The legislature finds that the long-term economic health of the state and its citizens depends upon the strength and vitality of its communities and businesses. It is the intent of this chapter to create a merged *department of community, trade, and economic development that fosters new partnerships for strong and sustainable communities. The consolidation of the department of trade and economic development and the department of community development into one department will: Streamline access to services by providing a simpler point of entry for state programs; provide focused and flexible responses to changing economic conditions; generate greater local capacity to respond to both economic growth and environmental challenges; and increase accountability to the public, the executive branch, and the legislature.

     A new department can bring together a focused effort to: Manage growth and achieve sustainable development; diversify the state's economy and export goods and services; provide greater access to economic opportunity; stimulate private sector investment and entrepreneurship; provide stable family-wage jobs and meet the diverse needs of families; provide affordable housing and housing services; construct public infrastructure; protect our cultural heritage; and promote the health and safety of the state's citizens.

     The legislature further finds that as a result of the rapid pace of global social and economic change, the state and local communities will require coordinated and creative responses by every segment of the community. The state can play a role in assisting such local efforts by reorganizing state assistance efforts to promote such partnerships. The department has a primary responsibility to provide financial and technical assistance to the communities of the state, to assist in improving the delivery of federal, state, and local programs, and to provide communities with opportunities for productive and coordinated development beneficial to the well-being of communities and their residents. It is the intent of the legislature in this consolidation to maximize the use of local expertise and resources in the delivery of community and economic development services.

[1993 c 280 § 1.]

NOTES:

     *Reviser's note: The "department of community, trade, and economic development" was renamed the "department of commerce" by 2009 c 565.