The purposes of the community strategic planning assistance act are to:

(a) Build and enhance economic development capacity at the local and regional levels;

(b) develop and sustain long-term commitments for local development efforts;

(c) encourage broad-based local and multi-county development strategies that build on local strengths and to complement and reinforce statewide economic development strategy;

(d) improve the ability of local communities to effectively use economic data and analysis in the strategic planning process for economic development;

(e) maximize state investments in economic development through more efficient implementation of limited resources;

(f) provide recognition for successful communities and to motivate other communities; and

(g) encourage local initiatives to revitalize blighted areas in metropolitan counties.