The Legislature finds that many small businesses throughout the state are experiencing economic stagnation or decline, that high interest rates have caused small businesses in this state to suffer disproportionately in profitability and competition and that such high interest rates have fostered a serious increase in unemployment. The linked deposit program provided for by this article is intended to provide a countywide availability of lower cost funds for lending purposes that will materially contribute to the economic revitalization of this state. Accordingly, it is declared to be the public policy of the state to create through the linked deposit program an availability of lower-cost funds to inject needed capital into the business community, sustain or improve business profitability and protect the jobs of citizens of this state. This program is created to supplement the state linked deposit program.