California Main Street Program

09/07/05

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15399. Legislative findings and declarations.

The Legislature finds and declares the following:

(a) The continued economic vitality of business districts in our state's smaller cities and the neighborhoods of larger urban and suburban cities are essential to community preservation, social cohesion, and economic growth.

(b) In recent years these central business districts have experienced economic difficulties due to shifting population bases, changes in the marketplace, and greater competition from suburban shopping malls.

(c) This decline has further eroded the ability of small businesses and property owners to renovate and enhance their commercial and residential properties.

(d) Merchants in the smaller cities are also experiencing greater difficulties in obtaining financial aid at reasonable interest rates, thereby further inhibiting their ability to develop new business as well as continue existing operations.

(e) Neighborhood commercial areas in medium-sized and larger cities need to maintain their local economies in order to provide goods and services to adjacent residents, to provide employment opportunities, and to avoid disinvestment and economic dislocations.