Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-31-702: Legislative intent

(a) The general assembly finds and declares that the provision of care, rehabilitation and treatment for mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or alcohol or drug abuse or dependency is a public purpose.

(b) The general assembly further finds and declares that, to the extent that financing the construction of facilities used in connection with the provision of mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and alcohol and drug programs and services can be accomplished less expensively through the pooling together of needs and the use of less costly borrowing techniques, providers of such programs and services would be better able to construct these facilities and to provide essential programs and services for the benefit of the citizens of the state.

(c) It is accordingly in furtherance of the interests and welfare of all Tennesseans that the Tennessee local development authority be empowered to issue its revenue bonds and to make the proceeds available for loans to mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and alcohol and drug facilities for capital projects, at interest rates lower than would otherwise be obtainable from private industry.

(d) It is intended that the Tennessee local development authority be vested with all powers necessary to accomplish these purposes.