H. B. 2417
(By Delegates Guthrie and Boggs)
[Introduced February 13, 2013; referred to the
Committee on Energy, Industry and Labor, Economic Development and
Small Business then Finance.]
A BILL to amend and reenact §5B-2-3 of the Code of West Virginia,
1931, as amended, relating to creating a catalyst to assist
communities with strategic and feasibility plans, marketing
analysis, environment impact statements and architectural and
engineering costs.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §5B-2-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended,
be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 2. WEST VIRGINIA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.
§5B-2-3. Powers and duties of council for community and economic
development.
(a) The council for community and economic development shall
enhance economic growth and development through the development of
a comprehensive economic development strategy for West Virginia. "Comprehensive economic development strategy" means a plan that
outlines strategies and activities designed to continue, diversify
or expand the economic base of the state as a whole; create jobs;
develop a highly skilled workforce; facilitate business access to
capital, including venture capital; advertise and market the
resources offered by the state with respect to the needs of
business and industry; facilitate cooperation among local, regional
and private economic development enterprises; improve
infrastructure on a state, regional and community level; improve
the business climate generally; and leverage funding from sources
other than the state, including federal and private sources.
(b) The council for community and economic development shall
create a fund with the specific purpose of providing funds to
assist communities with payments that are beyond its funding
levels, including, but not limited to, strategic and feasibility
plans, marketing analysis, environmental impact statements and
architectural and engineering cost. The West Virginia Development
Office shall establish a competitive bid process by promulgating
legislative rules in accordance with article three, chapter twenty-
nine-a of this code. The moneys expended from this fund shall be
paid back once other funds have been received by the community.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to create a fund within the
council for community and economic development to assist
communities with strategic and feasibility plans, marketing analysis, environment impact statements and architectural and
engineering costs.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from
the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would
be added.