Section 481. Definitions

When used in this article:
    1.  "Office"  means  the state office of rural affairs created by this
  article.
    2. "Director" means the chief  administrative  officer  of  the  state
  office of rural affairs.
    3.  "State agency" means any department, office, council, or agency of
  the state, or any public benefit corporation or authority authorized  by
  the laws of the state.
    4.  "Federal  agency" means any department, office, council, or agency
  of  the  federal  government,  or  any  public  benefit  corporation  or
  authority authorized by federal statute.
    5.  "Local  agency"  means  any  municipality, or office or department
  thereof or not-for-profit  organization  created  for  the  purposes  of
  enhancing the quality of life and revitalization of rural areas.
    6.  "Municipality"  means  any  county, city, town, village, or school
  district.
    7. "Rural areas" means counties within the state having less than  two
  hundred   thousand  population,  and  the  municipalities,  individuals,
  institutions, communities, programs and such other entities or resources
  as are found therein. In counties of two  hundred  thousand  or  greater
  population,  "rural  areas" means towns with population densities of one
  hundred fifty persons  or  less  per  square  mile,  and  the  villages,
  individuals, institutions, communities, programs and such other entities
  or resources as are found therein.
    8.  "Rural  development and revitalization" shall mean those policies,
  programs, laws, regulations, or other matters having to  do  with  rural
  areas  including, but not limited to, human services and community life;
  health care; education; business, economic development, and  employment;
  agriculture;    environment,    land   use,   and   natural   resources;
  transportation; community  facilities,  housing;  and  local  government
  services and management.