Section 24-48.5-404 - Steering committee - creation - duties(1) The office shall assemble a steering committee for purposes of supporting the program administrator in implementing and administering the grant program, including developing an application process and establishing grant application selection and prioritization criteria. The steering committee must consist of no fewer than five and no more than eight members, at least one of whom must represent a rural area of the state. Members of the steering committee must be business, civic, education, and nonprofit professionals and include at least one representative of a two-year institution of higher education and at least one representative of a four-year institution of higher education.(2) In coordination with the program administrator, the steering committee shall: (a) Engage professional and support staff, including consultants, third-party contractors, intermediaries, and office staff, to assist the program administrator and the steering committee in performing their activities;(b) Establish a process for entities to apply for grants to fund talent development initiatives;(c) Develop grant application selection and prioritization criteria that are transparent, are evidence-based, are regionally equitable, encourage innovation, and are based on the goals specified in section 24-48.5-405 (1)(c); and(d) Outline a clear and transparent evaluation process.Added by 2022 Ch. 233, § 1, eff. 5/26/2022.