Scientific Opinion Poll Finds Louisiana Entrepreneurs Believe Public Lands Important to Small Business Success, Want Lawmakers to Extend Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund

Washington, DC̢??‰۝A scientific opinion poll released today by Small Business Majority found the vast majority of small business owners in Louisiana believe protecting their state̢??‰?s natural assets is one way we can enhance the financial success of small businesses and local economies, and strongly support extending the life of the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, which helps protect them.

The poll, conducted June 12-15, 2014 by Public Policy Polling on behalf of Small Business Majority, reveals nine in 10 Louisiana small business owners believe the state̢??‰?s parks, waterways, swamps and other public lands are an important part of the economy, and 94 percent agree public lands draw visitors and have a positive impact on small local businesses. What̢??‰?s more, 87 percent think we can protect our land and water and have a strong economy and create local jobs.

̢???Louisiana's parks, waterways, forests and swamps are an important part of our heritage and are an essential part of our economy,̢???? said Matt Glassman, co-owner of small business SPROUT NOLA, LLC in New Orleans. ̢???I believe many people who visit or move to Louisiana choose this state because of its outdoor recreation and natural beauty. Many of them end up starting businesses because they quickly realize they don̢??‰?t want to live anywhere else, and down here we just have that entrepreneurial spirit. In New Orleans, we rely heavily on tourism to sustain the local economy and create jobs. But if we don̢??‰?t protect our public lands, Louisiana could lose its appeal for many potential visitors, and small businesses would suffer the consequences. We want our government to protect these areas and others like them for future generations. Other than special interests, I can't imagine anyone wanting to see the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund expire.̢????

Louisiana entrepreneurs want lawmakers to protect the state̢??‰?s public lands and extend the life of the Conservation Fund set up to protect them. Two-thirds of Louisiana small employers believe policymakers should be doing more to protect the water, air, parks and wildlife habitat in the state. 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 fund 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. It receives its funding from fees paid by oil and gas companies that do offshore drilling. It also matches money that state and local governments invest in protecting clean water and wildlife habitats.

Four in five entrepreneurs believe the Conservation Fund can create outdoor recreation opportunities, which supports local jobs and small businesses. What̢??‰?s more, the vast majority (84 percent) of small employers believe fund revenues should go to intended purposes only̢??‰۝the protection of public lands. Since the fund was created, almost two-thirds of the money in the fund has gone to other uses, leaving our national parks without the money they need.

̢???Our nation̢??‰?s most prolific job creators are asking that smart steps be taken to preserve Louisiana̢??‰?s natural assets because they believe it̢??‰?s essential for their continued success,̢???? said John Arensmeyer, founder & CEO of Small Business Majority. ̢???Entrepreneurs have seen firsthand that protecting the state̢??‰?s public lands can attract customers and strengthen the economy, so it should come as no surprise that they overwhelmingly support preserving the Conservation Fund. It just makes good business sense.̢????

Protecting Louisiana̢??‰?s public lands is important to small business owners in a variety of industries̢??‰۝not just those whose income is related to outdoor activities. In fact, the majority of owners reported their business as a professional service, retail or wholesale trade, construction or manufacturing or something else. Moreover, respondents were politically diverse, with 56 percent identifying as Republican or leaning Republican, 37 percent identifying as Democrat or leaning Democrat and 7 percent identifying as independent.

To read the full report visit Small Business Majority̢??‰?s website: http://www.smallbusinessmajority.org/small-business-research/public-lands/louisiana-poll.php