(a) This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "OneGeorgia Authority Act."

(b) The General Assembly finds that:

(1) Despite the overall prosperity of the State of Georgia, the economic prosperity and development of rural Georgia has lagged behind that of the urban areas of the state.

(2) It is declared to be the public policy of this state to promote the health, welfare, safety, and economic security of the rural citizens of the state through the development and retention of employment opportunities in rural areas and the enhancement of the infrastructures which accomplish that goal.

(3) The public policies of this state as set forth in this Code section cannot be fully attained without the use of public financing and financial assistance, either direct or indirect; and such public financing can best be provided by the creation of a rural economic development authority having as its members certain public officers and officials whose attentions and efforts will thereby be focused on the prosperity of rural Georgia.