth, and equity program created under section 123.152 of the Revised Code:
(A) Conduct outreach, marketing, and recruitment of EDGE business enterprises, as defined in that section;
(B) Provide assistance to the department of administrative services, as needed, to certify new EDGE business enterprises and to train appropriate state agency staff;
(C) Provide business development services to EDGE business enterprises in the developmental and transitional stages of the program, including financial and bonding assistance and management and technical assistance;
(D) Develop a mentor program to bring businesses into a working relationship with EDGE business enterprises in a way that commercially benefits both entities and serves the purpose of the EDGE program;
(E) Not later than December 31, 2003, prepare and submit to the governor a detailed report outlining and evaluating the progress made in implementing the encouraging diversity, growth, and equity program;
(F) Establish processes by which an EDGE business enterprise may apply for contract assistance, financial and bonding assistance, management and technical assistance, and mentoring opportunities.
Effective Date: 09-26-2003.