(a) Any property owner of a tract of land that is a brownfield or voluntary remediated site pursuant to 22-22-1 et seq. of this code may, if the site and surrounding area were involved in the extraction and processing of coal, limestone, or other natural resources, apply to the department to become a brownfield economic development district.
(1) Applicants for a brownfield economic development district must demonstrate that the district when designated will create significant economic development activity;