(a) Each less developed county shall be entitled to receive from the state matching grants in an equal amount pursuant to this article for the implementation of all or part of its local plan of facilities development as approved by the board in the order of priority as established in its local plan, subject to the provisions of Code Section 50-8-222 and subject to the availability of funds appropriated by the General Assembly for such grants.

(b) The governing authority of the less developed county shall be responsible for receiving such funds, which it shall maintain separate from all other county funds, and shall be responsible for implementing the plan of development.

(c) The governing authority of the less developed county shall be authorized to perform all functions necessary to implement the local plan of facilities development including, without limitation, purchasing or leasing property and entering into such contracts as may be necessary for such purpose.

(d) The funds granted pursuant to this Code section may be used as received or in conjunction with funds from any other available source, and they may be used in conjunction with any leasing authority granted to the less developed county or in conjunction with any revolving loan fund, or both, and may be used as matching funds for any federal or state grant.