In order to make parishes and municipalities more self-reliant in funding economic development and to relieve the financial burden on the state by creating a vehicle for economic development to be competitive with other states, this Chapter is enacted for the following purposes:
(1) To facilitate the creation of jobs and to lower unemployment and underemployment by coordinating and facilitating local and regional efforts for economic development programs and projects.
(2) To act as the coordinating entity in acquiring and developing real estate needed to grow the economy.
(3) To receive public and private funds for such purposes.
(4) To assist businesses within the district.