A business may apply to the commissioner for certification as a qualified Pine Tree Development Zone business. Upon review and determination by the commissioner that a business is a qualified Pine Tree Development Zone business, the commissioner shall issue a letter of certification to the business that includes a description of the qualified business activity for which the letter is being issued. Prior to issuing a letter of certification, the commissioner must find that the business activity will not result in a substantial detriment to existing businesses in the State. In order to make this determination, the commissioner shall consider those factors the commissioner determines necessary to measure and evaluate the effect of the proposed business activity on existing businesses, including whether any adverse economic effect of the proposed business activity on existing businesses is outweighed by the contribution to the economic well-being of the State. The commissioner shall provide a copy of the letter of certification to the State Tax Assessor. [PL 2019, c. 343, Pt. IIII, §8 (AMD).]

The commissioner shall issue a certificate of qualification to a qualified Pine Tree Development Zone business after the commissioner has verified that the business has added at least one qualified Pine Tree Development Zone employee above its base level of employment. This verification may be obtained in such manner as the commissioner may prescribe. The commissioner shall provide a copy of the certificate of qualification to the State Tax Assessor. [PL 2017, c. 440, §4 (NEW).]