Senate Bill 2315

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA ENTERPRISE ZONE TO FOCUS ON IMPROVING THE SMALL BUSINESS CLIMATE THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA REGION THROUGH PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO SMALL BUSINESSES, CREATING INCUBATORS AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR MISSISSIPPI BASED INDEPENDENT GROCERY STORES, FARMERS MARKETS AND EXISTING CONVENIENCE STORES IN THE ENTERPRISE ZONE, AND BY PROVIDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SHALL DEVELOP NEW STRATEGIES FOR THE ENTERPRISE ZONE THAT WILL INCREASE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES IN THE ENTERPRISE ZONE; TO PROVIDE THAT ACTIVITIES IN THE ZONE SHALL BE ADMINISTERED BY A COORDINATOR APPOINTED BY THE ADVISORY BOARD CREATED BY THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DUTIES OF THE COORDINATOR; TO CREATE THE DELTA ENTERPRISE ZONE ADVISORY BOARD AND PROVIDE FOR ITS DUTIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Mississippi Delta Enterprise Zone, which may be hereinafter referred to as the Enterprise Zone, which shall be composed of the counties of Bolivar, Coahoma, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Leflore, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower and Washington.

(2) The focus in the Enterprise Zone shall on improving the small business climate the Mississippi Delta Region through providing incentives to small businesses, creating incubators and tax incentives for Mississippi based independent grocery stores, farmers markets or existing convenience stores in the Enterprise Zone, and by providing training and technical assistance.

(3) The Enterprise Zone shall utilize a regional approach to develop opportunities, and offer new federal, state and local incentives for development.

(4) To create a better economic climate and increase opportunities for development, the Enterprise Zone shall utilize resources generated from the region to leverage other investments.

SECTION 2. The Mississippi Development Authority shall develop new strategies for the Enterprise Zone that will increase business activities in the Enterprise Zone, including targeted tax incentives, training and technical assistance.

SECTION 3. (1) Activities in the zone shall be administered by a coordinator. The coordinator shall be appointed by the Delta Area Enterprise Zone Advisory Board created under Section 4 of this act. Subject to the availability of funding, the coordinator may employ such support and clerical staff as may be necessary to accomplish the goals of the enterprise zone.

(2) The following are the primary duties of the coordinator:

(a) To arrange and conduct meetings with small businesses and entrepreneurs in the enterprise zone region in order to inform them of any available incentives, training and technical assistance and to learn of any problems for which assistance may be provided;

(b) To identify business needs and challenges and to pursue opportunities in a coordinated, strategic manner for small business expansion through meeting individually and jointly with local and regional economic development entities, the Mississippi Development Authority and representatives of Coahoma Community College, Holmes Community College, Mississippi Delta Community College and Northwest Mississippi Community College;

(c) To organize, coordinate and support activities in the Enterprise Zone that promote the purposes for which the Enterprise Zone is created; and

(d) To perform such other duties as may be directed by the Mississippi Development Authority.

(3) The office of the coordinator shall be funded by local contributions from governmental agencies and private entities. The coordinator may receive and expend matching funds from the local county and municipal governments in the Enterprise Zone for the support of his activities, and any state, local or private funds available to the Enterprise Zone may be used by the coordinator to match any federal funds available to support the work of the coordinator.

SECTION 4. (1) There is created the Delta Enterprise Zone Advisory Board that shall be composed of the following members:

(a) The President of Coahoma Community College or his or her designee;

(b) The President of Holmes Community College or his or her designee;

(d) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority or his or her designee;

(e) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security or his or her designee;

(f) Two (2) recognized Delta area business leaders to be appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(g) Two (2) recognized Delta area business leaders to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor; and

(h) One (1) recognized Delta area business leader to be appointed by the Governor.

(2) It is the intent of the Legislature that the Delta Enterprise Zone Advisory Board be constituted in such a way that all areas of the Delta region are represented, and the appointing authorities are encouraged to coordinate their appointments to achieve a balanced cabinet with representation from throughout the Enterprise Zone. Vacancies on the board must be filled in the manner consistent with the original appointments.

(3) The Delta Enterprise Zone Advisory Board shall meet no less than quarterly to review the ongoing work of the office of the coordinator.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2016.