The following words and phrases used in this article and others evidently intended as the equivalent thereof shall, in the absence of clear implication in this article otherwise, be given the following respective interpretations:

(1) APPLICANT. A natural person who files a written application with the Governor in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-10-138.

(2) AREA OF OPERATION. The area specified in the certificate of incorporation of an authority, within which the authority is empowered to carry on its business and activities under this article.

(3) AUTHORITY. A public corporation organized pursuant to the provisions of this article.

(4) BOARD. The board of directors of an authority.

(5) BONDS. Includes bonds, notes, debentures and certificates representing an obligation to pay money.

(6) COMMISSION. The Alabama Historical Commission, an agency of the state established under Section 41-9-240.

(7) COUNTY. Any county in this state.

(8) DIRECTOR. A member of the board of directors of an authority.

(9) INCORPORATORS. The persons who form an authority pursuant to this article.

(10) MUNICIPALITY. Any incorporated city or town in this state.

(11) NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. The national register of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects significant in American history, architecture, archaeology and culture maintained by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to the laws of the United States of America, including particularly the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended.

(12) PERSON. Unless limited to a natural person by the context in which it is used, such term includes a public or private corporation, a partnership, an association, a municipality, a county or an agency, department or instrumentality of this state or of a county or municipality.

(13) PROPERTY. Includes real, personal and mixed property and interests therein.

(14) STATE. The State of Alabama.

(15) VICINITY IMPROVEMENTS. Buildings, facilities and improvements for the accommodation of visitors to any facility owned by an authority which is registered in the National Register of Historic Places including, without limitation, motels, restaurants, coffee shops, stores to provide gifts and souvenir items, picnic areas, camp sites, trailer sites, cabins, lodges, parking lots, museums, exhibition and lecture rooms and areas, comfort stations, meeting halls, pavilions, centers for cultural entertainment, exhibitions and exhibits and administrative or office buildings; provided that nothing contained in this article is intended to authorize any authority itself to operate as a commercial enterprise any such motel, restaurant, shop or store; and provided further that all such buildings, facilities and improvements are located within one-fourth of one mile of the facility registered in the National Register of Historic Places which is owned or operated or controlled by an authority, and within the area of operation of such authority.