Sec. 17. (a) An economic development commission shall investigate, study, and survey the need for additional job opportunities, industrial diversification, water services, and pollution control facilities in the unit, and shall recommend action to improve or promote job opportunities, industrial diversification, water services, and availability of pollution control facilities in the unit.
(b) As part of an investigation under subsection (a), an economic development commission may participate in the financing of business appraisals and financial feasibility studies of the possible purchase of a business with operations in the commission's jurisdiction by the employees of that operation through an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). The employees must agree to repay the commission's contribution to the cost of the appraisals and studies if such a purchase is successful.