| (3) | The office shall:
| (a) | consistent with the statewide economic development strategy, coordinate and align into a single effort the activities of the economic opportunity agencies in the field of economic development; |
| (b) | provide support and direction to economic opportunity agencies in establishing goals, metrics, and activities that align with the statewide economic development strategy; |
| (c) | administer and coordinate state and federal economic development grant programs; |
| (d) | promote and encourage the economic, commercial, financial, industrial, agricultural, and civic welfare of the state; |
| (e) | develop the statewide economic development strategy consistent with the state water policy described in Section 73-1-21, including the state's commitment to appropriate:
| (ii) | efficient and optimal use of water resources; |
| (iii) | infrastructure development and improvement; |
| (iv) | optimal agricultural use; |
| (vi) | reasonable access to recreational activities; |
| (vii) | effective wastewater treatment; and |
| (viii) | protecting and restoring health ecosystems; |
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| (f) | at least once every five years, identify which industry or groups of industries shall be targeted for economic development in the state; |
| (g) | promote and encourage the employment of workers in the state and the purchase of goods and services produced in the state by local businesses; |
| (h) | act to create, develop, attract, and retain business, industry, and commerce in the state:
| (i) | in accordance with the statewide economic development strategy; and |
| (ii) | subject to the restrictions in Section 11-41-103; |
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| (i) | act to enhance the state's economy; |
| (j) | analyze the state's projected long-term population and economic growth and plan for the anticipated impacts of the projected growth in a manner that improves quality of life and is consistent with the statewide economic development strategy and state strategic goals; |
| (k) | act to assist strategic industries that are likely to drive future economic growth; |
| (l) | assist communities in the state in developing economic development capacity and coordination with other communities; |
| (m) | develop strategies and plans to ensure comprehensive economic development efforts are targeted to the unique needs of rural areas of the state; |
| (n) | identify areas of education and workforce development in the state that can be improved to support economic and business development; |
| (o) | develop core strategic priorities for the office, which may include:
| (i) | enhancing statewide access to entrepreneurship opportunities and small business support; |
| (ii) | focusing industry recruitment and expansion of targeted industries; |
| (iii) | ensuring that in awarding competitive economic development incentives the office accurately measures the benefits and costs of the incentives; and |
| (iv) | assisting communities with technical support to aid those communities in improving economic development opportunities; |
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| (p) | submit an annual written report as described in Section 63N-1a-306; and |
| (q) | perform other duties as provided by the Legislature. |
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