§ 1051. Legislative findings and statement of policy. The legislature
hereby finds and declares that there exists in many portions of the
rural areas of the state substantial needs for revitalization and
improvement of housing and of local commercial and service facilities,
and for related community renewal activities. The findings set forth in
article seventeen of this chapter, with respect to the special needs and
problems of such areas and the significant potential role of locally
based not-for-profit organizations in helping to meet such needs, are
hereby reaffirmed. The legislature hereby determines that, in addition
to the program of state support to help meet the administrative expenses
of such organizations under article seventeen, a further public need
exists for state funding of a portion of the costs of specific
revitalization projects carried out by such groups and similar local
organizations. It is the purpose of this article to encourage community
preservation and improvement in the rural area of the state by
establishing a program of such funding.