§ 850. Legislative findings and objectives. The federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-220), establishes a flexible state framework for a national workforce preparation and employment system designed to meet the needs of the state's businesses, job seekers, incumbent workers and economic development priorities. The department shall be the state's lead workforce investment and development agency. The state strategic training alliance program has been established jointly within the department and the urban development corporation to leverage maximum federal workforce investment act resources to address businesses' demand for a skilled workforce to ensure the continued economic growth of the state and minimize duplication of services among partner agencies.