Sec. 490A.005. GENERAL DUTIES AND GOALS. (a) The network shall train and refocus existing state and local resources to build a more prosperous, dynamic, and sustainable economy throughout this state by:

(1) providing coordinated training and services that enhance the value of the state's existing infrastructure investments and make the investments available to entrepreneur participants;

(2) developing a statewide network of entrepreneurship developers and entrepreneurship centers as provided by Section 490A.006;

(3) developing a comprehensive network of knowledge, leadership, and financial capital resources accessible through the network's entrepreneurship developers and entrepreneurship centers;

(4) educating entrepreneur participants and generating awareness of the network and its programs;

(5) identifying the most promising ventures through activities, including business-plan competitions, and assisting the ventures' potential for job and wealth creation;

(6) developing evaluation methods to measure the effectiveness of the network and the impact of entrepreneurship on local and regional economies;

(7) developing best practices for successful entrepreneurship and applied research regarding critical success factors for entrepreneurial businesses to provide a strategic competitive advantage for businesses in this state; and

(8) collaborating with existing local, state, and federal agencies and economic development professionals to use the strengths and assets of the agencies and professionals.

(b) The network shall work locally, regionally, and statewide with educators, agencies, organizations, networks, businesses, economic developers, consultants, communities, researchers, or other persons to develop and support strategies to assist entrepreneur participants and improve the environment for entrepreneurial development in this state.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 593 (H.B. 1747), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Renumbered from Government Code, Section 490.005 by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 921 (H.B. 3167), Sec. 17.001(30), eff. September 1, 2007.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 921 (H.B. 3167), Sec. 17.002(5), eff. September 1, 2007.