42 U.S.C. § 3121 : US Code - Section 3121: Findings and declarations

Search 42 U.S.C. § 3121 : US Code - Section 3121: Findings and declarations

(a) Findings
Congress finds that -
(1) there continue to be areas of the United States
experiencing chronic high unemployment, underemployment,
outmigration, and low per capita incomes, as well as areas facing
sudden and severe economic dislocations because of structural
economic changes, changing trade patterns, certain Federal
actions (including environmental requirements that result in the
removal of economic activities from a locality), and natural
disasters;
(2) economic growth in the States, cities, and rural areas of
the United States is produced by expanding economic
opportunities, expanding free enterprise through trade,
developing and strengthening public infrastructure, and creating
a climate for job creation and business development;
(3) the goal of Federal economic development programs is to
raise the standard of living for all citizens and increase the
wealth and overall rate of growth of the economy by encouraging
communities to develop a more competitive and diversified
economic base by -
(A) creating an environment that promotes economic activity
by improving and expanding public infrastructure;
(B) promoting job creation through increased innovation,
productivity, and entrepreneurship; and
(C) empowering local and regional communities experiencing
chronic high unemployment and low per capita income to develop
private sector business and attract increased private sector
capital investment;
(4) while economic development is an inherently local process,
the Federal Government should work in partnership with public and
private State, regional, tribal, and local organizations to
maximize the impact of existing resources and enable regions,
communities, and citizens to participate more fully in the
American dream and national prosperity;
(5) in order to avoid duplication of effort and achieve
meaningful, long-lasting results, Federal, State, tribal, and
local economic development activities should have a clear focus,
improved coordination, a comprehensive approach, and simplified
and consistent requirements; and
(6) Federal economic development efforts will be more effective
if the efforts are coordinated with, and build upon, the trade,
workforce investment, transportation, and technology programs of
the United States.
(b) Declarations
In order to promote a strong and growing economy throughout the
United States, Congress declares that -
(1) assistance under this chapter should be made available to
both rural- and urban-distressed communities;
(2) local communities should work in partnership with
neighboring communities, the States, Indian tribes, and the
Federal Government to increase the capacity of the local
communities to develop and implement comprehensive economic
development strategies to alleviate economic distress and enhance
competitiveness in the global economy;
(3) whether suffering from long-term distress or a sudden
dislocation, distressed communities should be encouraged to
support entrepreneurship to take advantage of the development
opportunities afforded by technological innovation and expanding
newly opened global markets; and
(4) assistance under this chapter should be made available to
promote the productive reuse of abandoned industrial facilities
and the redevelopment of brownfields.