HB 1040 - DIGEST

     Declares the primary goals of this act are to:  (1) Promote and retain the operation of businesses in rural distressed areas;

     (2) promote the expansion of existing businesses in rural distressed areas;

     (3) attract new businesses to rural distressed areas;

     (4) assist in the development of new businesses from within rural distressed areas;

     (5) provide family wage jobs to the citizens of rural distressed areas; and

     (6) promote the development of communities of excellence in rural distressed areas.

     Establishes within the department of community, trade, and economic development the office of business assistance and recruitment for rural distressed areas.

     Requires the joint legislative audit and review committee to design an evaluation mechanism for economically distressed counties under this act and undertake an evaluation of this act's effectiveness by November 1, 2003.  The agencies implementing the programs under this act shall assist the joint legislative audit and review committee evaluation.