This chapter may be cited as the "Local Economic Development
Act Plan Ordinance" (hereinafter referred to as "this chapter").
This chapter is adopted as part of the County's economic
development plan. In accordance with the Local Economic Development
Act (the Act), the purpose of this chapter is to allow public support
of economic development efforts while continuing to protect against
the unauthorized use of public money and other public resources. This
chapter will also allow the County to enter into joint powers agreements
with other local governments to support regional economic development
projects.
Any qualifying entity, as defined in the Act, may propose an
economic development project to the County and apply for assistance
from the County. The applicant's proposal shall describe the
proposed project, including the names and addresses of persons with
an interest in the project, the number and types of jobs to be created,
wages and benefits associated with the jobs to be created, the type
and amount of assistance sought from the County, and all other information
requested by the County. The County intends to evaluate the applications,
the form and extent of assistance proposed to be provided, the security
to be provided to the County and other details of each proposed project
on a case-by-case basis. The County may accept or reject applications
in its sole discretion.
If the County approves an application for assistance, it will
do so by ordinance. In addition, the County and the recipient of assistance
will enter into a project participation agreement in accordance with
the Act. The County may require that all recipients of assistance
pursuant to the Act provide the County with periodic reports with
respect to the project for which assistance was received.
The County may enter into joint powers agreements with other
governments to develop a regional economic development plan as provided
by the Act.