This article shall be known as the Linked Deposit Program of 2007. The purpose of this article is to enhance the George Wallace, Jr., Plan for Linked Deposits of 1988 and further stimulate growth and development in agricultural and small business operations, and to provide disaster relief funds to citizens, by authorizing the State Treasurer to invest a portion of the portfolio of the state with participating eligible lending institutions in a below market rate deposit which links the deposit to a reduced rate loan to eligible borrowers.