231.154 - Administration; grants for purpose of economic development; exceptions.

231.154  Administration; grants for purpose of economic development; exceptions.

      1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2 and 3, the Commission on Economic Development shall administer the Nevada Economic Development Fund and may make grants of money to a public agency or nonprofit private entity for the purpose of economic development in a rural area or blighted urban area.

      2.  If a nonprofit private entity applies for a grant for the purpose of economic development in a rural area or blighted urban area, the Commission on Economic Development shall consult with the board of county commissioners for the county in which the rural area or blighted urban area is located before making a grant to the nonprofit private entity.

      3.  The Commission on Economic Development shall not make a grant from the Nevada Economic Development Fund for the purpose of any economic development relating to the location of a federal nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.

      4.  As used in this section:

      (a) “Blighted urban area” means an area in a county whose population is 100,000 or more which is characterized by one or more of the following factors:

             (1) The existence of buildings and structures, used or intended to be used for residential, commercial, industrial or other purposes, or any combination thereof, which are unfit or unsafe for those purposes and are conducive to ill health, transmission of disease, infant mortality, juvenile delinquency or crime because of one or more of the following factors:

                   (I) Defective design and character of physical construction.

                   (II) Faulty arrangement of the interior and spacing of buildings.

                   (III) Overcrowding.

                   (IV) Inadequate provision for ventilation, light, sanitation, open spaces and recreational facilities.

                   (V) Age, obsolescence, deterioration, dilapidation, mixed character or shifting of uses.

             (2) An economic dislocation, deterioration or disuse, resulting from faulty planning.

             (3) The subdividing and sale of lots of irregular form and shape and inadequate size for proper usefulness and development.

             (4) The laying out of lots in disregard of the contours and other physical characteristics of the ground and surrounding conditions.

             (5) The existence of inadequate streets, open spaces and utilities.

             (6) The existence of lots or other areas which may be submerged.

             (7) Prevalence of depreciated values, impaired investments and social and economic maladjustment to such an extent that the capacity to pay taxes is reduced and tax receipts are inadequate for the cost of public services rendered.

             (8) A growing or total lack of proper utilization of some parts of the area, resulting in a stagnant and unproductive condition of land which is potentially useful and valuable for contributing to the public health, safety and welfare.

             (9) A loss of population and a reduction of proper use of some parts of the area, resulting in its further deterioration and added costs to the taxpayer for the creation of new public facilities and services elsewhere.

      (b) “Public agency” means:

             (1) This State or any agency of this State; or

             (2) Any local government of this State.

      (c) “Rural area” means an area in a county whose population is less than 100,000.

      (Added to NRS by 2005, 22nd Special Session, 111)