5. a. The authority shall use the moneys from the program to provide loans to applicants determined to be qualified by the authority to participate in the program, in accordance with the criteria set forth in this section, and in accordance with the authority’s underwriting criteria. The authority shall give priority consideration to those project applicants that have leveraged resources pursuant to paragraph (5) of subsection b. of this section, provided that the authority determines that the project is fiscally prudent and meets the authority’s underwriting criteria. Moneys received in repayment of loans shall be deposited in the program. The maximum amount of each loan from the program that is provided to each qualified applicant shall be determined in accordance with criteria to be adopted by the authority pursuant to section 10 of this act.

b. In determining the criteria for qualifying applicants for loans, the authority shall consider:

(1) the need to provide assistance for retaining and attracting businesses and jobs;

(2) the level of potential job creation and the longevity of such jobs;

(3) the conduciveness of the economic environment for the establishment, expansion or relocation of businesses within the jurisdiction of the project;

(4) the geographic representation of all regions of the State, including both urban and rural municipalities; and

(5) the level of financial and other participation by local economic development agencies, county or municipal government entities, nonprofit or for-profit organizations and lending institutions.

c. The authority shall require applicants to contribute cash from other sources to leverage the amount of moneys received from the program. Contributions provided from other sources shall be in a ratio of at least $1 from other sources for each $2 from the program. These contributions may come from a public or private source other than the program.

d. Loans to stimulate the retention or attraction of businesses in accordance with this act shall be made by the authority pursuant to a loan agreement and may be amortization or term loans, bear interest at less than the market rate, be renewable, be callable, and contain other terms and conditions considered appropriate by the authority that are consistent with the purposes of this act and with rules and regulations adopted by the authority to implement the program.

e. The authority may require, as a condition of receiving a loan under the program, that a business which an applicant seeks to retain or attract shall continue operating at a location in New Jersey for at least 1.5 times the number of years of the term of the loan.

L.1998,c.94,s.5.