§ 481 — Definitions

§ 481. Definitions. When used in this article:\n 1. "Office" means the state office of rural affairs created by this\narticle.\n 2. "Director" means the chief administrative officer of the state\noffice of rural affairs.\n 3. "State agency" means any department, office, council, or agency of\nthe state, or any public benefit corporation or authority authorized by\nthe laws of the state.\n 4. "Federal agency" means any department, office, council, or agency\nof the federal government, or any public benefit corporation or\nauthority authorized by federal statute.\n 5. "Local agency" means any municipality, or office or department\nthereof or not-for-profit organization created for the purposes of\nenhancing the quality of life and revitalization of rural areas.\n 6. "Municipality" means any county, city, town, village, or school\ndistrict.\n 7. "Rural areas" means counties within the state having less than two\nhundred thousand population, and the municipalities, individuals,\ninstitutions, communities, programs and such other entities or resources\nas are found therein. In counties of two hundred thousand or greater\npopulation, "rural areas" means towns with population densities of one\nhundred fifty persons or less per square mile, and the villages,\nindividuals, institutions, communities, programs and such other entities\nor resources as are found therein.\n 8. "Rural development and revitalization" shall mean those policies,\nprograms, laws, regulations, or other matters having to do with rural\nareas including, but not limited to, human services and community life;\nhealth care; education; business, economic development, and employment;\nagriculture; environment, land use, and natural resources;\ntransportation; community facilities, housing; and local government\nservices and management.\n