§ 215. Come home to New York program. 1. There is hereby established
in the department a "come home to New York" program to encourage the
return of native New Yorkers to the state by establishing a local
network of outlets designed to assist native New Yorkers in returning,
relocating or starting a small business in New York state.

2. The department shall:

(a) develop and enter into agreements with not-for-profit
organizations in geographic areas throughout New York state which will
serve as local coordinators for the program;

(b) develop a "come home to New York" website and promotional
materials that can be tailored to particular jurisdictions;

(c) encourage not-for-profit organizations in every part of the state
to participate in the come home to New York network;

(d) create a statewide public awareness campaign for the program;

(e) maintain a data base of investment-opportunities profiles
submitted by relocating entrepreneurs and investment-interest profiles
submitted by investors; and

(f) distribute investor and relocating entrepreneur applications in
paper form and through electronic resources.

3. The department, through its regional offices, shall work with local
coordinators to:

(a) originate a local name for the program and integrate it into the
template website and related promotional materials to highlight regional
quality of life, economic and cultural opportunities and include links
to related websites;

(b) recruit volunteers in various occupational areas to provide the
necessary networking opportunities that returning New Yorkers need, in
fields such as law, finance, microbusiness start-up, high technology,
construction, health care, manufacturing and retail operations;

(c) conduct outreach to local schools, colleges, universities and
other organizations to develop a manner of contacting former residents
who have left the state;

(d) develop a local public awareness campaign for the program;

(e) compile and report program statistics to the coordinator's office;

(f) serve as a screening mechanism through which introductions may be
made between returning or newly established businesses and potential
investors;

(g) aid prospective returning and newly established small businesses
in presenting their ventures to investors; and

(h) encourage the formation of a venture capital funding network at
the local level with the assistance of the department.