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<section article="gec" article_name="Economic Development" number="5-321" title_number="5" title_name="Economic Development and Financial Assistance Programs" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>After consulting with the Department and the Maryland Department of Labor, each year the Maryland Economic Development Commission shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>evaluate the potential employment and economic growth of Maryland’s industry sectors; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>recommend eligible industry sectors to the Authority.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Each year the Authority shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>consider the recommendation of the Maryland Economic Development Commission; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>establish a list of industry sectors that will be eligible for financial assistance from the Fund.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>In determining whether an applicant is engaged in an eligible industry sector, the Department shall consider the definitions set forth in the North American Industry Classification System.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>For the purpose of providing financial assistance under this subtitle, the following are deemed to be in eligible industry sectors:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>aquaculture projects;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>arts and entertainment enterprises;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>arts and entertainment projects;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>redevelopment of qualified brownfields sites;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>creation or expansion of child care facilities;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>projects in areas that are declared to be federal disaster areas within 1 year before the Department receives an application for financial assistance under this subtitle; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>feasibility studies.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The requirements specifically imposed on significant strategic economic development opportunities and local economic development opportunities under this subtitle do not apply to the items listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
