The Office of Community Development shall assist municipalities in planning for and achieving economic growth and development while, at the same time, preserving and protecting their resources and assets. To achieve this purpose, the department, through the office, shall strive to remove barriers to balanced economic growth and provide planning, technical and financial resources to the municipalities to enhance economic development. [PL 2003, c. 198, §2 (AMD).] The Director of the Office of Community Development shall administer the office in accordance with the policies of the commissioner and the provisions of this chapter. The director has the following powers and duties. [PL 2003, c. 198, §3 (AMD).] 1. Establish communication network. The director shall establish a communication network by which information, resources and assistance are transferred between State Government and the municipalities. A. The director shall work with municipalities and regional community and economic development organizations. The director shall work closely with persons or organizations representing municipalities and with regional community and economic development organizations to address the development needs, problems and opportunities of municipalities and regions. [PL 1987, c. 534, Pt. A, §§17, 19 (NEW).] [PL 1987, c. 534, Pt. A, §§17, 19 (NEW).] 2. Designate local and regional community and economic development organizations. The director shall monitor the activities of designated public and private, local and regional community and economic development organizations. In order to receive financial assistance and resources from the department, an agency must demonstrate the effective administration of programs and services and the effectiveness of these programs. [PL 1987, c. 534, Pt. A, §§17, 19 (NEW).] 3. Development grants. The director, with the approval of the commissioner, may provide grants to municipalities and regional development organizations for the purpose of creating economic and community development strategies and policies. [PL 1987, c. 534, Pt. A, §§17, 19 (NEW).] 4. Provide information. The director shall provide municipalities with information about the department's programs and services and shall refer municipalities to the offices and programs within the State that can best assist them. [PL 1995, c. 395, Pt. D, §6 (AMD).] 5. Work with state agencies. The director shall work with other state agencies that administer community and economic development programs and services used by municipalities. The director shall strive to coordinate department programs and services with the programs and services of these agencies. [PL 1987, c. 816, Pt. P, §9 (AMD).] 6. Administer Community Industrial Buildings Program. [PL 2001, c. 703, §4 (RP).] 7. Oversee community development resources and programs. The director shall oversee the implementation of community development programs to include at a minimum: A. The Community Development Block Grant Program; and [PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. FF, §1 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. FF, §16 (AFF).] B. [PL 1987, c. 816, Pt. P, §10 (RP).] C. [PL 1987, c. 816, Pt. P, §10 (RP).] D. [PL 1995, c. 395, Pt. D, §7 (RP).] E. [PL 1993, c. 92, §13 (RP).] F. [PL 1995, c. 395, Pt. D, §7 (RP).] G. Training and certification for municipal code enforcement officers under Title 30-A, chapter 187, subchapter 5. [PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. FF, §1 (NEW); PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. FF, §16 (AFF).] [PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. FF, §1 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. FF, §16 (AFF).] 8. Provide technical assistance. The director shall oversee delivery of technical assistance and resources to municipalities and regional community and economic development organizations for the purpose of encouraging economic growth while maintaining the quality of life. [PL 1995, c. 395, Pt. D, §8 (AMD).] 9. Provide technical assistance and resources for local parks and recreation development. [PL 1987, c. 816, Pt. P, §12 (RP).] 10. Enforcement assistance program. [PL 1995, c. 395, Pt. D, §9 (RP).]
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