(a) In furtherance of its purposes, the authority shall have the following powers:

(1) To have a seal and alter the same at its pleasure;

(2) To make and execute contracts, lease agreements, and all other instruments necessary or convenient to exercise the powers of the authority or to further the public purposes for which it was created;

(3) To apply for and to accept any gifts, bequests, or grants or loan guarantees or loans of funds or property or financial or other aid in any form from the federal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof or from the state or any agency or instrumentality thereof or from any other source for any or all of the purposes specified in this chapter and to comply, subject to the provisions of this chapter, with the terms and conditions thereof;

(4) To contract with state agencies or any local government for the use by the authority of any property, facilities, or services of the state or any such state agency or local government;

(5) To contract with state agencies, any local government, or any private entity for the provision of the services for which the authority was created; and

(6) To do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers conferred by this chapter.

(b) The director shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) To maintain such offices within the state as the director and institute may deem necessary;

(2) To appoint assistants, clerks, and other employees as the director may deem necessary and to fix their compensation;

(3) To cooperate with individuals and with state, local, and other agencies, both public and private, and to obtain upon request and utilize the services of all governmental departments and agencies;

(4) To accept gifts, bequests, grants, or other public or private payments on behalf of the state and to pay such moneys into the state treasury; and

(5) To oversee training and education in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter.