1. (a) There is a Neighborhood Business Development Program.

2. (b) The purposes of the Program are:

   1. (1) in priority funding areas or eligible opportunity zones, to:

      1. (i) help develop, redevelop, or expand small businesses and microenterprises;
      2. (ii) stimulate investment by the private sector;
      3. (iii) invest in revitalization projects for small businesses and microenterprises; and
      4. (iv) stimulate political subdivisions to participate in developing and expanding small businesses and microenterprises; and
   2. (2) in food deserts or parts of priority funding areas or eligible opportunity zones that serve food deserts, to help create and retain small businesses and other food-related enterprises that provide fresh fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods to residents in the food desert.

3. (c) The Program includes:

   1. (1) the Business Development Program; and
   2. (2) the Capital Access Program.

Added by Acts 2005, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2005. Amended by Acts 2007, c. 5, § 1, eff. March 22, 2007; Acts 2010, c. 487, § 1, eff. June 1, 2010; Acts 2014, c. 228, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2014; Acts 2016, c. 482, § 2, eff. July 1, 2016; Acts 2019, c. 211, § 3, eff. July 1, 2019; Acts 2021, c. 91, § 1, eff. July 1, 2021.