(a) Eligibility

A company shall be eligible to apply to participate, as a rural business investment company, in the program established under this subchapter if—

(1) the company is a newly formed for-profit entity or a newly formed for-profit subsidiary of such an entity;

(2) the company has a management team with experience in community development financing or relevant venture capital financing; and

(3) the company will invest in enterprises that will create wealth and job opportunities in rural areas, with an emphasis on smaller enterprises.

(b) Application

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To participate, as a rural business investment company, in the program established under this subchapter, a company meeting the eligibility requirements of subsection (a) shall submit an application to the Secretary that includes—

(1) a business plan describing how the company intends to make successful developmental capital investments in identified rural areas;

(2) information regarding the community development finance or relevant venture capital qualifications and general reputation of the management of the company;

(3) a description of how the company intends to work with community-based organizations and local entities (including local economic development companies, local lenders, and local investors) and to seek to address the unmet equity capital needs of the communities served;

(4) a proposal describing how the company intends to use the grant funds provided under this subchapter to provide operational assistance to smaller enterprises financed by the company, including information regarding whether the company intends to use licensed professionals, as necessary, on the staff of the company or from an outside entity;

(5) with respect to binding commitments to be made to the company under this subchapter, an estimate of the ratio of cash to in-kind contributions;

(6) a description of the criteria to be used to evaluate whether and to what extent the company meets the purposes of the program established under this subchapter;

(7) information regarding the management and financial strength of any parent firm, affiliated firm, or any other firm essential to the success of the business plan of the company; and

(8) such other information as the Secretary may require.

(c) Status

Not later than 90 days after the initial receipt by the Secretary of an application under this section, the Secretary shall provide to the applicant a written report describing the status of the application and any requirements remaining for completion of the application.

(d) Matters considered

In reviewing and processing any application under this section, the Secretary—

(1) shall determine whether—

(A) the applicant meets the requirements of subsection (e); and

(B) the management of the applicant is qualified and has the knowledge, experience, and capability necessary to comply with this subchapter;

(2) shall take into consideration—

(A) the need for and availability of financing for rural business concerns in the geographic area in which the applicant is to commence business;

(B) the general business reputation of the owners and management of the applicant; and

(C) the probability of successful operations of the applicant, including adequate profitability and financial soundness; and

(3) shall not take into consideration any projected shortage or unavailability of grant funds or leverage.

(e) Approval; license

(1) In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary may approve an applicant to operate as a rural business investment company under this subchapter and license the applicant as a rural business investment company, if—

(A) the Secretary determines that the application satisfies the requirements of subsection (b);

(B) the area in which the rural business investment company is to conduct its operations, and establishment of branch offices or agencies (if authorized by the articles), are approved by the Secretary; and

(C) the applicant enters into a participation agreement with the Secretary.

(2) Capital requirements

(A) In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, the Secretary may approve an applicant to operate as a rural business investment company under this subchapter and designate the applicant as a rural business investment company, if the Secretary determines that the applicant—

(i) has private capital of more than $2,500,000;

(ii) would otherwise be approved under this subchapter, except that the applicant does not satisfy the requirements of section 2009cc-8(c) of this title; and

(iii) has a viable business plan that—

(I) reasonably projects profitable operations; and

(II) has a reasonable timetable for achieving a level of private capital that satisfies the requirements of section 2009cc-8(c) of this title.

(B) Leverage

An applicant approved under subparagraph (A) shall not be eligible to receive leverage under this subchapter until the applicant satisfies the requirements of section 2009cc-8(c) of this title.

(C) Grants

An applicant approved under subparagraph (A) shall be eligible for grants under section 2009cc-7 of this title in proportion to the private capital of the applicant, as determined by the Secretary.