40-58-02. Findings and declarations of necessity

40-58-02. Findings and declarations of necessity

1. It is hereby found and declared that there exist in municipalities of the state slum and

blighted areas which constitute a serious and growing menace, injurious to the public

health, safety, morals, and welfare of the residents of the state; that the existence of

these areas contributes substantially and increasingly to the spread of disease and

crime, constitutes an economic and social liability, substantially impairs or arrests the

sound growth of municipalities, retards the provision of housing accommodations,

aggravates traffic problems, and substantially impairs or arrests the elimination of

traffic hazards and the improvement of traffic facilities; and that the prevention and

elimination of slums and blight is a matter of state policy and state concern in order

that the state and its municipalities do not continue to be endangered by areas which

are focal centers of disease, promote juvenile delinquency, and, while contributing little

to the tax income of the state and its municipalities, consume an excessive proportion

of its revenues because of the extra services required for police, fire, accident,

hospitalization, and other forms of public protection, services, and facilities. It is further

found and declared that certain slum or blighted areas, or portions thereof, may

require acquisition, clearance, and disposition subject to use restrictions, as provided

in this chapter, since the prevailing condition of decay may make impracticable the

reclamation of the area by conservation or rehabilitation; that other areas or portions

thereof may, through the means provided in this chapter, be susceptible of

conservation or rehabilitation in such a manner that the conditions and evils described

in this section may be eliminated, remedied, or prevented; and that to the extent

feasible salvable slum and blighted areas should be conserved and rehabilitated

through voluntary action and the regulatory process.

2. It is further found and declared that there exist in municipalities of the state conditions

of unemployment, underemployment, and joblessness detrimental to the economic

growth of the state economy; that it is appropriate to implement economic

development programs both desirable and necessary to eliminate the causes of

unemployment, underemployment, and joblessness for the benefit of the state

economy; and that tax increment financing is an economic development program

designed to facilitate projects that create economic growth and development.