(a)      The Department shall provide support to industry-led regional technology councils that provide assistance to private enterprises attempting to establish or expand manufacturing and technology-based businesses.

      (b)      The Department in its discretion, shall determine:

            (1)      Which entity will best serve as the regional technology council for a particular region;

            (2)      The geographic areas that constitute a region for purposes of this section; and

            (3)      The type of support the Department will provide to each regional technology council, which may take the form of grants, loans, in-kind assistance, advice, or other assistance the Department considers appropriate.