(1) It is the intent of the Legislature by Sections 25-45-13 through 25-45-17 to make permitting more effective in order to improve economic development within the State of Mississippi. In accordance with this intent, the Mississippi Department of Economic Development shall coordinate and implement the terms and provisions of Sections 25-45-1 through 25-45-9, which provide for “one-stop permitting,” and serve as liaison between all agencies of the state affected by those sections in order to implement same, through the functions outlined as follows:

(a) Participating in the initial permit contact with industry;

(b) Providing general permit information;

(c) Arranging meetings with pertinent regulatory agencies;

(d) Acting as industry’s advocate in obtaining environmental permits; and

(e) Considering various data bases and other relevant planning information to assist the industrial prospect in the location and permitting process.

(2) A Department of Economic Development representative shall:

(a) Attend all meetings of the permit board created by Section 49-17-28 and all permit considerations by agencies of the State of Mississippi; and

(b) Prepare reports as needed, including incidences of unusual delays in permit issuance, and make recommendations from time to time for improvement of the permit issuance process.

(3) The Department of Economic Development shall prepare and publish:

(a) A directory or inventory of business and industry permits;

(b) A guide to required environmental permits in Mississippi; and

(c) A master permit information form.