a. That entrepreneurship is a vital component of the national heritage that fosters the health and dynamism of the overall economy;

b. That despite their contribution as major generators of employment, small businesses are struggling to survive in the private sector;

c. That due to a historical legacy of disregard and discrimination, minorities and women control a disproportionately small fraction of the productive resources of the State and are therefore largely excluded from the mainstream of the overall economy;

d. That the problems of inadequate capital and management expertise that pertain to businesses owned by minorities and women are the same problems that pertain, in varying degrees, to all small businesses;

e. That the public sector at both the national and State levels has recognized the appropriateness of the role of encouraging small businesses generally and women and minorities in particular;

f. That the continuing disparity of capital accumulation in the South Jersey region has hampered the survival of small entrepreneurs and the economic development and independence of minorities and women, and has limited opportunities for enterprise development by individuals from each of these populations;

g. That economic development within the small business and minority communities and among women increases the prosperity of the entire State by generating revenues and reducing the State burden of unemployment, welfare and other supportive social services;

h. That in order to promote these goals it is necessary to establish a permanent government entity, an authority, with a long-term mandate for the delivery of financial and overall assistance to small businesses and businesses owned by minorities and women;

i. That the authority shall focus efforts clearly on areas of greatest need and shall have a commitment toward the establishment of quality programs;

j. That the authority shall be responsible, both directly and as an intermediary, for providing financing and for coordinating a wide range of intensive and ongoing business expertise;

k. That the authority shall pursue its mandate in accordance with a well-conceived business strategy and underwriting standards that approximate those utilized by traditional lenders;

L. That the authority’s success in fulfilling its mandate shall be measured by the ultimate viability of the enterprises it assists.

L. 1985, c. 386, s. 1, eff. Dec. 18, 1985.