12 2 STA T . 1 953PUBLIC LA W 11 0– 2 46—J U NE 1 8, 2008 ‘ ‘ (i i )exh i b i tcol l a bo r ati v e i n novation an d entre p rene u r s hip , particularl yw ithin a public - private partnership
and ‘‘(iii) represent a broad coalition o f interests described in section 385D (a); ‘‘( C ) include a strate g y to leverage public non- F ederal and private funds and existing assets, including agricul- tural, natural resource, and public infrastructure assets, with substantial e m phasis placed on the existence of real financial commitments to leverage available funds; ‘‘(D) create q uality j obs; ‘‘( E ) enhance the role, relevance, and leveraging poten- tial of community and regional foundations in support of regional investment strategies; ‘‘(F) demonstrate a history, or involve organi z ations with a history, of successful leveraging of capital for eco- nomic development and public purposes; ‘‘( G ) address gaps in existing basic services, including technology, within a region; ‘‘( H ) address economic diversification, including agri- cultural and non-agriculturally based economies, within a regional framewor k
‘‘( I ) improve the overall quality of life in the region; ‘‘( J ) enhance the potential to expand economic develop- ment successes across diverse stakeholder groups within the region; ‘‘( K ) include an effective working relationship with 1 or more institutions of higher education, tribally controlled colleges or universities, or tribal technical institutions; ‘‘( L ) help to meet the other regional competitiveness needs identified by a R egional B oard; or ‘‘( M ) protect and promote rural heritage . ‘‘(f) USE S. — ‘‘(1) LE V E RAG E.— A Regional Board shall prioritize projects and initiatives carried out using funds from a regional innova- tion grant provided under this section, based in part on the degree to which members of the Regional Board are able to leverage additional funds for the implementation of the projects. ‘‘( 2 ) PU R PO SES.—A Regional Board may use a regional innovation grant— ‘‘(A) to support the development of critical infrastruc- ture (including technology deployment and services) nec- essary to facilitate the competitiveness of a region; ‘‘(B) to provide assistance to entities within the region that provide essential public and community services; ‘‘(C) to enhance the value-added production, marketing, and use of agricultural and natural resources within the region, including activities relating to renewable and alter- native energy production and usage; ‘‘(D) to assist with entrepreneurship, job training, workforce development, housing, educational, or other quality of life services or needs, relating to the development and maintenance of strong local and regional economies; ‘‘(E) to assist in the development of unique new collaborations that link public, private, and philanthropic resources, including community foundations;
�
