After considering any advice and recommendations of the Board, the Executive Director:

1. Shall direct and supervise the administrative and technical activities of the Office.

2. Shall develop and may periodically revise a State Plan for Economic Development, which:

(a) Must include a statement of:

(1) New industries which have the potential to be developed in this State;

(2) The strengths and weaknesses of this State for business incubation;

(3) The competitive advantages and weaknesses of this State;

(4) The manner in which this State can leverage its competitive advantages and address its competitive weaknesses;

(5) A strategy to encourage the creation and expansion of businesses in this State and the relocation of businesses to this State; and

(6) Potential partners for the implementation of the strategy, including, without limitation, the Federal Government, local governments, local and regional organizations for economic development, chambers of commerce, and private businesses, investors and nonprofit entities; and

(b) Must not include provisions for the granting of any abatement, partial abatement or exemption from taxes or any other incentive for economic development to a person who will locate or expand a business in this State that is subject to the tax imposed pursuant to NRS 362.130 or the gaming license fees imposed by the provisions of NRS 463.370.

3. Shall develop criteria for the designation of regional development authorities pursuant to subsection 4.

4. Shall designate as many regional development authorities for each region of this State as the Executive Director determines to be appropriate to implement the State Plan for Economic Development. In designating regional development authorities, the Executive Director must consult with local governmental entities affected by the designation. The Executive Director may, if he or she determines that such action would aid in the implementation of the State Plan for Economic Development, remove the designation of any regional development authority previously designated pursuant to this section and declare void any contract between the Office and that regional development authority.

5. Shall establish procedures for entering into contracts with regional development authorities to provide services to aid, promote and encourage the economic development of this State.

6. May apply for and accept any gift, donation, bequest, grant or other source of money to carry out the provisions of NRS 231.020 to 231.139, inclusive, and 231.1555 to 231.1597, inclusive.

7. May adopt such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of NRS 231.020 to 231.139, inclusive, and 231.1555 to 231.1597, inclusive.

8. In a manner consistent with the laws of this State, may reorganize the programs of economic development in this State to further the State Plan for Economic Development. If, in the opinion of the Executive Director, changes to the laws of this State are necessary to implement the economic development strategy for this State, the Executive Director must recommend the changes to the Governor and the Legislature.

(Added to NRS by 2011, 3433; A 2011, 3485; 2013, 400, 1145; 2015, 2481; 2015, 29th Special Session, 34)