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<section article="gec" article_name="Economic Development" number="5-338" 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">
    <text>The Department shall determine whether a brownfields site is a qualified brownfields site based on whether the property:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>is located in a densely populated urban center and is substantially underutilized; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>is an existing or former industrial or commercial site that poses a threat to public health or the environment.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>When reviewing qualified brownfields sites for financial assistance under this part, the Department may consider:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>the feasibility of redevelopment;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>the public benefit to the community and the State through the redevelopment of the property;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>the extent of releases or threatened releases at the brownfields site and the degree to which the cleanup and redevelopment of the brownfields site will protect public health or the environment;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>the potential to attract or retain manufacturing or other economically significant employers;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>the absence of identifiable and financially solvent responsible persons; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>any other factor relevant and appropriate to economic development.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>A person may submit a request to the Department to determine whether the person qualifies for financial assistance for the potential redevelopment of a brownfields site when the person:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>applies to participate in the Voluntary Cleanup Program under Title 7, Subtitle 5 of the Environment Article; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>receives approval from the Department of the Environment to implement a corrective action plan under Title 4 of the Environment Article.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Department shall notify the person whether the person qualifies for financial assistance for the redevelopment of a brownfields site within 30 days after the Department receives a request under subsection (c) of this section if:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>the Department of the Environment approves the participation in the Voluntary Cleanup Plan or a corrective action plan; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>the Department or Authority approves the financial assistance.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The notice shall specify which of the criteria in subsection (b) of this section that the person meets.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>When evaluating potential qualified brownfields sites, the Department shall consult with:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>the Department of the Environment, the Department of Planning, and relevant local officials;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>the neighboring community and any citizens groups located in the community;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>representatives of State and local environmental organizations;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>public health experts; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>any other person the Department considers appropriate.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
