New Jersey § 52:27h-21

§ 52:27h-21.

The Legislature finds and declares that: a. The economy of our State is vitally dependent upon the health and stability of

the small and independent businesses in the State. The Legislature finds further that the future welfare of the State depends on the

continued existence and development of these same small and independent businesses. It is, therefore, the declared policy of the Legislature to assist, counsel, aid

and protect small and independent business development in the furtherance of the general

welfare. b. Historically, businesses owned by minority group members and women have been small

establishments offering products and services, and their participation in the nation's

business community has been disproportionate to their numbers in society as a whole. c. The opportunity for full participation in our free enterprise system by minority

group members and women is essential if social and economic justice for them is to

be attained, and the functioning of our economy improved. d. The role of government at the national and State levels in encouraging the development

of small businesses, as well as businesses owned by minority group members and women,

has been recognized and is developing at a rapid pace with technical and financial

assistance, contract procurement, contract set-asides and other programs designed

to encourage development. e. In addition to the national and State governments' role in providing assistance,

local levels of government have a unique opportunity and responsibility in encouraging

the development of such businesses within their jurisdictions, and for coordinating

local assistance with assistance and certification procedures provided at the national

and State levels of government. f. The Legislature, therefore, declares that in order to aid local units of government

in establishing pilot projects to provide development and coordination assistance

to small, minority and women-owned businesses within their jurisdictions, the Commissioner

of the Department of Commerce and Economic Development shall be authorized to make

grants of financial assistance to county and municipal units of government; that

the making of those grants to county and municipal governments shall be regarded as

a complement to the State's program to directly assist small, minority and women's

businesses; that the authority and powers conferred hereunder and the expenditure

of public moneys as provided herein are in service of a valid public purpose; and

that the enactment of the provisions hereinafter set forth is in the public interest

and for the public benefit and good and is so declared as a matter of express legislative

determination.