§2009aa–4 Local Development Districts; Certification and Administrative Expenses

Summary

Defines what counts as a local development district and sets rules for funding and duties. A local development district can be a planning district that existed on December 21, 2000 and was recognized by the Economic Development Administration. If there is no such district, an entity can qualify only if it has broad community participation, a policy board with a simple majority of elected officials or local government appointees, state certification to the Authority by the Governor or a designated state officer that its charter covers economic development of counties or parts of counties, and is one of a few types of nonprofit or public organizations (state-chartered nonprofit, nonprofit agency of government, a public multi-jurisdiction planning body created before December 21, 2000, or a mix of those). The Federal cochairperson must also certify that the district has not misused federal grant money or put in an officer who was an officer of another entity while that other entity misused federal grants. The Authority can give grants to pay administrative expenses. Each grant may cover up to 80 percent of those expenses. If the recipient is a State agency certified as a local development district, grants cannot be given for more than 3 years. The local district must provide its share in cash or in-kind (for example, space, equipment, or services). A local development district must act as the lead local organization for multicounty areas and link state and local governments, nonprofits, the business community, and citizens. It must help with planning across jurisdictions, give technical help to local areas and potential grantees, and provide leadership and civic development assistance.