Effective 28 Aug 2012

620.2400. MERVN established, management of, purpose, requirements — report required. — 1. There is hereby established the "Missouri Entrepreneur Resource Virtual Network (MERVN)" to be managed by Missouri small business and technology development centers. The centers shall seek sufficient private sector funding to develop, maintain, and market a virtual network to provide seamless access to statewide resources and expertise for entrepreneurs and existing businesses using private sector funding. Private sector funding shall be for general support of the virtual network and shall not be used to sponsor specific portions of the network. The network shall disclose the value of the donations and names of private sector organizations providing funding for the network. The network shall provide resources for small businesses regarding requirements for starting a business. The network shall connect Missouri entrepreneurs to available state and nonstate supported services and technical assistance. In developing and maintaining the network, the centers shall ensure that all listed resources meet established standards. The goal of the network is to assist in the creation of new Missouri ventures, the growth of existing businesses, and the ability of Missouri entrepreneurs to compete globally. To the greatest extent possible, the network shall be built on and linked to existing resources designed to make business assistance resources more accessible to Missouri businesses.

2. The network must have specific sections containing information for anyone considering starting a business, information for anyone that has decided to start a Missouri business, information about expanding a Missouri business, information about moving a business to Missouri from another state, and information about moving a business to Missouri from another country, with links to each section prominently displayed on the website home page. Missouri small business and technology development centers must apply search engine optimization to the website's content to achieve top search engine rankings.

3. Any portion of the network that involves state information systems or state websites is subject to the authority of the centers, including, but not limited to:

(1) Evaluation and approval;

(2) Review to ensure compliance with security policies, guidelines, and standards; and

(3) Assurance of compliance with accessibility standards.

4. By September 30, 2012, the centers shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over economic development and state government finances on the centers' plans and progress toward the development of the network under this section. Included in the report shall be detailed information on donations received and expenditures by the Missouri small business and technology development centers on the MERVN.

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(L. 2012 S.B. 563)