Louisiana Small Business Owners Want Public Lands Protected & Preserved

Publisher: 
Small Business Majority
Date: 
Thursday, July 10, 2014

Scientific opinion polling reveals small business owners in Louisiana believe protecting their state’s natural assets is one way we can enhance the financial success of small businesses and local economies. 

Furthermore, the vast majority of them support extending the life of the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, which helps protect places like the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve and the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge, along with local parks, trails and recreational facilities. 

This was not just a poll of owners whose income is related to outdoor activities. In fact, the vast majority of owners reported their business as a professional service (50%), retail or wholesale trade, construction or manufacturing or something else. Moreover, respondents were majority Republican, with 56% identifying as Republican or leaning Republican, 37% identifying as Democrat or leaning Democrat and 7% identifying as independent.

Key Findings

More than 9 in 10 Louisiana entrepreneurs agree public lands that draw visitors have a positive impact on local small businesses, and that the preservation of these lands is important to the economy and can create jobs: 94% agree public lands, forests, wildlife areas and waterways that draw visitors have a positive effect on small local businesses such as restaurants, hotels, grocery stores and other such businesses. Another 90% believe public lands are an important part of the economy, and 87% believe we can protect our land and water and have a strong economy and create local jobs.

More than 9 in 10 Louisiana small business owners say public lands have a positive impact on local economies

Which of the following statements do you agree with more:

Nine in 10 Louisiana small business owners believe Congressional leadership should extend the life of the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, which will expire next year if not extended: The Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, which receives its funding from fees paid by oil and gas companies that do offshore drilling, protects national forests and parks. It also matches money that state and local governments invest in protecting clean water and wildlife habitats. Over the past four decades, Louisiana has received about $205 million to protect places like the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve and the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge. However, the fund will expire next year if Congress doesn't vote to extend it. Ninety-three percent of Louisiana small businesses support Congressional leadership extending the life of the Fund beyond 2015.

Small businesses strongly support extending the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund

Would you support or oppose Congressional leadership working to extend the life of the fund beyond 2015?

Four in five entrepreneurs believe the Conservation Fund can create outdoor recreation opportunities, which supports local jobs and small businesses: 80% of respondents agree the Land and Water Conservation Fund can create and protect outdoor recreation opportunities, which support local jobs and small business in Louisiana. Only 15% believe it doesn’t have much impact on local jobs.

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