Section 147A.154 - Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation Program - Administration by Department for Local Government - Sunset - Assistance by area development districts(1) The Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation Program is hereby established under the department. The department's administration of the program includes but is not limited to the following: (a) Creating and making available a standardized grant application and a regional grant application;(b) Developing a standardized scoring system pursuant to KRS 147A.162;(c) Reviewing and processing the applications and proposals submitted by the proposed grant recipients;(d) Verifying and determining whether a grant applicant is an eligible grant recipient and seeking a grant for an eligible project;(e) Evaluating the project proposed by the grant application in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in KRS 147A.160;(f) Scoring each grant application project pursuant to the scoring system described in KRS 147A.162;(g) Ranking each grant application: 1. To prioritize the greatest return on investment and relative positive impact on the priority community; and2. Based on the project evaluation and the project score described in KRS 147A.160 and 147A.162;(h) Compiling a list of proposed grant recipients whose eligible project demonstrates a high level of investment potential if a grant is made, as revealed by the evaluation, scoring, and ranking process described in this section and KRS 147A.160 and 147A.162;(i) Providing detailed feedback to the grant applicants after the project evaluation and project score are completed;(j) Awarding matching grants to selected eligible grant recipients; and(k) Compiling for the annual report submitted under KRS 147A.164 the following information about the project:1. A list of all program applicants;2. The identity of applicants who were not selected for recommendation;3. Trends found in feedback given to applicants who were not selected for recommendation;4. Eligible uses of the projects cited in the grant applications; and5. Any other information requested by the department.(2) The department shall determine the terms, conditions, and requirements of application for grant funds awarded from the Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation Program fund. The department may establish procedures and standards for the review and approval of eligible grant awards through the promulgation of administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A.(3) The commissioner of the department shall have the authority to hire staff, contract for services, expend funds, and operate the normal business activities of the Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation Program.(4) The Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation Program shall sunset on April 15, 2025. The department shall not accept any application or obligate any funds under KRS 147A.158 on or after April 15, 2024.(5) The Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts and local area development districts shall assist priority communities in identifying available grant opportunities and preparing Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation Program applications. Nothing in this subsection prevents any public agency or nonprofit entity from assisting priority communities in identifying and preparing Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation Program applications.Amended by 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 188,§ 9, eff. 4/12/2024.Added by 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 186,§ 3, eff. 6/28/2023.