40 U.S.C. § 15505

1. (a)Subject to the requirements of this section, a Commission may make grants to a local development district to assist in the payment of development planning and administrative expenses.
2. (b)
   1. (1)The amount of a grant awarded under this section may not exceed 80 percent of the administrative and planning expenses of the local development district receiving the grant.
   2. (2)In the case of a State agency certified as a local development district, a grant may not be awarded to the agency under this section for more than 3 fiscal years.
   3. (3)The contributions of a local development district for administrative expenses may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including space, equipment, and services.
3. (c)A local development district shall—
   1. (1)operate as a lead organization serving multicounty areas in the region at the local level;
   2. (2)assist the Commission in carrying out outreach activities for local governments, community development groups, the business community, and the public;
   3. (3)serve as a liaison between State and local governments, nonprofit organizations (including community-based groups and educational institutions), the business community, and citizens; and
   4. (4)assist the individuals and entities described in paragraph (3) in identifying, assessing, and facilitating projects and programs to promote the economic development of the region.