(a)
(1) The purpose of this subchapter is to encourage multi-county planning and development organizations which have been formed, or which may be formed in the future, as voluntary nonprofit associations to promote economic development, to assist local governments and private organizations in obtaining federal grants and loans, to prepare comprehensive regional plans for economic development and improved government services, to enlist private support for these activities, and to coordinate private and public programs in the multi-county districts.
(2) Recognizing the beneficial services to be provided the people of this state through the activities of such multi-county planning and development organizations established for the aforementioned purposes, and in order to encourage such organizations in their efforts to provide these beneficial services, the General Assembly establishes a program of providing financial assistance to the associations to enable them to continue and expand their activities in furtherance of the purposes of this subchapter.
(b) Nothing in this subchapter is intended to be inconsistent with or contrary to a policy of relying on the private enterprise system.