§11-54-81. Legislative intent; construction of division generally.

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature by the passage of this division to authorize the incorporation in the several municipalities in this state of industrial development boards to acquire, enlarge, improve, replace, own, lease, and dispose of properties to the end that such boards may be able to promote industry, develop trade, and further the use of the agricultural products and natural and human resources of this state and the development and preservation of the said resources, by inducing manufacturing, industrial, commercial, and research enterprises:

(1) To locate in this state,

(2) To enlarge, expand, and improve existing operations in this state, or

(3) To relocate in or within 25 miles of the same municipality in this state operations theretofore conducted at a site all or a major portion of which may have been acquired for one or more public purposes by the United States of America, the State of Alabama, or any branch, arm, agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision of either, whether by purchase, through the exercise of the power of eminent domain (whether or not a final decree of condemnation shall have been entered) or by other means. It is the further intent of the Legislature by the passage of this chapter to vest such industrial development boards with all powers that may be necessary to enable them to accomplish such purposes. It is not intended hereby that any such board shall itself be authorized to operate any such manufacturing, industrial, commercial, or research enterprise.

(b) This division shall be liberally construed in conformity with the said intention.

(Acts 1949, No. 648, p. 991, §2; Acts 1963, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 122, p. 310; Acts 1964, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 164, p. 229, §3; Acts 1965, No. 395, p. 572; Acts 1971, No. 48, p. 297, §2.)