; (B) hire a person to direct the project not later than the end of the planning period applicable to the project; (C) accept all technical assistance offered by the Secretary with respect to the grant; (D) participate in peer technical assistance conferences as are regularly scheduled by the Secretary; and (E) provide all data required by the Secretary under subsection (g). (b) Preferences in considering applications In considering applications for a grant under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to— (1) applications submitted by applicants to whom a grant was made under this section or any predecessor to this section; (2) applications submitted by applicants who have business and community partners in each of the following categories: (A) State and local government agencies and social service providers, including a State or local entity that administers a State program funded under part A of this title; (B) institutions of higher education, apprenticeship programs, and local workforce development boards established under section 107 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; and (C) health care employers, health care industry or sector partnerships, labor unions, and labor-management partnerships; (3) applications that include opportunities for mentoring or peer support, and make career coaching available, as part of the case management plan; (4) applications which describe a project that will serve a rural area in which— (A) the community in which the individuals to be enrolled in the project reside is located; (B) the project will be conducted; or (C) an employer partnership that has committed to hiring individuals who successfully complete all activities under the project is located; (5) applications that include a commitment to providing project participants with a cash stipend or wage supplement