A.  The board may, when necessary, levy annually an ad valorem tax not to exceed five mills on the dollar of assessed valuation of all property within its territorial limits if the amount, term, and purpose of the tax, as set out in a proposition submitted to a vote in accordance with the Louisiana Election Code, is approved by a majority of the qualified electors within the jurisdiction of the commission voting in an election held for that purpose.

B.  All funds derived under this Section may be used for any expenses or purposes of the commission.  The board shall establish and maintain, in addition to all necessary and normal accounts, the following special accounts:

(1)  A revolving loan guarantee fund, to be used to guarantee industrial or business terminal development loans to the extent permitted by the Constitution of Louisiana under the following guidelines:

(a)  Loan guarantees shall be made only when adequate financing for the project is unavailable through normal lending channels and the project represents a sound business venture that is financially and economically feasible.

(b)  Loan guarantees shall be used to assist an identifiable business concern to finance plant construction, conversion, or expansion and to finance acquisition of land, existing structures, machinery, or equipment and to provide operational funds.

(c)  The terms and rates shall be compatible with loans offered by local lending institutions and the guarantee shall never exceed forty percent of the cost of the total project.  In addition, the commission shall attempt to obtain the most favorable security available under the circumstances to protect and ensure the recovery of its commitment under the guarantee.

(d)  Loan guarantees may be evaluated for the economic impact in terms of the number and types of jobs created or saved.

(e)  Loan guarantees shall be made to leverage other sources of private and public capital to attain the greatest economic impact possible with the limited funds available.

(f)  Loan guarantees shall be targeted to export industries, manufacturing firms, wholesale distribution firms, and service firms.

(g)  The lending or underwriting principals shall have such demonstrated experience, ability, and net worth as would allow for the success, continuation, security, and solvency of the program.  Prudent lending and underwriting standards shall be applied in order to comply with the primary objectives of this Subpart.

(2)  An economic development operational fund, for the development and attraction of industries to accomplish the following:

(a)  The operational fund shall be used for operating expenses necessary in creation of industrial and commercial development, in hiring sufficient staff to accomplish the purposes set out in this Subpart, and other related expenses.

(b)  The operational fund may also be utilized in contracting for services as may be required by the board, including but not limited to planning assistance, surveys, land use studies, professional and technical services, and other services necessary to effectuate a unified industrial development plan.

(3)  An account for the maintenance and operation of a governmental procurement center to provide necessary information to companies and individuals engaged in providing services and goods to accomplish the following:

(a)  Pinpoint and identify potential buying centers and aid in placing the company on a bidder’s list for these centers and assist companies in obtaining specifications for their products or services.

(b)  Provide trained counselors to assist in acquiring solicitation and bid packages and conduct seminars designed to disseminate other information needed by the target companies and individuals.

Acts 2014, No. 834, §1, eff. June 23, 2014.