RMI'S PURPOSE IS TO FURTHER PROMOTE THE ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF STATES SITUATED IN THE MIDWESTERN UNITED STATES, PROMOTE AND ASSIST THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS WITHIN RMI'S SERVICE AREA TO BENEFIT RESIDENTS OF THE MIDWESTERN STATES AS MEASURED BY INCREASED EMPLOYEMENT, PAYROLL, BUSINESS VOLUME, TAX BASE, AND CITIZEN RETENTION.