1. In determining which designated areas will be approved as specially benefited zones, the Governor shall give preference to:

(a) Areas with high levels of poverty, unemployment, loss of jobs and population, and general distress;

(b) Areas which have evidenced the widest support from the designating municipality, local residents and business, labor and neighborhood organizations;

(c) Areas for which a specific plan has been submitted to effect economic growth and expansion and neighborhood revitalization for the benefit of residents and existing businesses within the zone through efforts which may include but need not be limited to a reduction or elimination of license or franchise taxes, fees or service charges, an increase in the level and efficiency of local services, and a simplification of governmental requirements applicable to employers or employees, taking into account the resources available to the municipality to make those efforts;

(d) Areas for which there is evidence of prior consultation between the municipality and business, labor and neighborhood organizations within the proposed zone;

(e) Areas for which a specific plan has been submitted which will or may be expected to benefit residents and employees within the zone by increasing their opportunities for ownership of and participation in developments within the specially benefited zone; and

(f) Areas in which specific governmental functions are to be performed by designated neighborhood organizations in partnership with the municipality seeking certification of an area as a specially benefited zone.

2. The Governor’s determination of whether to approve a specially benefited zone must be based on the purposes of this chapter, the criteria set forth in NRS 274.150 and subsection 1 of this section and any additional criteria adopted by regulation of the Administrator.

(Added to NRS by 1983, 1974)