(a) Any person may apply to the department for a determination as to whether the facility described in an application qualifies as a manufacturing facility or service facility. Applications for eligibility certificates are to be made on the forms and in the manner prescribed by the department. In evaluating each application the department may require the submission of all books, records, documents, drawings, specifications, certifications and other evidentiary items which it deems appropriate. No eligibility certificate shall be issued after March 1, 1991, for a manufacturing facility located in a distressed municipality which does not qualify as a targeted investment community unless the department has issued to the applicant a commitment letter for such facility prior to March 1, 1991. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, an eligibility certificate may be issued by the department after March 1, 1991, for a qualified manufacturing facility acquired, constructed or substantially renovated in a distressed municipality provided the commissioner determines that such acquisition, construction or substantial renovation was initiated prior to March 1, 1991, and was legitimately induced by the prospect of assistance under section 12-217e and subdivisions (59) and (60) of section 12-81, respectively. The department may issue an eligibility certificate for a qualified manufacturing facility or a qualified service facility located in a targeted investment community upon determination by the commissioner (A) that the acquisition, construction or substantial renovation relating to the qualified manufacturing facility or qualified service facility in such community was induced by the prospect of assistance under subdivisions (59) and (60) of section 12-81; and (B) the applicant demonstrates an economic need or there is an economic benefit to the state. The department shall issue an eligibility certificate for a qualified manufacturing facility located in an airport development zone established pursuant to section 32-75d, and may issue an eligibility certificate for a facility described in subparagraph (D) of subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of section 32-9p, upon determination by the department (i) that the acquisition, construction or substantial renovation relating to the qualified manufacturing facility or facility described in said subparagraph (D) in the airport development zone was induced by the prospect of assistance under subdivisions (59) and (60) of section 12-81; (ii) the applicant demonstrates an economic need and there is an economic benefit to the state without causing an economic detriment to or conflict with an existing zone; and (iii) that the applicant serves an airport-related function or relies substantially on airport services. The department shall issue an eligibility certificate if the commissioner determines (1) that the manufacturing facility is located in an enterprise zone designated pursuant to section 32-70 and is a qualified manufacturing facility, or (2) that the facility is a plant, building, other real property improvement, or part thereof, which is located in a municipality with an entertainment district designated under section 32-76 or established under section 2 of public act 93-311*, and which qualifies as a “manufacturing facility” under subsection (d) of section 32-9p in that it is to be used in the production of entertainment products, including multimedia products, or as part of the airing, display or provision of live entertainment for stage or broadcast, including support services such as set manufacturers, scenery makers, sound and video equipment providers and manufacturers, stage and screen writers, providers of capital for the entertainment industry and agents for talent, writers, producers and music properties and technological infrastructure support including, but not limited to, fiber optics, necessary to support multimedia and other entertainment formats, except entertainment provided by or shown at a gambling or gaming facility or a facility whose primary business is the sale or serving of alcoholic beverages.

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(b) The department shall reach a determination as to the eligibility of a facility within a reasonable time period, but may postpone the determination to the extent required to verify to its satisfaction that there is a high likelihood that any proposed facility will actually be constructed, expanded, substantially renovated or acquired. Prior to July 1, 2018, upon a favorable finding, the department shall issue to the applicant a certificate to the effect that the facility concerned is a manufacturing facility or a service facility and is eligible for assistance under section 12-217e and subdivisions (59) and (60) of section 12-81. On and after July 1, 2018, upon a favorable finding, the department shall issue to the applicant a certificate to the effect that the facility concerned is a manufacturing facility or a service facility and is eligible for assistance under subdivisions (59) and (60) of section 12-81.

(c) Except as specified in subsection (d) of this section, upon an unfavorable determination the department shall issue a notice to the applicant to the effect that the facility concerned has been determined not to be a manufacturing facility or a service facility, together with a statement in reasonable detail as to the reasons for the unfavorable determination. Any aggrieved applicant shall be afforded an opportunity for a public hearing on the matter within thirty days following issuance of the notice. The department shall reconsider the application based upon the information presented at the public hearing and reaffirm or change its earlier determination within ten days of the hearing.

(d) Upon an unfavorable determination regarding an application concerning an airport development zone, the department shall issue a notice to the applicant to the effect that the facility concerned has been determined not to be a manufacturing facility or a service facility, together with a statement in reasonable detail as to the reasons for the unfavorable determination. Any aggrieved applicant shall be afforded an opportunity for a public hearing on the matter within thirty days following issuance of the notice. The department shall reconsider the application based upon the information presented at the public hearing and reaffirm or change its earlier determination within ten days of the hearing.

(e) The decision of the department rendered pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) of this section to issue an eligibility certificate or to deny an application for the issuance of an eligibility certificate either upon the expiration of thirty days without a public hearing following an initial unfavorable determination or upon any reconsideration of the application pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) of this section is conclusive and final as to the matters thereby decided, and chapter 54 shall not apply to the administrative determinations authorized to be made by this section.

(f) Any person who claims a benefit under section 12-217e or subdivisions (59) and (60) of section 12-81 shall notify the department of any change in fact or circumstance which may bear upon the continued qualification as a manufacturing facility or a service facility for which an eligibility certificate has been issued. Upon receipt of such information or upon independent investigation, the department may revoke the eligibility certificate in the manner provided in subsection (c) of this section.

(g) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to carry out the provisions of this section. Such regulations shall provide that establishments in the category of business support services, as defined in subsection (b) of section 32-222, or manufacturing facilities, as defined in subsection (d) of section 32-9p, may be eligible for a certificate if they are located in an enterprise zone.