Collapse to view only § 3121. Findings and declarations

§ 3121. Findings and declarations
(a) FindingsCongress finds that—
(1) there continue to be areas of the United States experiencing chronic high unemployment, underemployment, outmigration, and low per capita incomes, as well as areas facing sudden and severe economic dislocations because of structural economic changes, changing trade patterns, certain Federal actions (including environmental requirements that result in the removal of economic activities from a locality), and natural disasters;
(2) economic growth in the States, cities, and rural areas of the United States is produced by expanding economic opportunities, expanding free enterprise through trade, developing and strengthening public infrastructure, and creating a climate for job creation and business development;
(3) the goal of Federal economic development programs is to raise the standard of living for all citizens and increase the wealth and overall rate of growth of the economy by encouraging communities to develop a more competitive and diversified economic base by—
(A) creating an environment that promotes economic activity by improving and expanding public infrastructure;
(B) promoting job creation through increased innovation, productivity, and entrepreneurship; and
(C) empowering local and regional communities experiencing chronic high unemployment and low per capita income to develop private sector business and attract increased private sector capital investment;
(4) while economic development is an inherently local process, the Federal Government should work in partnership with public and private State, regional, tribal, and local organizations to maximize the impact of existing resources and enable regions, communities, and citizens to participate more fully in the American dream and national prosperity;
(5) in order to avoid duplication of effort and achieve meaningful, long-lasting results, Federal, State, tribal, and local economic development activities should have a clear focus, improved coordination, a comprehensive approach, and simplified and consistent requirements; and
(6) Federal economic development efforts will be more effective if the efforts are coordinated with, and build upon, the trade, workforce investment, transportation, and technology programs of the United States.
(b) DeclarationsIn order to promote a strong and growing economy throughout the United States, Congress declares that—
(1) assistance under this chapter should be made available to both rural- and urban-distressed communities;
(2) local communities should work in partnership with neighboring communities, the States, Indian tribes, and the Federal Government to increase the capacity of the local communities to develop and implement comprehensive economic development strategies to alleviate economic distress and enhance competitiveness in the global economy;
(3) whether suffering from long-term distress or a sudden dislocation, distressed communities should be encouraged to support entrepreneurship to take advantage of the development opportunities afforded by technological innovation and expanding newly opened global markets; and
(4) assistance under this chapter should be made available to promote the productive reuse of abandoned industrial facilities and the redevelopment of brownfields.
(Pub. L. 89–136, § 2, as added Pub. L. 105–393, title I, § 102(a), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3598; amended Pub. L. 108–373, title I, § 101, Oct. 27, 2004, 118 Stat. 1757.)
§ 3122. Definitions
In this chapter:
(1) Comprehensive economic development strategy

The term “comprehensive economic development strategy” means a comprehensive economic development strategy approved by the Secretary under section 3162 of this title.

(2) Department

The term “Department” means the Department of Commerce.

(3) Economic development district
(A) In general
The term “economic development district” means any area in the United States that—
(i) is composed of areas described in section 3161(a) of this title and, to the extent appropriate, neighboring counties or communities; and
(ii) has been designated by the Secretary as an economic development district under section 3171 of this title.
(B) Inclusion

The term “economic development district” includes any economic development district designated by the Secretary under section 3173 of this title (as in effect on the day before the effective date of the Economic Development Administration Reform Act of 1998).

(4) Eligible recipient
(A) In general
The term “eligible recipient” means—
(i) an economic development district;
(ii) an Indian tribe;
(iii) a State;
(iv) a city or other political subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions;
(v) an institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education; or
(vi) a public or private nonprofit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State.
(B) Training, research, and technical assistance grants

In the case of grants under section 3147 of this title, the term “eligible recipient” also includes private individuals and for-profit organizations.

(5) Federal agency

The term “Federal agency” means a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States.

(6) Grant

The term “grant” includes a cooperative agreement (within the meaning of chapter 63 of title 31).

(7) Indian tribe

The term “Indian tribe” means any Indian tribe, band, nation, pueblo, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or Regional Corporation (as defined in or established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.)), that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.

(8) Regional Commissions
The term “Regional Commissions” means—
(A) the Appalachian Regional Commission established under chapter 143 of title 40;
(B) the Delta Regional Authority established under subtitle F of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa et seq.);
(C) the Denali Commission established under the Denali Commission Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 3121 note; 112 Stat. 2681–637 et seq.); and
(D) the Northern Great Plains Regional Authority established under subtitle G of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb et seq.).
(9) Secretary

The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Commerce.

(10) State

The term “State” means a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

(11) United States

The term “United States” means all of the States.

(12) University center

The term “university center” means an institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education established as a University Center for Economic Development under section 3147(a)(2)(D) of this title.

(Pub. L. 89–136, § 3, as added Pub. L. 105–393, title I, § 102(a), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3599; amended Pub. L. 108–373, title I, § 102, Oct. 27, 2004, 118 Stat. 1758.)
§ 3123. Discrimination on basis of sex prohibited in federally assisted programs

No person in the United States shall, on the ground of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 [42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.].

(Pub. L. 92–65, title I, § 112, Aug. 5, 1971, 85 Stat. 168.)