The Office of Rural Development is charged and empowered to carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

(1) To serve as the clearing-house and point of contact in state government for information, data, resources, and assistance regarding rural development. The office shall either provide assistance or refer local governments, individuals, and others seeking help to the appropriate department or agency of the state or federal government or elsewhere where applicable;

(2) To conduct ongoing research and analyses of issues and policies affecting rural Georgia and provide advice and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on such issues and policies and to publish periodically information and data on the rural economy, including the preparation of the biennial rural economic development plan required in Part 2 of this article;

(3) To monitor and report on activities at the federal level affecting rural development to ensure a prompt and adequate state response to new or amended federal programs and initiatives;

(4) To serve as the Governor's principal adviser on rural development and to assist in coordinating the activities and services of state agencies in order to provide more effective services to rural Georgia;

(5) To supply coordination among state agencies, the University System of Georgia, and others on research and technical assistance related to rural development;

(6) To provide technical assistance to rural communities to facilitate the planning, design, and implementation of rural development initiatives; and

(7) To encourage the assistance of the private sector in effectuating rural development and revitalization.