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.