17-5-1502. Legislative declaration. (1) It is the policy of the state of Montana, in the interest of promoting the health, safety, and general welfare of all the people of the state, to increase job opportunities and to retain existing jobs by making available, through the board of investments, funds for industrial, commercial, manufacturing, natural resource, agricultural, livestock, recreational, tourist, and health care development.

(2) The legislature finds that:

(a) a vigorous, diversified, and growing economy is the basic source of job opportunities;

(b) protection against unemployment and its economic burdens and the spread of economic stagnation can best be provided by promoting, attracting, stimulating, and revitalizing a diversified economy with contributions from industry, manufacturing, commerce, natural resource development, agriculture, livestock, recreation, tourism, and health care facilities; and

(c) the state of Montana has a responsibility to help create a favorable climate for new and improved job opportunities and a stable, growing, and healthy economy for its citizens by encouraging the development of business.