1. The division of workforce development within the department of economic development is hereby authorized to administer the Missouri youth service and conservation corps programs and adopt rules and regulations governing their operation and participation requirements.

2. The division shall cooperate with and may directly contract with all state agencies, local units of government and any of the governor’s advisory councils or commissions, or their successor agencies, and with private not-for-profit organizations in delivery of youth corps programs. For purposes of this section, the contracting process of the division with these entities need not be governed by the provisions of chapter 34.

3. Upon application to the division and subject to the availability of funds, the division is authorized to provide funding assistance through contracts with administrative entities, designated pursuant to the Workforce Investment Act and any subsequent amendments, and project sponsors. The application shall form the basis for the contract agreement and, at a minimum, shall include:

(1) A general project description, including the extent to which it satisfies community development or resource conservation objectives and whether or not such objectives are stated within any municipal, county, regional or state agency plan;

(2) The number of corps members to be assigned to each project, a description of the nature and duration of their employment or volunteer work, and a description of combinations or sequences of education or vocational training to be provided;

(3) The amount of total funds required to sustain the project, distinguishing between the amounts required for corps members’ wages and stipends, if any, and the amounts required for other purposes;

(4) A statement of the amount and purpose of funding assistance requested from the division and the manner and timing of its disbursement;

(5) A description of the interagency coordination, technical assistance and financial support which together with the funding assistance, the resources of the applicant and support from any other source, is sufficient to ensure the success of the project. The commitment of financial support from the project sponsor shall be equal to or greater than twenty-five percent of the amount of the total project cost.

4. An application shall only be submitted to the division after review by the private industry council operating within the service delivery area in which the project is to be located, regardless of the actual project sponsor. It shall include the signatures of the workforce investment board chairperson and the designated chief local elected official of the local workforce investment area.

5. The division shall ensure that all affected state agencies are made aware of the application and are provided the opportunity to offer comments related to the project feasibility, including the identification of other available funds for the project.