{"data":{"id":"us-wa/rcw-43.31c.005","jurisdiction":"us-wa","citation":"RCW 43.31C.005","heading":"Findings—Declaration.","body":"(1) The legislature finds that:\n(a) There are geographic areas within communities that are characterized by a lack of employment opportunities, an average income level that is below the median income level for the surrounding community, a lack of affordable housing, deteriorating infrastructure, and a lack of facilities for community services, job training, and education;\n(b) Strategies to encourage reinvestment in these areas by assisting local businesses to become stronger and area residents to gain economic power involve a variety of activities and partnerships;\n(c) Reinvestment in these areas cannot be accomplished with only governmental resources and require a comprehensive approach that integrates various incentives, programs, and initiatives to meet the economic, physical, and social needs of the area;\n(d) Successful reinvestment depends on a local government's ability to coordinate public resources in a cohesive, comprehensive strategy that is designed to leverage long-term private investment in an area;\n(e) Reinvestment can strengthen the overall tax base through increased tax revenue from expanded and new business activities and physical property improvement;\n(f) Local governments, in cooperation with area residents, can provide leadership as well as planning and coordination of resources and necessary supportive services to address reinvestment in the area; and\n(g) It is in the public interest to adopt a targeted approach to revitalization and enlist the resources of all levels of government, the private sector, community-based organizations, and community residents to revitalize an area.\n(2) The legislature declares that the purposes of the community empowerment zone act are to:\n(a) Encourage reinvestment through strong partnerships and cooperation between all levels of government, community-based organizations, area residents, and the private sector;\n(b) Involve the private sector and stimulate private reinvestment through the judicious use of public resources;\n(c) Target governmental resources to those areas of greatest need; and\n(d) Include all levels of government, community individuals, organizations, and the private sector in the policy-making process.","path":["Title 43","Chapter 43.31C"],"source_url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=43.31C.005","current_through":"July 15, 2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T02:49:20Z","sha256":"c081149590afedd7f6f4ad9a95b21c1deb7335e9883680769f8f921c8a822a9a","source_id":"us-wa","stale":false,"prev":"us-wa/rcw-43.310.040","next":"us-wa/rcw-43.31c.010"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}