In addition to other programs and financing assistance established under this subchapter which may be available to natural resource enterprises, the authority shall establish a supplemental financing and technical assistance program designed specifically to meet the needs of entrants to natural resource enterprises. [PL 1985, c. 344, §36 (AMD).] 1. Criteria for participation. In addition to the applicable provisions of sections 987 and 988, persons seeking financing assistance under the entrants to natural resource enterprises programs shall be subject to the following. A. In the case of an applicant who is an individual, the entrant to natural resource enterprises must be a resident of the State and must have, together with the individual's spouse and dependent children, an aggregate net worth, as determined by the authority, of $100,000 or less when an application is made. In the case of an applicant that is a business organization, the entrant to natural resource enterprises must be organized under the laws of the State so that at least 51% of the controlling ownership is held by residents of the State, each of whom has, together with the resident's spouse and dependent children, an aggregate net worth, as determined by the authority, of $100,000 or less when an application is made. [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. C, §7 (COR).] B. The authority shall provide financing assistance in such amount as it determines is appropriate to reflect the cost of a reasonably-sized beginning enterprise. [PL 1985, c. 344, §36 (AMD).] C. The entrant has not previously received financing assistance under the program for the acquisition of property similar in nature to the property for which the financing assistance is sought, except that this restriction shall not apply if the amount previously received for an enterprise, plus the amount of the additional assistance sought for that enterprise, does not exceed the total determined by the authority pursuant to paragraph B. [PL 1985, c. 344, §36 (AMD).] D. The entrant agrees to engage in one or more natural resource enterprises and to participate in such marketing and training programs as the authority may require. [PL 1985, c. 344, §36 (AMD).] E. The entrant agrees to such other conditions as the authority may impose. [PL 1985, c. 344, §36 (AMD).] [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. C, §7 (COR).] 2. Financing assistance terms. In addition to the applicable provisions of sections 987 and 988, assistance provided pursuant to this section may involve special financing terms, including, but not limited to: A. For the acquisition of land and facilities, arrangements where the authority agrees to make payments and binding commitments and to continue these payments, if necessary, over the life of the mortgage on behalf of entrants to natural resource enterprises in order to reduce interest costs on market rate credit to the level the authority by rule determines conducive to achieving the purpose of this section, provided that the rate shall not be lower than 5%. Persons benefiting from these assistance payments may be required to pay a larger interest payment as their ability to pay increases. No commitment made by the authority under this paragraph may be construed to commit the faith and credit of the State; [PL 1985, c. 344, §36 (AMD).] B. Deferred payment schedules; [PL 1983, c. 519, §7 (NEW).] C. Loan insurance for loans that satisfy the following requirements: (1) The lender must be a seller of agricultural land and other eligible collateral: (a) Who is a natural person; or (b) That is a family farm corporation; (2) The borrower must be an entrant to natural resource enterprises; (3) The loan must be made for the purpose of financing all or part of the purchase price of agricultural land and other eligible collateral; and (4) The interest rate on the loan must be significantly less than the market interest rate, if required by the authority; and [PL 2003, c. 537, §19 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 537, §53 (AFF).] D. Other similar agreements to facilitate participation in the natural resource sector. [PL 1983, c. 519, §7 (NEW).] [PL 2003, c. 537, §19 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 537, §53 (AFF).]
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