Sec. 05.13.07.08. Applications and Processing

A. An application for financial assistance shall be submitted to the Department and shall be made upon standard forms prescribed by the Department.

B. Each application shall:

(1) Be submitted by an eligible applicant as described in Regulation .03 of this chapter;

(2) Contain the applicant's organizational documents, including, as applicable, its articles of incorporation, bylaws,articles of organization, operating agreement, certificate of partnership, partnership agreement, or joint venture agreement;

(3) Contain a description of the project;

(4) Contain a description of all sources of funding the applicant has obtained for the project;

(5) Contain sufficient information to determine that the:

(a) Project is located in a priority funding area;

(b) Project is eligible in accordance with Regulation .04 of this chapter; and

(c) Terms and requirements of financial assistance as set forth in Regulation .05 of this chapter can be met; and

(6) Contain the following additional information:

(a) The estimated number and types of jobs to be created or retained by the project;

(b) The amount, size, and types of space to be created or retained;

(c) The cost of the project;

(d) A project budget identifying all sources and uses of funds;

(e) A pro forma showing anticipated project revenue, expenses, and debt service and other indebtedness of the project;

(f) Identification of the revenues which can be used to repay the financial assistance provided by the Administration; and

(g) Other information as the Administration may request.

C. Application Evaluation.

(1) Each application submitted shall be reviewed by the Administration to determine whether all of the information required is contained in the application.

(2) Upon submission of all required information, the Administration shall undertake an analysis of each application and make a recommendation to the Secretary as to whether, in accordance with this section, a project is eligible for financial assistance, the amount of financial assistance, and any special terms and conditions for a project.

(3) The Administration may take the information set forth in an application and the following factors into consideration in recommending an award of financial assistance:

(a) The ratio of Program and other State funds to both private and other non-State public funds;

(b) The relationship of a project to area revitalization plans, efforts, and strategies;

(c) The capability of an applicant to administer a project;

(d) The potential of the business to serve the needs of the priority funding area in which it is situated; and

(e) Other factors which the Administration determines are desirable in fostering commercial and economic revitalization within a local jurisdiction.

D. Approval of Applications.

(1) The Administration shall evaluate each application for financial assistance. If the Administration recommends approval of a project for financial assistance, the Administration shall present the project to the Secretary. The Secretary shall approve, disapprove, or approve with modifications all financial assistance to be provided under the Program.

(2) The Secretary, in the sole discretion of the Secretary, may delegate to an authorized officer of the Department and Administration the authority to recommend approval, approve, disapprove, or approve with modifications financial assistance provided under the Program.

E. Rejection of Applications. If the Administration does not recommend approval of a project for financial assistance, the Administration shall issue a written notice of rejection with an evaluation and explanation for rejection.

F. Reconsideration.

(1) An applicant may request reconsideration of a rejection by submitting a written request, to the Secretary, which is received within 30 days following the date of the rejection notice. The request for reconsideration shall address each reason for the rejection and provide documentation supporting reasons for reconsideration of the issues. The Secretary shall respond in writing to the applicant's request for reconsideration within 30 days of receipt by the Secretary of the request for reconsideration.

(2) An initial decision or reconsideration of a decision is not a contested case within the meaning of the Administrative Procedure Act or COMAR 05.01.01.02.

(3) The Secretary, in the sole discretion of the Secretary, may delegate to an authorized officer of the Department the authority to approve, disapprove, or approve with modifications a request for reconsideration of a rejection under the Program.

G. Closing. The closing of an award of financial assistance shall be scheduled at a time acceptable to the Department and the Office of the Attorney General.

H. Disbursement of Financial Assistance. Financial assistance may be disbursed in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the financial assistance documents.