§ 669c. Determination of eligibility for grant

The Secretary shall determine within 60 days of filing the application whether the applicant is eligible for a grant under this chapter. An applicant may be eligible for a grant if the Secretary determines, in his or her sole discretion, that:

(1) the applicant will only serve businesses located in the applicant's region;

(2) the applicant demonstrates an ability and willingness to provide marketing, technical assistance, promotional activity, and information services in furtherance of the purposes of this subchapter;

(3) the applicant demonstrates an ability to gather information useful in evaluating the performance of the applicant in achieving the purposes of this subchapter;

(4) the applicant has letters of support from a significant number of travel and tourism businesses located in the applicant's region;

(5) the applicant demonstrates a capability and willingness to assist each and every travel and tourism business located within the applicant's region;

(6) the applicant appears to be the best qualified applicant to carry out the purposes of this subchapter in the applicant's region;

(7) the grant is needed for the reasonable and necessary expenses of the association, including the employment of professional staff, as demonstrated in the proposed operating budget of the association;

(8) the applicant has adequate federal and private funds resources, as demonstrated in the proposed operating budget of the association, which together with the grant will enable the applicant to fulfill the purposes of this subchapter;

(9) the applicant presents a memorandum of understanding signed by the applicant and any regional development corporation operating in the same region demonstrating that the association and the corporation will cooperate with each other and coordinate each other's common or related activities. (Added 1995, No. 46, § 38.)