114 STAT. 2763A-592 PUBLIC LAW 106-554—APPENDIX G Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, after such review of supporting data as he deems appropriate, accepts such certification) that— "(A) the area is one of pervasive poverty, unemploy- ment, and general distress, "(B) the unemployment rate in the area, as determined by the most recent available data, was at least iy2 times the national unemployment rate for the period to which such data relate, "(C) the poverty rate for each population census tract within the nominated area is at least 20 percent, and "(D) in the case of an urban area, at least 70 percent of the households living in the area have incomes below 80 percent of the median income of households within the jurisdiction of the local government (determined in the same manner as under section 119(b)(2) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974). " (4) CONSIDERATION OF OTHER FACTORS.—The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in selecting any nominated area for designation as a renewal community under this section— "(A) shall take into account— "(i) the extent to which such area has a high incidence of crime, or "(ii) if such area has census tracts identified in the May 12, 1998, report of the General Accounting Office regarding the identification of economically distressed areas, and "(B) with respect to 1 of the areas to be designated under subsection (a)(2)(B), may, in lieu of any criteria described in paragraph (3), take into account the existence of outmigration from the area. " (d) REQUIRED STATE AND LOCAL COMMITMENTS. — "(1) IN GENERAL. —The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may designate any nominated area as a renewal community under subsection (a) only if— "(A) the local government and the State in which the area is located agree in writing that, during any period during which the area is a renewal community, such governments will follow a specified course of action which meets the requirements of paragraph (2) and is designed to reduce the various burdens borne by employers or employees in such area, and "(B) the economic growth promotion requirements of paragraph (3) are met. " (2) COURSE OF ACTION.— "(A) IN GENERAL.—^A course of action meets the requirements of this paragraph if such course of action is a written document, signed by a State (or local government) and neighborhood organizations, which evidences a partnership between such State or government and community-based organizations and which commits each signatory to specific and measurable goals, actions, and timetables. Such course of action shall include at least 4 of the following: "(i) A reduction of tax rates or fees applying within the renewal community.
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