In order to qualify for assistance under this subchapter, the development company must demonstrate that the project to be funded is directed toward at least one of the following economic development objectives
(3) the achievement of one or more of the following public policy goals:
(A) business district revitalization,
(B) expansion of exports,
(C) expansion of minority business development or women-owned business development,
(D) rural development,
(E) expansion of small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans, as defined in section
632 (q) of this title, especially service-disabled veterans, as defined in such section
632 (q) of this title,
(F) enhanced economic competition, including the advancement of technology, plan retooling, conversion to robotics, or competition with imports,
(G) changes necessitated by Federal budget cutbacks, including defense related industries,
(H) business restructuring arising from Federally mandated standards or policies affecting the environment or the safety and health of employees,
(I) reduction of energy consumption by at least 10 percent,
(J) increased use of sustainable design, including designs that reduce the use of greenhouse gas emitting fossil fuels, or low-impact design to produce buildings that reduce the use of non-renewable resources and minimize environmental impact, or
(K) plant, equipment and process upgrades of renewable energy sources such as the small-scale production of energy for individual buildings or communities consumption, commonly known as micropower, or renewable fuels producers including biodiesel and ethanol producers. In subparagraphs (J) and (K), terms have the meanings given those terms under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard for green building certification, as determined by the Administrator.
If eligibility is based upon the criteria set forth in paragraph (2) or (3), the project need not meet the job creation or job preservation criteria developed by the Administration if the overall portfolio of the development company meets or exceeds such job creation or retention criteria.