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A.  The legislature finds the following:

(1)  The unique, nationally significant cultural, historic, natural, and scenic resources of the Atchafalaya Trace Heritage Area should be utilized in a sustainable manner to their maximum potential in order to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of the region.

(2)  Many residents of the area have historically suffered from a lack of economic opportunities due to a poor infrastructure, few employment opportunities, and a lack of access to capital.

(3)  Many of the tax incentive and capital access programs administered by the Department of Economic Development do not target heritage-based businesses located in the trace area.

(4)  The Atchafalaya Trace Commission is in a unique position to provide valuable assistance to the residents of the trace area in obtaining access to capital, tax incentives, educational resources, and other economic development tools in order to enhance the economic vitality of the area.

B.  This Part is intended to achieve the following purposes:

(1)  To assist individuals and businesses that are engaged in heritage-based commercial activities in obtaining capital and tax incentives through existing programs administered by the Department of Economic Development and other local, state, and federal agencies.

(2)  To create a pilot program that provides specific tax incentives for heritage-based cottage industry located in the trace area in order to foster more economic development and job opportunities for the residents of the area.

(3)  To improve the overall quality of life of the residents of the Atchafalaya Trace Heritage Area.

Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 112, §1, eff. January 1, 2003.