(a) The Department of Community Affairs shall certify that a project has received a certificate of compliance as a REAP to the Department of Natural Resources; the Department of Industry, Trade, and Tourism; the Department of Transportation; the Department of Revenue; the Department of Labor; the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority; and any other state department, agency, or instrumentality which requests such certification. All state agencies, departments, and instrumentalities are encouraged to give priority in their permitting and licensing and in the processing of grants and loans to local governments for projects which have received a certification.

(b) Where authorized by local ordinance or resolution, a certified project or facility located in a certified project shall be authorized to make sales of malt beverages, wine, or distilled spirits by the drink for consumption on the premises only, upon obtaining a license from the appropriate local authority and the state revenue commissioner. Where all of such sales at all times authorized in any other jurisdiction are not authorized by local ordinance or resolution, a certification of compliance as a REAP shall authorize the state revenue commissioner to issue a state license for the sale of malt beverages, wine, or distilled spirits by the drink for consumption on the premises only which are not authorized by local ordinance or resolution to the developer, owner, or operator of a certified project or facility located in a certified project, upon the payment of taxes and fees and, except as provided in this article, compliance with the provisions of Title 3 and Department of Revenue regulations; provided, however, that notwithstanding any contrary provision of Title 3, such a licensee shall not be required to obtain a license from the local government until such time as such sales are authorized by local ordinance or resolution. Further, such a license for the sale of malt beverages, wine, or distilled spirits by the drink for consumption on the premises only may only be issued to such a developer, owner, or operator of a certified project or facility located in a certified project which is located wholly or partially in a municipal corporation or county in which the sale of malt beverages, wine, or distilled spirits by the drink for consumption on the premises only for which such license is sought is not otherwise authorized by local ordinance or resolution. Any license issued to a certified project or facility located in a certified project shall include the right to sell at all times otherwise authorized in any other jurisdiction in this state malt beverages, wine, or distilled spirits for consumption on the premises only.

(c) The local government or governments encompassing the facility or facilities for which a state license for the sale of malt beverages, wine, or distilled spirits by the drink for consumption on the premises only is issued pursuant to this Code section, with or without the issuance of a local license, is authorized to levy and collect any local taxes on such alcoholic beverages as are otherwise authorized by law.