7 U.S.C. § 2009aa–4 — Local development districts; certification and administrative expenses

1. (a)Definition of local development districtIn this section, the term “local development district” means an entity that—
   1. (1)is—
      1. (A)a planning district in existence on December 21, 2000, that is recognized by the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce; or
      2. (B)where an entity described in subparagraph (A) does not exist—
         1. (i)organized and operated in a manner that ensures broad-based community participation and an effective opportunity for other nonprofit groups to contribute to the development and implementation of programs in the region;
         2. (ii)governed by a policy board with at least a simple majority of members consisting of elected officials or employees of a general purpose unit of local government who have been appointed to represent the government;
         3. (iii)certified to the Authority as having a charter or authority that includes the economic development of counties or parts of counties or other political subdivisions within the region—
            1. (I)by the Governor of each State in which the entity is located; or
            2. (II)by the State officer designated by the appropriate State law to make the certification; and
         4. (iv)
            1. (I)a nonprofit incorporated body organized or chartered under the law of the State in which the entity is located;
            2. (II)a nonprofit agency or instrumentality of a State or local government;
            3. (III)a public organization established before December 21, 2000, under State law for creation of multi-jurisdictional, area-wide planning organizations; or
            4. (IV)a nonprofit association or combination of bodies, agencies, and instrumentalities described in subclauses (I) through (III); and
   2. (2)has not, as certified by the Federal cochairperson—
      1. (A)inappropriately used Federal grant funds from any Federal source; or
      2. (B)appointed an officer who, during the period in which another entity inappropriately used Federal grant funds from any Federal source, was an officer of the other entity.
2. (b)Grants to local development districts
   1. (1)In generalThe Authority shall make grants for administrative expenses under this section.
   2. (2)Conditions for grants
      1. (A)Maximum amountThe amount of any grant awarded under paragraph (1) shall not exceed 80 percent of the administrative expenses of the local development district receiving the grant.
      2. (B)Maximum periodNo grant described in paragraph (1) shall be awarded to a State agency certified as a local development district for a period greater than 3 years.
      3. (C)Local shareThe 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)Duties of local development districtsA local development district shall—
   1. (1)operate as a lead organization serving multicounty areas in the region at the local level; and
   2. (2)serve as a liaison between State and local governments, nonprofit organizations (including community-based groups and educational institutions), the business community, and citizens that—
      1. (A)are involved in multijurisdictional planning;
      2. (B)provide technical assistance to local jurisdictions and potential grantees; and
      3. (C)provide leadership and civic development assistance.