AI-assisted research summary: The authority must set approval criteria, give top weight to specified project factors, require certain wage levels, review applicant materials, and may approve companies or projects after review.
The authority shall promulgate criteria for the determination and selection of approved companies and the approval of projects proposed by such companies. Such criteria shall give greatest weight to the creditworthiness of the project sponsors, the number, type, and quality of new jobs to be provided by the project to residents of the state, and the economic viability of the proposed project. The authority may include in its criteria requirements relating to the capital costs of, and projected employment to be produced by, projects eligible for financing under this article and requirements relating to the employment of previously unemployed or underemployed persons. The authority shall require as a condition for designation as an approved company either (i) that the average hourly wage for full-time hourly wage paid employees at the project be at least eight dollars ($8) per hour, or (ii) that the average total compensation (including benefits) for full-time paid employees at the project be at least equivalent to ten dollars ($10) per hour. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the State Industrial Development Authority may allow up to a 10 percent variance from the aforementioned wage requirements for employees when determining and selecting an approved company or project producing or processing agricultural products if the authority expects that the company or project will have a significant economic impact on the area in which it will be located. Provided however, such a variance may not be allowed if the effect of the action of the authority will result in a decrease in state employment. With respect to each applicant for financing under this article, and with respect to the project described in its application, the authority shall request such materials and make such inquiries as are necessary to determine whether the applicant and its proposed project satisfy the authority’s announced criteria and to conduct an adequate cost/benefit analysis with respect to the proposed project and the incentives proposed to be granted by the authority with respect thereto. After a diligent review of the relevant materials and completion of its inquiries and analysis, the authority may by resolution of its board of directors designate an applicant as an approved company and authorize the undertaking of its project.