§ 326. Findings, policies, and goals

(a) The General Assembly finds that Vermont's economic prosperity depends on the establishment and achievement of the following policies and goals:

(1) The dual goals of creating quality jobs and conserving and protecting Vermont's social and natural environments are of primary importance to economic vitality and the quality of life of Vermont.

(2) The idea of combining the dual goals of economic vitality and environmental quality is known as sustainable economic development.

(3) Sustainable economic development is a growing national and international public policy trend for the investment of private and governmental funds.

(4) Vermont's unique environmental image as a function of State policy and of the policies of our existing educational institutions provides an opportunity to position the State as a primary sustainable economic development educational center.

(5) The goal of quality job creation as part of the State's economic development policy is dependent on providing support for the start-up and expansion of small businesses and micro-business sectors of our economy.

(6) The goal of creating quality jobs or family-wage jobs is in part dependent upon nurturing businesses in growing sectors of the national and international economy, including companies involved with:

(A) environmental technologies;

(B) environmental equipment and services;

(C) energy efficiency;

(D) renewable energy;

(E) pollution abatement;

(F) specialty foods;

(G) water and wastewater systems;

(H) solid waste and recycling technologies;

(I) wood products and other natural resource based or "value added" industries;

(J) sustainable agriculture; and

(K) existing businesses, including larger manufacturing firms, striving to minimize their impact and waste through environmentally sound products and processes.

(7) The goal of creating quality jobs by nurturing the businesses listed in subdivision (6) of this subsection is consistent with the goal of protecting our natural and social environments, and with the goal of positioning the State as a primary sustainable economic development educational center.

(8) Support for sustainable economic development includes the need to provide:

(A) Increased financial resources to fund existing programs for the start-up and expansion of small businesses, including revolving loan programs, peer lending programs, technical assistance programs, and marketing programs.

(B) Capital access to those businesses too large or too small to obtain funds from existing programs.

(C) An organization designed to coordinate the leveraging of federal, State, local, and private resources and to stimulate the development of public-private partnerships.

(D) An increased array of economic development tools, including flexible manufacturing networks, sectoral development, and product development funds.

(E) Funding for eligible activities as recommended in the Vermont Economic Progress Council's 10-year plan.

(F) Professional evaluation and accountability of funded economic development activities.

(G) Coordination between the State's economic development and environmental protection policies.

(b) It is the purpose of this chapter to create the Sustainable Jobs Fund Program, to be administered by the nonprofit corporation formed under section 328 of this title, to further the policies and goals established in subsection (a) of this section. (Added 1995, No. 46, § 15, eff. April 20, 1995.)