(1) The legislature finds that it is the public policy of
the state of Washington to direct financial resources toward the
fostering of economic development through the stimulation of
investment and job opportunities and the retention of sustainable
existing employment for the general welfare of the inhabitants of
the state. Reducing unemployment and reducing the time citizens
remain jobless is important for the economic welfare of the
state. A valuable means of fostering economic development is the
construction of public facilities which contribute to the
stability and growth of the state's economic base. Strengthening
the economic base through issuance of industrial development
bonds, whether single or umbrella, further serves to reduce
unemployment. Consolidating issues of industrial development
bonds when feasible to reduce costs additionally advances the
state's purpose to improve economic vitality. Expenditures made
for these purposes as authorized in this chapter are declared to
be in the public interest, and constitute a proper use of public
funds. A community economic revitalization board is needed which
shall aid the development of economic opportunities. The general
objectives of the board should include:
(a) Strengthening the economies of areas of the state which
have experienced or are expected to experience chronically high
unemployment rates or below average growth in their economies;
(b) Encouraging the diversification of the economies of the
state and regions within the state in order to provide greater
seasonal and cyclical stability of income and employment;
(c) Encouraging wider access to financial resources for both
large and small industrial development projects;
(d) Encouraging new economic development or expansions to
maximize employment;
(e) Encouraging the retention of viable existing firms and
employment; and
(f) Providing incentives for expansion of employment
opportunities for groups of state residents that have been less
successful relative to other groups in efforts to gain permanent
employment.
(2) The legislature also finds that the state's economic
development efforts can be enhanced by, in certain instances,
providing funds to improve state highways in the vicinity of new
industries considering locating in this state or existing
industries that are considering significant expansion.
(a) The legislature finds it desirable to provide a process
whereby the need for diverse public works improvements
necessitated by planned economic development can be addressed in
a timely fashion and with coordination among all responsible
governmental entities.
(b) ((It is the intent of the legislature to create an
economic development account within the motor vehicle fund from
which expenditures can be made by the department of
transportation for state highway improvements necessitated by
planned economic development. All such)) Transportation
improvements ((must first be)) on state highways that have been
approved by the ((state transportation commission and the))
community economic revitalization board must be approved by the
transportation commission in accordance with the procedures
established by RCW 43.160.074 and 47.01.280 to receive funding. ((It is further the intent of the legislature that such
improvements not jeopardize any other planned highway
construction projects. The improvements are intended to be of
limited size and cost, and to include such items as additional
turn lanes, signalization, illumination, and safety
improvements.))
(3) The legislature also finds that the state's economic
development efforts can be enhanced by providing funds to improve
markets for those recyclable materials representing a large
fraction of the waste stream. The legislature finds that public
facilities which result in private construction of processing or
remanufacturing facilities for recyclable materials are eligible
for consideration from the board.
(4) The legislature finds that sharing economic growth
statewide is important to the welfare of the state. Rural
natural resource impact areas do not share in the economic
vitality of the Puget Sound region. Infrastructure is one of
several ingredients that are critical for economic development. Rural natural resource impact areas generally lack the
infrastructure necessary to diversify and revitalize their
economies. It is, therefore, the intent of the legislature to
increase the availability of funds to help provide infrastructure
to rural natural resource impact areas.
[1999 c 94 § 5; 1996 c 51 § 1; 1991 c 314 § 21; 1989 c 431 § 61; 1987 c 422 § 1; 1984 c 257 § 1; 1982 1st ex.s. c 40 § 1.]
NOTES:
Legislative finding -- Effective dates -- 1999 c 94: See notes following RCW 43.84.092.
RCW 43.160.010
Legislative declaration (as amended by 1999
c 164).
(1) The legislature finds that it is the public policy
of the state of Washington to direct financial resources toward
the fostering of economic development through the stimulation of
investment and job opportunities and the retention of sustainable
existing employment for the general welfare of the inhabitants of
the state. Reducing unemployment and reducing the time citizens
remain jobless is important for the economic welfare of the
state. A valuable means of fostering economic development is the
construction of public facilities which contribute to the
stability and growth of the state's economic base. Strengthening
the economic base through issuance of industrial development
bonds, whether single or umbrella, further serves to reduce
unemployment. Consolidating issues of industrial development
bonds when feasible to reduce costs additionally advances the
state's purpose to improve economic vitality. Expenditures made
for these purposes as authorized in this chapter are declared to
be in the public interest, and constitute a proper use of public
funds. A community economic revitalization board is needed which
shall aid the development of economic opportunities. The general
objectives of the board should include:
(a) Strengthening the economies of areas of the state which
have experienced or are expected to experience chronically high
unemployment rates or below average growth in their economies;
(b) Encouraging the diversification of the economies of the
state and regions within the state in order to provide greater
seasonal and cyclical stability of income and employment;
(c) Encouraging wider access to financial resources for both
large and small industrial development projects;
(d) Encouraging new economic development or expansions to
maximize employment;
(e) Encouraging the retention of viable existing firms and
employment; and
(f) Providing incentives for expansion of employment
opportunities for groups of state residents that have been less
successful relative to other groups in efforts to gain permanent
employment.
(2) The legislature also finds that the state's economic
development efforts can be enhanced by, in certain instances,
providing funds to improve state highways ((in the vicinity of
new)), county roads, or city streets for industries considering
locating or expanding in this state ((or existing industries that
are considering significant expansion)).
(a) The legislature finds it desirable to provide a process
whereby the need for diverse public works improvements
necessitated by planned economic development can be addressed in
a timely fashion and with coordination among all responsible
governmental entities.
(b) ((It is the intent of the legislature to create an
economic development account within the motor vehicle fund from
which expenditures can be made by the department of
transportation for state highway improvements necessitated by
planned economic development.)) All ((such)) transportation
improvements on state highways must first be approved by the
state transportation commission and the community economic
revitalization board in accordance with the procedures
established by RCW 43.160.074 and 47.01.280. ((It is further the
intent of the legislature that such improvements not jeopardize
any other planned highway construction projects. The
improvements are intended to be of limited size and cost, and to
include such items as additional turn lanes, signalization,
illumination, and safety improvements.))
(3) The legislature also finds that the state's economic
development efforts can be enhanced by, in certain instances,
providing funds to assist development of telecommunications
infrastructure that supports business development, retention, and
expansion in rural natural resources impact areas and rural
counties of the state.
(4) The legislature also finds that the state's economic
development efforts can be enhanced by providing funds to improve
markets for those recyclable materials representing a large
fraction of the waste stream. The legislature finds that public
facilities which result in private construction of processing or
remanufacturing facilities for recyclable materials are eligible
for consideration from the board.
(((4))) (5) The legislature finds that sharing economic
growth statewide is important to the welfare of the state. Rural
counties and rural natural resources impact areas do not share in
the economic vitality of the Puget Sound region. The ability of
these communities to pursue business and job retention,
expansion, and development opportunities depends on their
capacity to ready necessary economic development project plans,
sites, permits, and infrastructure for private investments. Project-specific planning, predevelopment, and infrastructure
((is one of several)) are critical ingredients ((that are
critical)) for economic development. Rural counties and rural
natural resources impact areas generally lack ((the
infrastructure)) these necessary tools and resources to diversify
and revitalize their economies. It is, therefore, the intent of
the legislature to increase the ((availability of funds to help
provide infrastructure to rural natural resource impact areas))
amount of funding available through the community economic
revitalization board for rural counties and rural natural
resources impact areas, and to authorize flexibility for
available resources in these areas to help fund planning,
predevelopment, and construction costs of infrastructure and
facilities and sites that foster economic vitality and
diversification.
[1999 c 164 § 101; 1996 c 51 § 1; 1991 c 314 § 21; 1989 c 431 § 61; 1987 c 422 § 1; 1984 c 257 § 1; 1982 1st ex.s. c 40 § 1.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note: RCW 43.160.010 was amended twice during the 1999 legislative session, each without reference to the other. For rule of construction concerning sections amended more than once during the same legislative session, see RCW 1.12.025.
Findings -- Intent -- 1999 c 164: "The legislature finds that while Washington's economy is currently prospering, economic growth continues to be uneven, particularly as between metropolitan and rural areas. This has created in effect two Washingtons. One afflicted by inadequate infrastructure to support and attract investment, another suffering from congestion and soaring housing prices. In order to address these problems, the legislature intends to use resources strategically to build on our state's strengths while addressing threats to our prosperity." [1999 c 164 § 1.]
Part headings and subheadings not law -- 1999 c 164: "Part headings and subheadings used in this act are not any part of the law." [1999 c 164 § 801.]
Effective date -- 1999 c 164: "This act takes effect August 1, 1999." [1999 c 164 § 802.]
Severability -- 1999 c 164: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1999 c 164 § 804.]
Severability -- 1996 c 51: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1996 c 51 § 11.]
Effective dates -- 1996 c 51: "(1) Sections 1 through 9 and
11 of this act shall take effect July 1, 1996.
(2) Section 10 of this act shall take effect June 30, 1997."
[1996 c 51 § 12.]
Findings -- 1991 c 314: See note following RCW 43.160.020.
Severability -- Section captions not law -- 1989 c 431: See RCW 70.95.901 and 70.95.902.