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<section article="gec" article_name="Economic Development" number="13-739" title_number="13" title_name="Regional Development Resources" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Tri-County Council for Western Maryland">
  <level label="a">
    <text>There is a Senator George C. Edwards Fund.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The purpose of the Fund is to provide grant or loan funding to create jobs and significant economic development opportunities in the region.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The Council shall administer the Fund.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Fund consists of:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>appropriations as provided in the State budget;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>interest or other income earned on the investment of money in the Fund; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>any other money accepted for the benefit of the Fund.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>In each of fiscal years 2024 through 2026, the Governor shall include in the annual operating or capital budget bill an appropriation of at least $10,000,000 to the Fund.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>Money in the Fund may be used only to:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>award grants and provide loans in accordance with § 13–740 of this subtitle; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>pay the costs necessary to administer the Fund, including paying the salary of the Executive Director.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to reversion under § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The State Treasurer shall invest the money in the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Any investment earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
