§ 3 - Economic development; long-term goals; review and assessment
§ 3. Economic development; long-term goals; review and assessment TITLE 10Conservation and DevelopmentPART IDevelopment of ResourcesCHAPTER 1. THE FUTURE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
§ 3. Economic development; long-term goals; review and assessment
(a) For purposes of the Vermont Statutes Annotated and state economic development programs and assistance, "economic development" means the process of generating economic wealth and vitality, security, and opportunity for all Vermonters.
(b) There are established the following four principal, interrelated goals for future economic development in Vermont:
(1) Vermont's businesses, educators, nongovernmental organizations, and government form a collaborative partnership that results in a highly skilled multigenerational workforce to support and enhance business vitality and individual prosperity.
(2) Vermont invests in its digital, physical, and human infrastructure as the foundation for all economic development.
(3) Vermont state government takes advantage of its small scale to create nimble, efficient, and effective policies and regulations that support business growth and the economic prosperity of all Vermonters.
(4) Vermont leverages its brand and scale to encourage a diverse economy that reflects and capitalizes on our rural character, entrepreneurial people, and reputation for environmental quality.
(c) The four principal goals shall be used to guide the design and implementation of each economic development program, policy, or initiative that is sponsored or financially supported by the state, its subdivisions, agencies, authorities, or private partners.
(d)(1) The commission on the future of economic development, or a working group thereof designated by the general assembly, shall work with the state economists and the joint fiscal office to adopt benchmarks for the four principal goals.
(2) The commission or workgroup thereof shall on or before January 15, 2010 report to the house committee on commerce and economic development, the senate committee on finance, and the senate committee on economic development, housing and general affairs concerning its review of the goals, benchmarks, and agency progress pursuant to this subsection.
(3) On or before January 15, 2010, the commission shall recommend to the senate committee on economic development, housing and general affairs, the senate committee on finance, the house committee on commerce and economic development, the house committee on ways and means, and the governor on whether it would promote the best interests of Vermont for the commission to continue its review of the goals and benchmarks, or if a successor to that responsibility should be designated. Notwithstanding any recommendation, the commission shall continue to perform the review unless and until a successor is designated by legislation approved by the legislature and the governor. (Added 2009, No. 54, § 4, eff. June 1, 2009.)