(a) FindingCongress finds that certain States and local communities of the region, including local development districts, may be unable to take maximum advantage of Federal grant programs for which the States and communities are eligible because—
(1)
the States or communities lack the economic resources to provide the required matching share; or
(2)
there are insufficient funds available under the applicable Federal law authorizing the Federal grant program to meet pressing needs of the region.
(b) Federal grant program fundingNotwithstanding any provision of law limiting the Federal share, the areas eligible for assistance, or the authorizations of appropriations of any Federal grant program, and in accordance with subsection (c), the Authority, with the approval of the Federal cochairperson and with respect to a project to be carried out in the region—
(1)
may increase the Federal share of the costs of a project under the Federal grant program to not more than 90 percent (except as provided in section 2009aa–5(b) of this title); and
(c) Certifications
(1) In generalIn the case of any project for which all or any portion of the basic Federal share of the costs of the project is proposed to be paid under this section, no Federal contribution shall be made until the Federal official administering the Federal law that authorizes the Federal grant program certifies that the project—
(A)
meets (except as provided in subsection (b)) the applicable requirements of the applicable Federal grant program; and
(B)
could be approved for Federal contribution under the Federal grant program if funds were available under the law for the project.
(2) Certification by Authority
(A) In generalThe certifications and determinations required to be made by the Authority for approval of projects under this Act in accordance with section 2009aa–8 of this title—
(B) Acceptance by Federal cochairperson
In the case of any project described in paragraph (1), any finding, report, certification, or documentation required to be submitted with respect to the project to the head of the department, agency, or instrumentality of the Federal Government responsible for the administration of the Federal grant program under which the project is carried out shall be accepted by the Federal cochairperson.
(Pub. L. 87–128, title III, § 382D, as added Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(4) [div. B, title V, § 503], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–275; amended Pub. L. 107–171, title VI, § 6027(d), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 373.)