(1) That economic and community development are essential to the health, safety and welfare of all the citizens of this Commonwealth.

(2) That the declining manufacturing sector of our economy has had profound consequences for the labor force of this Commonwealth with higher than average unemployment and greater displacement of workers and loss of business and industry.

(3) That, since their establishment in the 1960's by the Commonwealth pursuant to the Appalachian Regional Development Act, local development districts have been striving to address a variety of problems in their areas. Local development districts have advocated intergovernmental coordination and joint actions between the public and private sectors in an effort to find solutions to problems. These efforts resulted in the establishment of local development district projects addressing such aspects as transportation, health, housing, education, human resources, environmental and infrastructure needs. In the past decade, local development districts have concentrated on enterprise development activities focused on small and medium-sized manufacturers, capital formation efforts and the provision of technical assistance to business, local governments and other public and private agencies.

(1) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Commonwealth to promote the general welfare of its inhabitants through the Department of Commerce by certification of local development districts, which shall exist for the purpose of promoting economic development within their respective regions. Such purpose is hereby declared to be a public purpose for which public money may be spent.

(2) It shall be the policy of the Commonwealth for local development districts to continue in carrying out economic development programs, intergovernmental coordination and other activities as appropriate and necessary for their regions.

(3) It shall be the policy of the Commonwealth for local development districts to provide coordination to bring to bear human and financial resources to solve regional issues and problems. The districts shall provide expertise to secure Federal and State resources to improve regional economies. They shall continue to act as a partner with the Commonwealth in assisting its various departments in carrying out Commonwealth objectives and policies.

(4) It is also the policy of the Commonwealth not to duplicate or to mandate the delivery of technical and professional economic development services currently being provided by other economic development organizations throughout this Commonwealth.