Maryland Housing and Community Development Section 6-305

      With the concurrence of the Secretary, a political subdivision may approve a designated neighborhood after considering:

            (1)      the availability, cost, and condition of business facilities;

            (2)      the age and number of abandoned structures;

            (3)      the age and number of substandard structures;

            (4)      the income of residents relative to State or regional median incomes, including the number of welfare recipients;

            (5)      the extent of unemployment and the availability of jobs for residents;

            (6)      the need for financing for small businesses, nonprofit organizations, or microenterprises to upgrade social and economic conditions;

            (7)      the development or redevelopment strategy of the political subdivision for the area and any plans, or financial commitment to undertake improvements there; and

            (8)      other standards that the Department considers relevant as set forth in regulations, including standards established for other State or federal programs.