54-60-24. Rural development office

54-60-24. Rural development office 1. The commissioner shall administer the rural development office. The purpose of the office is to assist in the development of rural North Dakota communities. 2. The commissioner may contract with a third party for the provision of services for the rural development office. If the commissioner contracts with a third party under this subsection, all data and databases collected and created by the third party in performing services for the office are the property of the department and the third party. 3. The department may seek and accept any gift, grant, or donation of funds, property, services, or other assistance from public or private sources for the purpose of furthering the objectives of the rural development office.