A business entity may apply to the Department to enroll an eligible project in the Program if the eligible project: Is in a Tier I area and the business entity intends to create at least five qualified positions at the project location; or Is in a Tier II area and the business entity intends to create at least ten qualified positions at the project location. A new business entity may be certified as a qualified business entity if the new business entity: Notifies the Department of its intent to seek designation of an eligible project before establishing its facility in the State; and Offers an ongoing job skills enhancement training program or postsecondary education program that is approved by the Department. A new business entity shall submit an application to the Department on a form approved by the Department and shall include the following information: The anticipated date of the establishment and initial operation of the facility and the nature of its operations; The expected location of the facility; The estimated number of qualified positions to be created and qualified employees to be hired and the anticipated payroll of the new qualified employees; and Any other information required by the Department. An existing business entity may apply to be certified as a qualified business entity if the existing business entity increases the number of qualified positions as required under §A of this regulation for an eligible project in a Tier I area or a Tier II area. An existing business entity may be certified as a qualified business entity if the business entity: Notifies the Department of its intent to seek designation of an eligible project prior to hiring any employees to fill the qualified positions necessary to meet the requirements of the Act; and Offers an ongoing job skills enhancement training program or postsecondary education program that is approved by the Department. An existing business entity shall submit an application to the Department on a form approved by the Department and shall include the following information: The number of full-time employees existing before the expansion and the payroll of the existing employees; The estimated number of qualified positions to be created and qualified employees to be hired and the anticipated payroll of the new qualified employees; and Any other information required by the Department. Time to Hire. A business entity shall begin hiring the employees to fill the qualified positions necessary to meet the requirements of the Act within 12 months after it notifies the Department of its intent to seek designation of an eligible project. A business entity shall hire the employees to fill the minimum number of qualified positions required under §A of this regulation within 12 months after it hires the first employee to fill the qualified positions necessary to meet the requirements of the Act. If a business entity satisfies the definition of qualified business entity, the Secretary shall provide to the qualified business entity an initial certificate that: Certifies the eligible project that is enrolled in the Program; Provides the duration of the certification; and Provides any additional information necessary for the Comptroller and Department to administer the Program. On enrollment in the Program, a qualified business entity is eligible for the benefits described in Regulation .10 of this chapter. The Department may not provide a qualified business entity a certificate after the date specified in Economic Development Article, §6-805, Annotated Code of Maryland. If at any time the qualified business entity ceases to operate the eligible project, the qualified business entity shall give notice to the Department.