Ch. 434

2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(II) THE BUSINESS OPERATIONS OF THE APPLICANT ARE LOCATED
IN AN AREA THAT WAS DECLARED A FEDERAL DISASTER AREA WITHIN 1 YEAR PRIOR
TO THE RECEIPT OF THE APPLICATION BY THE FUND; and

(6) Any other relevant information that the Department requests.
5-1405.

(b) Financial assistance from the Fund may be used only to finance costs
incurred for:

(1)     Acquisition or construction of a building or real estate;

(2)     Acquisition, construction, or installation of machinery, equipment,
furnishings, fixtures, leasehold improvements, site improvements, or infrastructure
improvements, including rail line enhancements on or to the site of an economic
development project;

(3)     Working capital for significant strategic economic development
opportunities, arts and entertainment enterprises, or arts and entertainment
projects;

(4)     Redevelopment of qualified brownfields sites;

(5)     (i) Except as provided in item (ii) of this paragraph, up to 50% of
the costs of renovations, construction, or purchase of real property, fixtures, or
equipment related to a child care facility, but not for refinancing existing loans,
working capital, supplies, or inventory; or

(ii) A business that has received or will receive a day care loan
insured by the Maryland Industrial Development Financing Authority; such
businesses shall be limited to financial assistance from the Fund of not more than
20% of the costs described in item (i) of this paragraph;

(6)     If incurred by a local government, costs of feasibility studies; [and]

(7)     Up to 50% of the costs of preparing a county's or municipality's
strategy or plan for economic development, not to exceed a total of $50,000 in a 3-year
period; AND

(8)      ANY PROJECT INTENDED TO ASSIST BUSINESSES IN AREAS
DECLARED FEDERAL DISASTER AREAS, BUT ONLY IF THE FUND RECEIVED AN
APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITHIN 1 YEAR AFTER THE
DECLARATION OF THE FEDERAL DISASTER AREA.

5-1410.

(e) For the purpose of providing financial assistance under this subtitle, the
following shall be deemed to be in eligible industry sectors and are not subject to the
requirements specifically imposed on significant strategic economic development
opportunities and local economic development opportunities:

(1) Animal waste technology projects;

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