1. The Legislature finds that the tourist, resort and convention industry of Atlantic City has traditionally made an important contribution to the economic vitality of this State; that the recent revitalization of that industry as a result of the authorization of casino gaming in Atlantic City has resulted in significant economic benefits not only to the residents of the city and its immediate environs, but to all of the residents of the State in the form of increased business and employment opportunities and augmented State and local revenues; and that the future growth of this industry will depend in part upon the provision and operation of an attractive convention center in Atlantic City or the promotion and marketing of the city of Atlantic City and the provision of an adequate mechanism whereby the interests and efforts of the State, the city and the private sector may be effectively coordinated and the financial soundness of a convention center assured.

To this end, the Legislature declares the establishment of an authority having the requisite power to own, lease, promote, operate, maintain, transfer and sell a convention center project in Atlantic City and to promote and market the city of Atlantic City to be in the public interest of the citizens of this State.

The Legislature further finds that it is in the best interests of the State for the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority established pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1981, c.459 (C. 52:27H-29 et seq.), which is the entity most closely related to the facilities and operations of the Atlantic City convention center project, to acquire ownership of and assume responsibility and control over the daily operations of the project.

L.1981, c.459, s.1; amended 1991, c.375, s.4; 2008, c.47, s.5.