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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>348837</law_id><section_number>15.2-5504</section_number><catch_line>Powers of Authority</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="46" identifier="15.2">Counties, Cities and Towns</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="4" identifier="IV">Other Governmental Entities</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="13" identifier="55">Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The <span class="dictionary">Authority</span> shall have the following powers together with all powers incidental thereto or necessary for the performance of those hereinafter stated:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> To sue and be sued and to <span class="dictionary">prosecute</span> and defend, at <span class="dictionary">law</span> or in <span class="dictionary">equity</span>, in any <span class="dictionary">court</span> having <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> of the subject matter and of the parties; <a id="paragraph-1300283" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-5504/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> To adopt and use a corporate seal and to alter the same at pleasure; <a id="paragraph-1300284" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-5504/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> To <span class="dictionary">contract</span> and be contracted with; <a id="paragraph-1300285" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-5504/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> To employ and pay compensation to such employees and agents, including attorneys, as the board of directors deem necessary in carrying on the business of the <span class="dictionary">Authority</span>; <a id="paragraph-1300286" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-5504/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> To exercise all powers expressly given the <span class="dictionary">Authority</span> by the governing bodies of the participating localities which established the <span class="dictionary">Authority</span> and to establish bylaws and make all rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, deemed expedient for the management of the <span class="dictionary">Authority</span>&#x2019;s affairs; <a id="paragraph-1300287" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-5504/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> To borrow money and to accept contributions, grants and other financial assistance from the United States of America and agencies or instrumentalities thereof, the Commonwealth, or any political subdivision, agency, or public instrumentality of the Commonwealth; <a id="paragraph-1300288" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-5504/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> To formulate a tourism development agenda for each <span class="dictionary">participating locality</span> in the LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commissions; <a id="paragraph-1300289" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-5504/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="8"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> To receive and expend moneys on behalf of tourism development; <a id="paragraph-1300290" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-5504/#8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="9"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> To coordinate the participating localities&#x2019; individual tourism plans; and <a id="paragraph-1300291" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-5504/#9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="10"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> To form corporations, limited partnerships or limited liability companies for the purposes of fostering or promoting tourism, job creation, economic development, or the sale of goods manufactured and produced in Virginia. <a id="paragraph-1300292" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-5504/#10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1993, c. 663, &#xA7; 15.1-1399.21; 1997, c. 587; 2004, c. 806.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
