In this subchapter:
The term "Authority" means the Delta Regional Authority established by section 2009aa–1 of this title.
The term "region" means the Lower Mississippi (as defined in section 4 of the Delta Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3121 note;
The term "Federal grant program" means a Federal grant program to provide assistance in-
(A) acquiring or developing land;
(B) constructing or equipping a highway, road, bridge, or facility; or
(C) carrying out other economic development activities.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State of Alabama shall be a full member of the Delta Regional Authority and shall be entitled to all rights and privileges that said membership affords to all other participating States in the Delta Regional Authority.
(
The Delta Development Act, referred to in par. (2), is S. 2836 of the 100th Congress, as introduced on Sept. 27, 1988, and incorporated by reference by, and made a part of,
2018-Par. (4).
2000-Par. (4).
"(a)
"(1) the lower Mississippi River region (referred to in this title [enacting this subchapter and amending provisions classified as a note under section 3121 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare] as the 'region'), though rich in natural and human resources, lags behind the rest of the United States in economic growth and prosperity;
"(2) the region suffers from a greater proportion of measurable poverty and unemployment than any other region of the United States;
"(3) the greatest hope for economic growth and revitalization in the region lies in the development of transportation infrastructure, creation of jobs, expansion of businesses, and development of entrepreneurial local economies;
"(4) the economic progress of the region requires an adequate transportation and physical infrastructure, a skilled and trained workforce, and greater opportunities for enterprise development and entrepreneurship;
"(5) a concerted and coordinated effort among Federal, State, and local agencies, the private sector, and nonprofit groups is needed if the region is to achieve its full potential for economic development;
"(6) economic development planning on a regional or multicounty basis offers the best prospect for achieving the maximum benefit from public and private investments; and
"(7) improving the economy of the region requires a special emphasis on areas of the region that are most economically distressed.
"(b)
"(1) to promote and encourage the economic development of the region-
"(A) to ensure that the communities and people in the region have the opportunity for economic development; and
"(B) to ensure that the economy of the region reaches economic parity with that of the rest of the United States;
"(2) to establish a formal framework for joint Federal-State collaboration in meeting and focusing national attention on the economic development needs of the region;
"(3) to assist the region in obtaining the transportation and basic infrastructure, skills training, and opportunities for economic development that are essential for strong local economies;
"(4) to foster coordination among all levels of government, the private sector, and nonprofit groups in crafting common regional strategies that will lead to broader economic growth;
"(5) to strengthen efforts that emphasize regional approaches to economic development and planning;
"(6) to encourage the participation of interested citizens, public officials, agencies, and others in developing and implementing local and regional plans for broad-based economic and community development; and
"(7) to focus special attention on areas of the region that suffer from the greatest economic distress."