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<section article="gec" article_name="Economic Development" number="5-556" title_number="5" title_name="Economic Development and Financial Assistance Programs" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority">
  <level label="a">
    <text>To qualify for financial assistance under this part the principal shall satisfy the Authority that the principal:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>is of good moral character or is owned by individuals of good moral character;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>as determined from creditors, employers, and other individuals who have personal knowledge, is an individual with a reputation for financial responsibility or is owned by individuals, a majority of whom have a reputation for financial responsibility;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>is a resident of the State or the principal place of business of the applicant is in the State; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>is unable to obtain adequate bonding on reasonable terms through normal channels.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>To qualify for financial assistance under this part the principal shall certify to the Authority, and the Authority shall be satisfied, that:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>a bond is required to bid on a contract or to serve as prime contractor or subcontractor;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>a bond cannot be obtained on reasonable terms and conditions without assistance from the Program; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>the principal will not subcontract more than 75% of the monetary value of the contract.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
