04 NCAC 01I .0402            REQUIRED FINDINGS

(a)  Before the Department shall approve a project, a finding must be made that the project:

(1)           shall assist a unit of Government in one of eligible tier areas of the State; and

(2)           the funds shall be used for renovation of buildings or infrastructure or equipment by firms that have industry classifications currently eligible for tax incentives under G.S. 105-129.4.

(b)  The Department shall document a finding based on data provided in the application or by staff research, that the jobs to be created by a project, over no more than a three year period, shall be large enough in number to have a measurable favorable impact on the area immediately surrounding the project and shall be commensurate with the size and cost of the grant to the project. The applicant has the burden of demonstrating that the jobs shall have a measurable impact on the county. The applicant must show by clear and convincing evidence the number and type of such jobs generated.

(c)  The Department shall make a finding that the operator of the proposed project has demonstrated the capabilities to operate such a facility. The applicant shall show that capability exists in the operator to operate and maintain the facility efficiently and effectively. Financial strength and prior related experience by the operator shall be evaluated. Where little or no experience can be demonstrated, the qualifications of management, including production or engineering staff, as applicable, shall be of prime significance.

(d)  The Department shall make a finding that IDF financing for a project shall not cause or result in the abandonment of an existing similar industrial facility of the proposed operator or an affiliate elsewhere in the State unless the facility is to be abandoned because of obsolescence, lack of available labor, or site limitations. The Department shall consider an abandonment statement as prima facie proof of lack of abandonment.

(e)  For Emergency Economic Development projects, the Department shall make a finding that:

(1)           the economic emergency exists, or is imminent and;

(2)           the project shall, or shall tend to, alleviate the especially severe economic emergency caused by the described economic dislocation.

(f)  For Utility Account projects, the Department shall make a finding that the proposed funding will create new jobs or reasonably be expected to lead to the creation of new jobs in the industries currently eligible for Utility Account financing assistance as specified in G.S. 143B-437.01(b1).

(g)  For Clean Water Bonds projects, the Department shall make a finding that the proposed project will have a favorable impact on the Clean Water Objectives of the State.

(h)  The Department shall use the definitions of terms found in Rule .0102 of this Subchapter to make these findings.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 143B-437.01;

Temporary Rule Eff. November 16, 1987 For a Period of 180 Days to Expire on May 15, 1988;

Eff. May 1, 1988;

Temporary Amendment Eff. January 11, 1999;

Codifier determined that agency findings did not meet criteria for temporary rule;

Temporary Amendment Eff. October 6, 1999;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2000;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. September 6, 2016.