§ 5-451

(a) In this part the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) “Applicant” means the eligible business applying for fixed asset financing assisted by a linked deposit.

(c) “Eligible business” means a for–profit business that:

(1) is located in a qualified distressed county;

(2) is in good standing with each State regulatory authority with jurisdiction over the business of the applicant, including the State Workers’ Compensation Commission, the Department of Assessments and Taxation, and the Maryland Department of Labor; and

(3) employs 500 or fewer employees.

(d) (1) “Fixed asset financing” means a commercial loan to finance:

(i) the acquisition or improvement of all or part of a building;

(ii) the acquisition or improvement of the land for the building if not already owned by the applicant; or

(iii) the acquisition or improvement of equipment.

(2) “Fixed asset financing” does not include refinancing an existing debt.

(e) “Lender” means a financial institution that:

(1) is eligible to make commercial loans;

(2) is a public depository of State funds;

(3) agrees to receive linked deposits under this part; and

(4) is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

(f) “Linked deposit” means a deposit that the Authority places with a lender that earns interest below the prevailing market rate for equivalent deposits made with the lender at the time of the deposit.

(g) “Program” means the Linked Deposit Program established under § 5–452 of this subtitle.