(L05, Ch. 105, sec. 2)
A. In addition to any other powers granted to a city or town, the governing body of a city or town may appropriate and spend public monies for and in connection with economic development activities.
B. To fund economic development activities under this section, a city or town subject to the requirements of section 9-500.06 shall not impose a new fee or tax on a single specific industry or type of business.
C. Notwithstanding section 19-142, subsection B, a decision by the governing body involving an expenditure pursuant to this section may not be enacted as an emergency measure and that decision is not effective for at least thirty days after final approval of the expenditure.
D. For the purposes of this section:
1. "Economic development activities" means any project, assistance, undertaking, program or study, whether within or outside the boundaries of the city or town, including acquisition, improvement, leasing or conveyance of real or personal property or other activity, that the governing body of the city or town has found and determined will assist in the creation or retention of jobs or will otherwise improve or enhance the economic welfare of the inhabitants of the city or town.
2. "Expenditure" includes any waiver, exemption, deduction, credit, rebate, discount, deferral or other abatement or reduction of the normal municipal tax liability that otherwise applies to similar existing business entities and properties in that city or town, however denominated, computed or applied, and that is generally understood as an inducement to locate a business facility or other operation in the city or town.