The Department of Research and Development focuses on economic development in the following program areas:

• Agriculture and Food Systems: Promotes a diversified sector with a range of businesses that support local food self-sufficiency and competitive export markets. 
• Broadband: Supports equitable broadband development and provides digital literacy resources.
• Business and Industry Development: Promotes island grown businesses of all sectors by supporting industry and entrepreneurial capacity building efforts. 
• Community Well-Being: Seeks opportunities to advance a well-being economy that nurtures our relationship with ʻāina; addresses economic inequality; and supports individual and community health resilience.
• Creating a Community-Based Hilo Bay Resilience and Watershed Management Plan: A project funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation that will create an action plan for improving HIlo Bay's water quality and protecting the valuable environmental services throughout  the watershed.
• Data and Information: Supports R&D's programs with research services. 
• Early Childhood Resources: Provides resources that will develop high-quality, affordable childcare services on Hawaiʻi Island.
• Film and Creative Industries: Focuses on the wealth of creativity on Hawaiʻi Island, and on showcasing the best of the Island to the world through film.
• Impact Grants: Supports local economic development initiatives through an annual grant program.
• Immigration Information Services: Provides immigration information and assistance to new residents of Hawaiʻi County. 
• Regenerative Tourism: Encourages initiatives that are compatible with historic and natural resources and are not intrusive in Island communities.
• Workforce Development: Manages the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Programs for Hawaiʻi County including facilitation of the Hawaiʻi County Workforce Development Board, the Local Area Plan, and the American Job Center One-Stop Shop for Workforce Services.