The Department of Commerce (Commerce) is responsible for promoting community and economic development within the state by assisting the state's communities to increase the quality of life of their citizens and their economic vitality, and by assisting the state's businesses to maintain and increase their economic competitiveness, while maintaining a healthy environment. Commerce's community and economic development responsibilities include:
By December 1, 2024, and every 10 years thereafter, Commerce is required to lead and facilitate the development of a regional economic development vision and action plan for each region of the state that includes a county that is eligible to be categorized as a distressed area due to its unemployment rate. There must be at least five regional vision and action plans completed, with the boundaries of the regions to be determined at the discretion of Commerce after outreach to affected communities.
The purpose of each regional economic development vision and action plan is to assist with synchronizing local government policies and actions, and to guide and inform state funding and policies connected to the economic development objectives. The action plans do not have the force of law and may not compel any local or state action. In developing the vision and action plans, Commerce must coordinate with local associate development organizations, local government officials, the private sector business community, nonprofit organizations, and local labor organizations. Commerce shall survey the local community with respect to their goals for the future of the local economy. Commerce must request the cooperation of other state agencies for research and analysis that may be required to complete the vision and action plans.
(In support) Data going back to 2005 on distressed counties in the state show that things have mostly stayed the same. In 2005 there were 16 distressed counties and today there are 15. From 2005 to 2021, some counties have been added to the list of distressed counties while others have dropped off, but eight counties have never dropped off and have remained distressed counties. These counties are geographically located in all regions of the state. A plan is needed to address this problem. This bill empowers Commerce to draw regional borders to account for the different needs of different regions and coordinate with local governments, businesses, and labor to come up with a vision and plan to bring more economic vitality to traditionally distressed areas of the state.
(Opposed) None.
(Other) The goals and intent of this bill are consistent with the work of the Commerce that focuses on regional economic development strategies and supports economic growth and prosperity in the distressed areas of the state. It is important to create regional plans and convene local leaders to find areas of agreement and collectively execute plans regarding entrepreneurship and job growth. There have been recent global economic shifts from international trade disputes, a global pandemic, and supply chain issues. There have also been historic investments in economic development from the federal government in recently enacted legislation. The time is right for local jurisdictions to engage in planning efforts to secure these federal funds. There is value in the regional planning efforts that are addressed in this bill; the efforts will help pursue local goals and federal investments.