7798602.2-2486Virginia Decodedhttps://vacode.org2016Administration Of GovernmentOrganization Of State GovernmentState Authorities, Boards, Commissions, Councils, Foundations And Other Collegial BodiesBoardsVirginia Growth And Opportunity Act.Powers and duties of the Board2016, cc. 778, 779.http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/2.2-2486/2.2-4000Short title; purpose/2.2-4000//2.2-2486/2.2/I/D/24/26/2.2-2486The Board shall have the power and duty to:sectionAA1 Designate regions for the purpose of administering this article;sectionA1A12 Certify qualifying regions and regional councils, including developing and implementing guidelines or procedures for such certification;sectionA2A22 Develop and implement guidelines and procedures for the application for and use of any moneys in the Fund;sectionA3A32 Receive and assess applications for awards from the Fund submitted by regional councils and determine the distribution, duration, and termination of awards from the Fund for uses identified in such applications;sectionA4A42 Advise the Governor on the allocation and prioritization of other funds available within the executive branch that may be used to promote economic and workforce development on a regional basis;sectionA5A52 Advise the Governor on the provision of technical assistance regarding the organization and operation of regional councils, the preparation of applications for Fund awards, and the development, validation, and assessment of regional economic growth and diversification plans and regional activities that receive grants from the Fund;sectionA6A62 Provide for the collection and dissemination of information concerning local, state, national, and other best practices related to collaborative regional economic and workforce development initiatives that focus on private-sector growth and opportunity;sectionA7A72 Seek independent analytical assistance from outside consultants, including post-grant assessments and reviews to evaluate the results and outcomes of grants awarded pursuant to this article;sectionA9A92 Enter into contracts to provide services to regional councils to assist with prioritization, analysis, planning, and implementation of regional activities;sectionA10A102 Perform such other activities and functions as the Governor and General Assembly may direct.sectionA12A122The development of guidelines and procedures to implement the provisions of this article shall be exempt from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).sectionBB1