§ 33:9021 — Findings, declarations of necessity, and purpose

§9021. Findings, declarations of necessity, and purpose
It is hereby found and declared that:
(1) There exists in some of the regions, parishes, and municipalities of the state a
condition of substantial and persistent unemployment, underemployment, and other forms
of economic distress.
(2) Such unemployment, underemployment, and other forms of economic distress
cause hardships to many individual citizens of the state and their families, waste invaluable
human resources, and adversely affects the welfare and prosperity of the people.
(3) The maintenance of the economy of the several local governmental subdivisions
of the state at a high level is necessary to overcome these problems and is vital to the best
interest of the state.
(4) The maintenance of the economy of the several local governmental subdivisions
of the state at a high level is a matter of public policy and the cooperative economic
development activities and powers prescribed and conferred by this Chapter are for a public
purpose for which public money may be expended.
(5) As the maintenance of the economies of said local political subdivisions at a high
level is found and declared to be a public purpose, the state's assistance to areas and regions
of substantial and persistent unemployment, underemployment, and other forms of economic
distress is necessary for the employment of effective steps in the planning, promotion, and
financing of local economic development.
(6) State authorization to local governmental subdivisions, public corporations, and
public benefit corporations to engage in cooperative endeavors with each other, the United
States or its agencies, or with any public or private associations, corporations, or individuals
for the purpose of economic development would help said local governmental subdivisions
to alleviate the conditions of unemployment, underemployment, and other forms of economic
distress presently existing in their areas, and as such, is in the public interest.
(7) Economic development is a legitimate concern of government because it serves
the public interest, but it is not purely and solely a public purpose, since successful economic
development serves the private interests of business and industry as much as the public
interest.
(8) Public-private partnerships which take advantage of the special expertise and
experience of representatives of the private sector can be among the most effective programs
to encourage and maintain economic development.
(9) The economic development needs of the state of Louisiana require the existence
of entities which can function as public-private partnerships, taking advantage of the
congruence between the public interest and the interest of business and industry.
(10) It is in the best interest of the state of Louisiana and of its regions, parishes, and
municipalities to encourage, create, and support public-private partnerships and to permit and
encourage participation by representatives of private-sector industries which may benefit
from economic development programs, while providing appropriate protections for the
public interest.
NOTE: See Acts 2020, No. 240, §2, regarding effectiveness.

Legislative History

Added by Acts 1978, No. 617, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1179, §1, eff. July 14, 1997; Acts 2020, No. 240, §1, see Act.