The Legislature finds that production of consumer-ready wood products is very important to the economy of this state and that a sound economy is in the public interest and promotes the general welfare of the people of this state. In order to encourage capital investment in this state, through the manufacture of consumer-ready wood products after June 30, 1997, thereby increasing employment and economic development, there is hereby provide to eligible taxpayers a credit for each new job filled by a full-time hourly employee who works in a new consumer-ready wood product manufacturing facility, or in a new consumer-ready wood product line of an existing manufacturing facility, that begins operating in this state after June 30, 1997.