The University Research Center Act of 1988

Miss. Code Ann. tit. 37, ch. 141
in effect

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-1 Short title.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as “The University Research Center Act of 1988.”

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-3 University Research Center created; powers and duties of Commissioner of Higher Education.

There is hereby created the University Research Center, as an agency of the State of Mississippi, hereinafter referred to as the “center,” which shall have full authority to contract and to be contracted with. The Commissioner of Higher Education shall serve as the Director for the center. The center shall be under the direction and management of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall, in its discretion, obtain fidelity bonds and determine who and what should be covered thereby and the amount of such bonds. The Commissioner of Higher Education, with the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, shall appoint and employ such staff and employees as he deems necessary to carry out the objectives and purposes of this chapter and Section 57-63-17 and may establish the organizational structure of the center, which shall include the creation of any divisions necessary to implement the duties assigned to the center. It is specifically provided that the commissioner establish such units within the center as he deems necessary to include but not limited to areas of economic analysis, economic forecasting, long range economic development planning, research, grants, services and university and agency coordination and reporting. The Commissioner of Higher Education may consolidate the following functions of the central office of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the University Research Center: Administrative services; Libraries; Computer services. Consolidation of such services shall not affect the duty otherwise imposed by statute upon the University Research Center to assist state agencies with support services including, but not limited to, printing, data processing and libraries. The commissioner shall establish and maintain a branch library at the Department of Economic Development suitable for the economic development research needs of the department. The branch library shall be available for use by the public and by private development organizations. The Commissioner of Higher Education shall use savings realized through personnel attrition and other economies created by the reorganization effected in Senate Bill No. 2925, 1988 Regular Session [Laws, 1988, Chapter 518] to establish a special account in the University Research Center out of which funds may be expended to conduct priority research projects by contracting with universities, agencies and individuals.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-5 Main office building designated “Paul B. Johnson, Jr. Building”.

The main office building of the University Research Center and the Department of Economic Development in the City of Jackson shall be known and designated as the Paul B. Johnson, Jr. Building. The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the Governor’s Office of General Services shall coordinate and cooperate to effect the relocation of the Department of Economic Development to the Paul B. Johnson, Jr. Building and any other related agency relocations necessary to accomplish the requirement of this section if such relocation is feasible. If such relocation of the Department of Economic Development to the Paul B. Johnson, Jr. Building is not feasible because of space limitations, the Governor’s Office of General Services shall coordinate the relocation of such department to some other location and shall, if possible, secure the amount of space necessary to also place the University Research Center in the same location with the department. The Office of General Services shall provide proper signs to be placed on the building in accordance with this section.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-6 Authorization to charge state agencies and other entities occupying research and development center for certain services.

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall be authorized to charge state agencies and other entities that occupy portions of the Paul B. Johnson, Jr., Building, the Edsel E. Thrash Universities Center and the ETV Building for utilities, maintenance and security. Entities shall be charged at a rate of One Dollar and Fifty Cents ($1.50) per square foot for services provided by the board.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-7 Functions of center.

It is hereby declared to be the intent of the Legislature that the functions of the center shall include, but not be limited to, the following: Undertaking selected applied research projects with a permanent research staff, augmented by specialists from universities and colleges, government agencies and private firms, assisted by graduate students. Relating, when applicable, public service-related research and technical assistance activities at all state universities to the overall statewide economic development plan. Coordinating economic development related activities among all state universities. Providing a computer facility for use by all educational institutions and government agencies. Maintaining current information on research projects in the state; on scientific and research personnel; on research expenditures and sources of funds; on research programs of agencies and institutions outside the state which bear upon Mississippi development; publishing annually a catalogue of this information; and otherwise functioning as a research clearinghouse for the State of Mississippi. Developing a list of priority research projects that would have significant contribution to advancement of economic development efforts in the state. Coordinating with universities and other entities in the state to promote completion of the priority economic development related research projects with economic development potential and advising and assisting in the securing of needed research funding. Contracting with universities and other entities to effect needed priority economic development related research projects. Providing printing and data processing support to the Department of Economic Development. Identifying all federal funds that flow into Mississippi for any and all purposes, making comparisons with other states and preparing appropriate analyses to identify sources of federal funds where potential exists for attracting and obtaining larger amounts of federal funds for the state. Develop a system whereby economic development related research results can be disseminated to public and private entities for the purpose of enhancing economic development efforts, particularly at the local level. Assisting institutions, organizations and firms in identifying and obtaining research funds and other grants from public and private sources. Developing an econometric model of Mississippi designed to forecast various sectors of the Mississippi economy. Supporting and utilizing the Mississippi Automated Resource Information System (MARIS) to accomplish its objectives of gathering, maintaining and disseminating information and providing research assistance. Performing other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Commissioner of Higher Education. Carrying out the provisions of Sections 37-141-51 through 37-141-57.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-9 Financing; “University Research Center Fund”.

The center is authorized and empowered to solicit and accept financial support from sources other than the state, including private sources and foundations. All funds received shall be deposited upon receipt thereof into a special fund in the State Treasury to be known and designated as the “University Research Center Fund.” Expenditures from such special fund shall be made in the manner as provided in subsection (3) of Section 37-141-21. Any funds received and deposited from sources other than the state to the special fund may be utilized for research grants to the center or to other Mississippi institutions; for graduate research fellowships; for buildings and equipment; for library facilities; for permanent exhibits; for advanced studies by research personnel of the center or any of the institutions of higher learning; for honoraria for visiting lecturers; and for like purposes. From and after July 1, 1988, any monies remaining in the special fund in the State Treasury known as the Research and Development Center Fund shall be transferred into the University Research Center Fund created in subsection (1) of this section.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-11 Coordinated community and statewide planning; “planning fund”.

The Department of Economic Development is hereby authorized to cooperate with the planning commissions and development boards, or other similar agencies of other states, and with county, municipal and regional planning commissions or other agencies thereof, for the purposes of securing coordinated community and statewide planning within this state. The Department of Economic Development is further authorized to provide services to include, but not be limited to, planning assistance to cities and other political subdivisions within the state and county; joint municipal, county, regional and metropolitan commissions in the solution of their planning problems; and to contract for, receive and expend federal, state and other funds, whether private or public, for such planning activities, and to that end, there is hereby created within the Department of Economic Development a special fund designated as the “planning fund” to be kept separate and apart from all other funds received by the Department of Economic Development and into which all funds received for planning purposes shall be deposited. Planning assistance, as used in this chapter, shall include the preparation of population, land use, traffic, parking and economic base studies, the preparation of proposed subdivision regulations and zoning ordinances, and the development of plans to guide public and private development.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-13 Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning to administrate center; center to advise government; programs and projects.

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall have responsibility for the administration of the center. By so designating the board of trustees as administrator for the center, the Legislature hereby expresses its intent that the center shall have a relationship of close cooperation and coordination with the several universities but that the center shall not be under the control or influence of any single institution. With the approval of the board of trustees, academically eligible center staff may hold appointment to faculties of state universities and university faculty members may be assigned to the center. The Mississippi Department of Economic Development, being the economic development agency for the state, shall advise on the programs and projects of the center focused upon economic development. The center may advise the various agencies and departments of state government regarding internal research needs and programs and shall assist in the establishment of such programs where needed. These programs shall be coordinated by the center in order to minimize duplication of effort, to maximize utilization of data and equipment and to standardize procedures for the more efficient pursuit of research. Communities, counties, special-purpose districts, multicounty area development groupings and other such organizations may call upon the center for informational services. Specific research projects may be undertaken by the center for such organizations on a contract basis. The center may provide advice and counsel, consistent with its duties and responsibilities, to the private business community. Consultation and information may also be made available to other segments of the private business community. Advice and assistance for the establishment of research programs within business organizations may be provided by the center. Specific research projects may be undertaken by the center for private business on a contract basis. The center may solicit and accept grants and other financial aid or support from private sources.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-15 Branch operations.

With the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, the center may establish and staff branch operations at various universities within the state.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-17 Annual report.

The center, on behalf of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, shall prepare an annual report of economic development activities of those agencies and institutions subject to the Board of Trustees. The report shall describe: Economic development efforts and accomplishments of the University Research Center, each university, and each institute. Efforts and accomplishments of the center in coordinating economic development activities among the universities. Recommendations of the center for coordination and utilization of university resources in economic development, for university-based initiatives in economic development, and for funding related to economic development and plans of the universities. Assistance rendered to the Department of Economic Development by the center and each university. Activities and accomplishments of staff assigned to planning and development districts pursuant to Section 37-141-19. Any other information which the center wishes to present. The annual report shall be submitted to the Governor and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee not later than July 1 of each year.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-19 Appointees at each university responsible for economic development activities.

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall require that the president of each university under its jurisdiction designate, at the level of vice-president, a person responsible for economic development activities at the university. The person so designated shall be the primary contact at each university for the center in carrying out its responsibilities related to coordinating, assisting, monitoring and reporting on economic development activities at the universities.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-21 Powers and duties of director of center; expenditures.

The director of the center, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, shall fix the salaries and wages of employees of the center, shall reimburse employees for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, and may approve receipt by employees of additional income payments from grants, fellowships and other sources. The director of the center, upon approval of the board of trustees, may contract with universities and colleges, with individuals and with public or private research organizations for their services and, under the same approval, may contract for performance by the center of services to governmental subdivisions of the state, to United States government departments and agencies, to area development organizations, to trade associations and other similar groups of public or private nature, and to private business enterprises, and may set fees for such services. Upon approval of the board of trustees, the center may establish intern programs to provide experience that supplements the education of students enrolled in state institutions of higher learning. Expenditures by and for the center and its branches shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of the funds appropriated to carry out the provisions of this chapter, upon warrant issued by the State Fiscal Management Board; and such board shall issue its warrant upon requisition signed by the director of the center, in the manner provided by law. Full and complete accounting shall be kept and made by the center for all funds received and expended by it. Representatives of the office of the State Auditor annually shall audit the expenditures of funds received by the center from all sources, and the auditor shall make a complete and detailed report of such audit to the Legislature.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-23 Attorney General as legal counsel.

The Attorney General of the state shall be legal counsel to the University Research Center.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-51 Establishment; purpose.

There is hereby created the Regional Initiatives Program within the University Research Center as created by Section 37-141-1 et seq. The program shall provide financial assistance to counties through grants to substate economic development organizations or an aggregate of such organizations to carry out specific projects that will augment the objectives and strategies of the statewide economic development plan in accordance with the Statewide Planning Act of 1987. Counties may designate substate economic development organizations to include but not limited to economic development organizations such as local chambers of commerce, local economic development authorities, planning development districts, multicounty organizations funded by local governing authorities and the federal government or other organization deemed appropriate.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-53 Application for funding.

Applications for financial assistance shall be made to the University Research Center. Applicants may request up to seventy-five percent (75%) of the total projects cost. The applicant shall provide at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the total cost, twelve and one-half percent (12-1/2%) of which may be in in-kind funding.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-55 Criteria for funding.

No request for funds shall be granted unless the project will have a positive economic impact on at least an entire county. No funding provided by the University Research Center shall be used to fund operating costs.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-57 Promulgation of rules and regulations.

The University Research Center shall develop rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

Starting a business in Mississippi? Mississippi LLC guide: costs and requirements