1994 US Code
Title 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 38 - PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Sec. 3121 - Congressional findings and statement of purpose

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§3121. Congressional findings and statement of purpose

The Congress declares that the maintenance of the national economy at a high level is vital to the best interests of the United States, but that some of our regions, counties, and communities are suffering substantial and persistent unemployment and underemployment; that such unemployment and underemployment cause hardship to many individuals and their families, and waste invaluable human resources; that to overcome this problem the Federal Government, in cooperation with the States, should help areas and regions of substantial and persistent unemployment and underemployment to take effective steps in planning and financing their public works and economic development; that Federal financial assistance, including grants for public works and development facilities to communities, industries, enterprises, and individuals in areas needing development should enable such areas to help themselves achieve lasting improvement and enhance the domestic prosperity by the establishment of stable and diversified local economies and improved local conditions, provided that such assistance is preceded by and consistent with sound, long-range economic planning; and that under the provisions of this chapter new employment opportunities should be created by developing and expanding new and existing public works and other facilities and resources rather than by merely transferring jobs from one area of the United States to another. Congress further declares that, in furtherance of maintaining the national economy at a high level, the assistance authorized by this chapter should be made available to both rural and urban areas; that such assistance be available for planning for economic development prior to the actual occurrences of economic distress in order to avoid such condition; and that such assistance be used for long-term economic rehabilitation in areas where long-term economic deterioration has occurred or is taking place.

(Pub. L. 89–136, §2, Aug. 26, 1965, 79 Stat. 552; Pub. L. 94–487, title I, §102, Oct. 12, 1976, 90 Stat. 2331.)

Amendments

1976—Pub. L. 94–487 inserted provisions which authorized assistance be made available to rural and urban areas for preventive economic planning and for long-term economic rehabilitation.

Short Title of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–487, §101, Oct. 12, 1976, 90 Stat. 2331, provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 3137, 3144, 3173, and 3246h of this title, amending this section and sections 3131, 3132, 3135, 3141, 3142, 3151a, 3152, 3153, 3161, 3171, 3172, 3188a, 3214, 3241, 3243, 3245, 3246a to 3246c, and 3246e to 3246g of this title, repealing section 3246d of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 3162 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Public Works and Economic Development Act Amendments of 1976’.”

Short Title of 1975 Amendments

Pub. L. 94–188, §1, Dec. 31, 1975, 89 Stat. 1079, provided: “That this Act [enacting sections 3194 to 3196 of this title and sections 225 and 303 of the Appendix to Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, amending sections 3181, 3182, 3188a and 3192 of this title, and sections 2, 101, 102, 105–107, 201, 202, 205, 207, 211, 214, 223, 224, 302, 401 and 405 of the Appendix to Title 40, repealing section 3134 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 3181 and 3183 of this title and sections 1, 2 and 201 of the Appendix of Title 40] may be cited as the ‘Regional Development Act of 1975’.”

Pub. L. 94–188, title II, §201, Dec. 31, 1975, 89 Stat. 1087, provided that: “This title [enacting sections 3194 to 3196 of this title, amending sections 3181, 3182, 3188a, and 3192 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as note under section 3183 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Regional Action Planning Commission Improvement Act of 1975’.”

Short Title of 1974 Amendment

Pub. L. 93–567, §1, Dec. 31, 1974, 88 Stat. 1845, provided: “That this Act [enacting sections 3246 to 3246g of this title and sections 961 to 966 of Title 29, Labor, amending section 1244 of Title 20, Education, and sections 841, 842, 844, 845, 849 to 851, 981, and 983 of Title 29, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 3304 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code, and 4102 of Title 38, Veterans’ Benefits] may be cited as the ‘Emergency Jobs and Unemployment Assistance Act of 1974’.”

Short Title of 1971 Amendment

Pub. L. 92–65, title I, §101, Aug. 5, 1971, 85 Stat. 166, provided that: “This title [enacting section 3123 of this title and amending this section, sections 3135, 3141, 3152, 3161, 3162, 3171, 3188a, and 3191 of this title, and provisions set out as a note under section 3162 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Public Works and Economic Development Act Amendments of 1971’.”

Short Title of 1969 Amendment

Pub. L. 91–123, title II, §201, Nov. 25, 1969, 83 Stat. 216, provided that: “This title [enacting sections 3190, 3191, and 3192 of this title and amending this section and sections 3185, 3186, and 3188a of this title] may be cited as the ‘Regional Action Planning Commission Amendments of 1969’.”

Short Title

Section 1 of Pub. L. 89–136 provided: “That this Act [enacting this chapter and amending section 2211 of former Title 5, Executive Departments and Government Officers and Employees] may be cited as the ‘Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965’.”

Lower Mississippi Delta Development Commission

Pub. L. 100–460, title II, Oct. 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 2246, incorporated by reference and made a part of that public law the provisions of H.R. 5378 and S. 2836, the Lower Mississippi Delta Development Act, as introduced in the House of Representatives on Sept. 26, 1988, and in the Senate on Sept. 27, 1988, known as the “Delta Development Act”, which provided for establishment of Lower Mississippi Delta Development Commission to study and make recommendations regarding economic needs and development of Lower Mississippi Delta region, set forth membership, compensation, powers, and administrative provisions for Commission, required submission to Congress, President, and Governors of certain States of interim and final reports, and provided for termination of Commission no later than two years after Oct. 1, 1988.

Pub. L. 101–161, title II, Nov. 21, 1989, 103 Stat. 969, extended date for submission of the Commission's interim report to Oct. 16, 1989.

Public Works Improvement

Pub. L. 98–501, title I, Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2320, known as the “Public Works Improvement Act of 1984”, established the National Council on Public Works Improvement, to prepare and submit to the President and Congress reports in 1986, 1987, and 1988 on the state of the Nation's infrastructure. Pursuant to section 109 of Pub. L. 98–501, the Council ceased to exist on Apr. 15, 1988.

White House Conference on Balanced National Growth and Economic Development

Title II of Pub. L. 94–487, as amended by Pub. L. 95–31, title II, §§201, 202, May 23, 1977, 91 Stat. 170, provided for calling of a White House Conference on Balanced National Growth and Economic Development within 18 months of Oct. 12, 1976, set forth powers, functions, membership, etc., of Conference, and required submission to President of a final report within 180 days after calling of Conference, with President to forward recommendations to Congress within 90 days after submission of report.

Executive Order No. 11386

Ex. Ord. No. 11386, Dec. 28, 1967, 33 F.R. 5, which related to coordination of activities of regional commissions and Federal Government relating to regional economic development and which established Federal Advisory Council on Regional Economic Development, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12553, Feb. 25, 1986, 51 F.R. 7237.

Executive Order No. 11422

Ex. Ord. No. 11422, Aug. 15, 1968, 33 F.R. 11739, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 12107, Dec. 28, 1978, 44 F.R. 1055, which related to Cooperative Area Manpower Planning System, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12553, Feb. 25, 1986, 51 F.R. 7237.

Executive Order No. 11493

Ex. Ord. No. 11493, Nov. 13, 1969, 34 F.R. 18289, which created Council for Rural Affairs to advise President with respect to further development of non-metropolitan areas of country, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12553, Feb. 25, 1986, 51 F.R. 7237. Council terminated and its functions transferred to Domestic Council by section 2(b) of Ex. Ord. No. 11541, July 1, 1970, 35 F.R. 10737, set out as a note under section 501 of Title 31, Money and Finance.