


                               SUBCHAPTER E
                                 PROGRAMS
     Sec.
     1551.  Business in Our Sites Program.
     1552.  First Industries Program.
     1553.  Second Stage Loan Program.
     1554.  New Pennsylvania Venture Guarantee Program.
     1555.  Building Pennsylvania Program.
     1556.  Tax Increment Financing Guarantee Program.
     1557.  New Pennsylvania Venture Capital Investment Program.
     1558.  Water Supply and Wastewater Infrastructure Program.

        Cross References.  Subchapter E is referred to in sections
     1504, 1512, 1513, 1521, 1542, 1543, 1544 of this title.
     § 1551.  Business in Our Sites Program.
        (a)  Establishment.--There is established a program to be
     known as the Business in Our Sites Program. The program shall
     provide financial assistance for the preparation of sites
     located within this Commonwealth for future development.
        (b)  Applications for planning grants.--A municipality,
     municipal authority, redevelopment authority or industrial
     development agency may submit an application to the authority
     requesting a planning grant for costs associated with
     predevelopment activities and feasibility studies for a project.
     The application shall be on the form required by the board and
     shall include or demonstrate all of the following:
            (1)  The applicant's name and address.
            (2)  The location of the project.
            (3)  A statement that the project is consistent with any
        existing comprehensive county plan where the project is
        located.
            (4)  A description of the project which includes a
        statement that:
                (i)  the project is for the redevelopment, reuse or
            revitalization of previously developed land, including
            previously mined areas; or
                (ii)  the project is for the development of
            undeveloped land which may be the subject of future
            development pursuant to any existing comprehensive
            municipal plan.
            (5)  An estimate of the cost of the predevelopment
        activities and feasibility studies.
            (6)  A statement of the amount of the planning grant
        sought.
            (7)  Any other information required by the board.
        (c)  Review and approval of planning grant applications.--
            (1)  The board shall review the application. Upon being
        satisfied that all requirements have been met, the board may
        approve the application and, if approved, the authority shall
        award a planning grant.
            (2)  Copies of all reports and studies prepared with
        planning grant funds shall be filed with the authority and
        shall be made available to any person upon request.
        (d)  Applications for project financing.--A municipality,
     municipal authority, redevelopment authority or industrial
     development agency may submit an application to the authority
     requesting a loan or a combination of a loan and project grant
     for a project. A private developer may submit an application to
     the board requesting a loan for a project. The application shall
     be on the form required by the board and shall include or
     demonstrate all of the following:
            (1)  The applicant's name and address.
            (2)  The location of the project.
            (3)  A statement that the project is consistent with any
        existing comprehensive county plan where the project is
        located.
            (4)  A description of the project which includes a
        statement that:
                (i)  the project is for the redevelopment, reuse or
            revitalization of previously developed land, including
            previously mined areas; or
                (ii)  the project is for the development of
            undeveloped land which may be the subject of future
            development pursuant to any existing comprehensive
            municipal plan and is zoned for such development at the
            time of application.
            (5)  An estimate of the cost of the project, prepared by
        an engineer or other qualified professional.
            (6)  A statement of the amount of the loan or combined
        loan and project grant sought. If the applicant is requesting
        a project grant, a statement as to the financial necessity
        for the project grant must be included.
            (7)  Proof that notification of the project has been sent
        to the governing bodies of the county or counties and of the
        municipality or municipalities in which the project is
        located.
            (8)  Any other information required by the board.
        (e)  Review of project financing applications.--The board
     shall review the application to determine all of the following:
            (1)  That the project is consistent with any existing
        comprehensive county plan where the project is located.
            (2)  That the project is the redevelopment, reuse or
        revitalization of previously developed land, including
        previously mined areas, or that the project is the
        development of undeveloped land which may be the subject of
        future development pursuant to any existing comprehensive
        municipal plan and is zoned for such development at the time
        of application.
            (3)  That the value of the proposed collateral and the
        financial resources offered by the applicant are sufficient
        to repay the loan.
            (4)  That there is a substantial likelihood the land or
        buildings will be used upon project completion.
            (5)  That the project will enable future employment
        opportunities in or have a net positive economic impact on
        the surrounding community.
            (6)  That the statement of the estimated cost of the
        project is reasonable.
            (7)  That the applicant complied with all other criteria
        established by the board.
        (f)  Approval of project financing applications.--Upon being
     satisfied that all requirements have been met, the board may
     approve the application, and, if approved, the authority shall
     award a loan or a combination of a loan and project grant to be
     used for costs of the project. A combined loan and project grant
     may be awarded only if the board finds that the value of the
     proposed collateral and the financial resources offered by the
     applicant are not sufficient to repay a loan in the amount of
     the total project cost.
        (g)  Limitations.--
            (1)  A planning grant awarded for a project under section
        (c) shall not exceed $250,000. No more than $10,000,000 of
        the funds made available for the program authorized by this
        section may be used for planning grants.
            (2)  A project grant awarded under subsection (f) shall
        not exceed 50% of the total amount of financing awarded by
        the board for the project or $5,000,000, whichever is less.
        No more than one-third of the funds made available for the
        program authorized by this section may be used for all
        project grants.
            (3)  No more than 15% of the funds made available for the
        program authorized by this section may be awarded for
        projects located within any one city, town, borough or
        township of this Commonwealth.
            (4)  The anticipated use of the land or buildings may not
        be primarily residential or primarily recreational.
            (5)  A project grant may be used only for one or more of
        the following purposes:
                (i)  Environmental assessment and remediation.
                (ii)  Site preparation, including earth moving
            activities.
                (iii)  Demolition of structures.
                (iv)  Installation or rehabilitation of
            infrastructure.
                (v)  Reimbursement of engineering and administrative
            expenses associated with any of the activities listed in
            subparagraphs (i) through (iv).

        Cross References.  Section 1551 is referred to in sections
     1542, 1543 of this title.
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Last modified: November 27, 2007