(a) In generalThe Authority may approve grants to States and public and nonprofit entities for projects, approved in accordance with section 2009aa–8 of this title—
(2)
to assist the region in obtaining the job training, employment-related education, and business development (with an emphasis on entrepreneurship) that are needed to build and maintain strong local economies;
(3)
to provide assistance to severely distressed and underdeveloped areas that lack financial resources for improving basic public services;
(b) Funding
(2) Priority of fundingTo best build the foundations for long-term economic development and to complement other Federal and State resources in the region, Federal funds available under this subchapter shall be focused on the activities in the following order or priority:
(B)
Transportation infrastructure for the purpose of facilitating economic development in the region.
(D)
Job training or employment-related education, with emphasis on use of existing public educational institutions located in the region.
(Pub. L. 87–128, title III, § 382C, as added Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(4) [div. B, title V, § 503], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–274; amended Pub. L. 107–171, title VI, § 6027(c), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 373.)