GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

S	1 

SENATE BILL 891*

Short Title:  WNC Revitalization/Planning Funds.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senators Metcalf; and Carter.

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Referred to:  Appropriations/Base Budget.

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April 13, 1999

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA THROUGH THE SMALL TOWN REVITALIZATION AND COUNTY PLANNING PROGRAM.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Commerce the sum of three hundred fifty thousand dollars ($350,000) for the 1999-2000 fiscal year to enhance economic development in Western North Carolina through the Small Town Revitalization and County Planning Program.  The Department shall establish and implement this program to encourage small municipalities and county governments to work locally with small business, industry, tourism, and other community organizations to develop collaborative programs focusing on strategies that will lead to the revitalization of downtown areas and efforts by counties to assess and plan for infrastructure and growth needs into and beyond the year 2000.
Section 2.  Not less than fifteen percent (15%) of the total funds for the program shall be used for small towns.
Section 3.  The Department shall develop procedures for the administration and distribution of funds allocated to the Small Town Revitalization and County Planning Program under the following guidelines:
(1)	Municipalities and counties must make application under procedures established by the Department.
(2)	Priority shall be given to small municipalities needing assistance with downtown revitalization efforts.
(3)	Priority shall be given to counties either with no organized planning effort or with only fledgling programs.
(4)	Priority shall be given to municipalities and counties that demonstrate a strong willingness to involve the business, industry, and tourism community in their proposed plan of work.
(5)	Priority shall be given to counties and municipalities that match funds.
(6)	Priority shall be given to counties and municipalities that demonstrate high need according to Department of Commerce statistics and data.
Section 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1999.