The Authority is created as an instrumentality of the State for the accomplishment of the following general purposes, all or any of them, which are intended to broaden and not to restrict any other powers given to it in this chapter:

(1) To foster and stimulate economic growth in Fairfield County as a prototype approach to rural area development in South Carolina through the establishment of housing, industrial, commercial and recreational developments on project lands which are compatible with and complementary to the county’s cultural and historic heritage.

(2) To provide a controlled environmental laboratory as a microcosm of statewide environmental, socio-economic, health and settlement patterns and to test advanced technologies, principles and concepts relating to construction, pollution control, waste disposal, housing, the interrelationships of land uses, transportation systems and the delivery of public services.

(3) To establish and operate an environmental science park including laboratories, conference rooms, dormitories, technical libraries and related educational facilities as a learning center and in-service training center for teachers and technicians and to serve as a focal point for citizen participation in a coordinated effort to develop new and innovative ways to protect their cultural, natural and man-made heritage.

(4) To develop a major lake and statewide recreation facility for the pleasure and enjoyment of all the people of South Carolina and for the purpose of recreation research and experimentation with special emphasis on the recreation facilities and activity needs of the aged, and the physically, socially and mentally handicapped.

(5) To foster and stimulate national and international travel to South Carolina by constructing, equipping and maintaining on project lands historical, cultural and environmental interpretive centers, recreation features, convention facilities, exhibition areas, entertainment facilities and accommodations for travelers.

(6) To cooperate with the State of South Carolina and the United States of America, and any agency or any department, corporation or instrumentality thereof, in the maintenance, development, improvement and use of New Horizons lands and facilities and all its functions.

(7) To accept funds, other assets and services from Fairfield County and municipalities located therein and from the State of South Carolina, and to use them in such manner, within the purposes of the Authority as shall be stipulated by the county or the State in any matter coming within the general purposes of the Authority.

(8) To act as agent for the United States of America, or any agency, department, corporation or instrumentality thereof, in any matter coming within the purposes of the Authority.

(9) In general to do and perform any act or function which may tend to or be useful toward the development and improvement of the New Horizons Project and its purposes, including the conduct of statewide research and demonstration programs.