(a) Subject to available funds, the department shall establish a grant program under which the department awards grants to public institutions of higher education, public high schools, and governmental entities located in a rural county for the development and operation of multi-institutional technology centers that provide:
(1) community access to technology;
(2) computer literacy programs;
(3) educational programs designed to provide concurrent enrollment credit for high school students taking postsecondary courses in information and emerging technologies;
(4) training for careers in technology-related fields and other highly skilled industries; and
(5) technology-related continuing and adult education programs.
(b) The department by rule shall establish:
(1) eligibility criteria for grant applicants;
(2) grant application procedures;
(3) guidelines relating to grant amounts;
(4) procedures for evaluating grant applications; and
(5) procedures for monitoring the use of grants awarded under the program and for ensuring compliance with the conditions of a grant.