MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Economic Dev, Tourism and Parks; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Bryan, Harden

AN ACT TO CREATE THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT LIVABLE COMMUNITIES INVESTMENT PROGRAM TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT; TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO COUNTIES, MUNICIPALITIES AND OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF THE STATE UNDER SUCH PROGRAM TO FUND OR ASSIST IN FUNDING CERTAIN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS THAT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN SUCH COMMUNITIES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MATCHING FUNDS BE PROVIDED IN ORDER FOR A GRANT TO BE ISSUED; TO CREATE A SPECIAL FUND FROM WHICH GRANTS PURSUANT TO THIS PROGRAM SHALL BE MADE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) There is established the Local Governments Livable Communities Investment Program to be administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development for the purpose of making grants to counties, municipalities and other political subdivisions of the state to fund or assist in funding infrastructure investments that improve the quality of life and support economic development in such communities.

(2) For purposes of this act, "infrastructure investments" include any of the following:

(a) Renovation and repair of public parks and recreational facilities;

(b) Construction of new parks and recreational facilities;

(c) Renovation of public school buildings to support expanded community use while restricting access to classrooms and administrative offices; and

(d) Construction, purchase, renovation or repair of any building to be utilized as a community family resource center.

SECTION 2. (1) A county or an incorporated municipality may apply to the Department of Economic and Community Development for a grant under the Local Governments Livable Communities Investment Program.

(2) The Department of Economic and Community Development shall establish the grant program authorized pursuant to this act and grants may be made under this program in amounts not to exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of eligible project costs as established by the Department of Economic and Community Development. The Department of Economic and Community Development shall establish a formula for the distribution of available grant money under this program that takes into account the per capita income of the county or incorporated municipality and is weighted to target counties and municipalities where the per capita income is below the state average.

(3) The grants authorized under this program shall be issued only if the private sector or local or federal government provides matching funds in the amount of twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount of the eligible project costs as established by the Department of Economic and Community Development. The matching funds required pursuant to this subsection may be provided in the form of cash or in-kind contributions or any combination of cash or in-kind contributions.

(4) Each applicant for a grant shall document the need for the proposed project and the benefits to the community and local economic development efforts. Each applicant shall commit to a plan for the long-range maintenance of the facility funded by grants from this program that is considered satisfactory by the Department of Economic and Community Development.

(5) All grants shall be funded from the Local Governments Livable Communities Investment Fund created in Section 3 of this act.

SECTION 3. There is created a special fund in the State Treasury to be designated the "Local Governments Livable Communities Investment Fund," which shall consist of such money as may be appropriated by the Legislature. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Money in the fund shall be used or expended by the Department of Economic and Community Development for the purposes authorized in this act. SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.