Ch. 311

LAWS OF MARYLAND

(g) An application by a political subdivision and the
designation by the Secretary of an area as an enterprise zone
shall constitute the State approval that may be required for
designation as an enterprise zone under federal law.

(h) Before designating an enterprise zone, the Secretary
shall consult with and ask the advice of the [Department's
Advisory Commission] APPROPRIATE INDIVIDUALS AND ADVISORS.

[12-303.] 5-303.

(a)  The Secretary may not designate any area an enterprise
zone unless that area satisfies at least one of the following
requirements:

(1)  The average rate of unemployment in the area, or
within a reasonable proximity within that county to that area,
for the most recent 18 month period for which data are available
must be at least 150 percent of the average rate of unemployment
in either the State of Maryland or the United States, whichever
average rate is greater, during that same period;

(2)  The population in the area or within a reasonable
proximity within that county to that area is a low-income poverty
area on the basis of the most recent census;

(3)  At least 70 percent of the families living in the
area or within a reasonable proximity within that county to that
area have incomes that are less than an amount equal to 80
percent of the median family income within the political
subdivision in which the area is located; or

(4)  Population in the area or within a reasonable
proximity within that county to that area decreased by 10 percent
between the date of the most recent census and the date of the
immediately preceding census, and the political subdivision can
demonstrate to the Secretary's satisfaction that either chronic
abandonment or demolition of property is occurring in that area
or substantial property tax arrearages exist within that area.

(b)  The Secretary may establish by regulation any other
requirements that the Secretary reasonably determines are
necessary and appropriate to assure that the purposes of this
subtitle are satisfied.

(c)  In determining if an area meets the requirements of
this section the Secretary may consider data provided by the
United States Bureau of the Census from the most recent census or
any other reliable data which the Secretary determines to be
acceptable for the purposes for which such data are used.

[12-304.] 5-304.

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