§ 138b.7. Criteria for awarding grants.
Grants will be awarded by the Secretary only after consideration of the Grant Committee’s recommendation. In making its recommendation to the Secretary, the Grant Committee will consider:
(1) The applicant. A prerequisite for a grant is an applicant who has demonstrated achievement as an agricultural processor. Accordingly, the following factors will be considered:
(i) The capital needs of the applicant in light of available funds.
(ii) The payment to date of tax obligations due and owed by the applicant to the Commonwealth or a political subdivision.
(iii) The experience and credentials of the applicant.
(iv) The credit history and rating of the applicant as determined from credit reporting services and other sources.
(v) The applicant’s total assets controlled, equity owned, contingent liabilities and history of earnings to date.
(2) The project. In addition to the information required to be submitted in the proposal according to § 138b.5 (relating to submission of proposal), the following factors relating to the project for which a grant is sought will be considered:
(i) The potential for success for the project, given the proximity to consumers, involved costs and other relevant information.
(ii) The existing level of similar processing operation in the geographic area in which the project is located.
(iii) The impact upon the Commonwealth’s agriculture and the rural poor.
(iv) The amount and nature of farm commodities developed into value added products.
(3) Special consideration. Special consideration will be given to projects that:
(i) Would create an increase in the market demand of a particular farm commodity.
(ii) Locate processing operations in rural areas and using rural labor.
(iii) Involve small business which show a potential for growth.
(4) Geographic distribution. The Committee will consider other grant awards in an attempt to make an equitable geographic distribution of grants throughout this Commonwealth giving priority to agricultural areas.
Cross References This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 138b.5 (relating to submission of proposal).
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