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<section article="gec" article_name="Economic Development" number="12-1204" title_number="12" title_name="Local Development Authorities and Resources" subtitle_number="12">
  <level label="a">
    <text>The General Assembly finds that:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>there exists within various neighborhoods in Prince George’s County, particularly the Suitland Road and Silver Hill Road corridor, a need for residential and commercial development or redevelopment in furtherance of the public’s interest;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>the Suitland Road and Silver Hill Road corridor has experienced low housing and economic development in the community for decades;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>areas in the Suitland Road and Silver Hill Road corridor include both areas that are considered slum or blighted and areas that are deteriorated or subject to further deteriorating condition, and those areas are in need of development or redevelopment for the public benefit;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>the revitalization of areas within the Suitland Road and Silver Hill Road corridor needing commercial development or redevelopment is an essential governmental function and is a public use that will confer a public benefit on citizens of Prince George’s County by:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>relieving conditions of unemployment;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>encouraging the increase of commerce and a balanced economy;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>assisting in the retention of businesses and residents;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>attracting new industries and commerce;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>promoting economic development and growth; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>generally promoting the health, welfare, and public safety of residents in Prince George’s County and increasing property tax revenues for the State and Prince George’s County;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>the establishment of this public Authority to provide financial resources for the development and establishment of residences and businesses through community organizations in the target area will significantly improve Prince George’s County neighborhoods and increase property tax revenues for the State and Prince George’s County; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>the Authority is the economic development authority for the State to benefit the neighborhoods of Prince George’s County within the target area.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The legislative purposes of the Authority are to:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>revive the various communities along the Suitland Road and Silver Hill Road corridor in Prince George’s County;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>promote economic development;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>encourage the increase of business activity, commerce, and a balanced economy in Prince George’s County;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>help to retain and attract business activity and commerce in Prince George’s County; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>promote the health, public safety, right of gainful employment, and welfare of residents of Prince George’s County.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The General Assembly intends that:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>the Authority operate and exercise its corporate powers along the Suitland Road and Silver Hill Road corridor in Prince George’s County;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>without limiting its authority to otherwise exercise its powers, the Authority exercises its powers to assist private real estate entities and nonprofit community development corporations to develop and rehabilitate housing and commercial units in Prince George’s County and support local economic development agencies to contribute to the expansion, modernization, and retention of existing enterprises in Prince George’s County as well as the attraction of new businesses to Prince George’s County; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>the Authority should not own and operate a project unless:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>the Board determines by resolution that the private sector has not demonstrated serious and significant interest and development capacity to own and operate the project; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>a representative of a governmental unit requests in writing that the Authority own and operate the project.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
