2006 New York Code - State Aid For Farmers\' Markets.

 
    § 262. State  aid  for  farmers'  markets.  1. There is hereby created
  within the department a program of grants for the purpose  of  providing
  state  assistance  for  the  construction,  reconstruction, improvement,
  expansion  or  rehabilitation  of  farmers'  markets.  Grants   provided
  pursuant to this article shall not exceed the lesser of fifty percent of
  project  cost  or fifty thousand dollars per project in any fiscal year.
  In administering such program, the commissioner, to the extent feasible,
  shall ensure an equitable distribution of  awards  to  rural  areas  and
  other areas of the state.
    2.  Any  municipal  corporation,  regional  market  authority,  public
  benefit  corporation,   not-for-profit   corporation   or   agricultural
  cooperative  organized pursuant to the cooperative corporations law, may
  submit  an  application  for  state  assistance  for  the  construction,
  reconstruction,  improvement,  expansion or rehabilitation of a farmers'
  market under their  control  including  assistance  for  engineering  or
  architectural designs for new or reconstructed facilities.
    3.  The  commissioner  may  approve or disapprove any application made
  pursuant to this section,  and  shall  consider  the  following  in  his
  decision:
    a.  the relative impact of the proposed farmers' market project on the
  economy of the area to be served;
    b. the anticipated level of municipal and local participation  in  the
  project;
    c.  the  extent  to  which New York farmers would benefit, through the
  direct sale of farm and food products;
    d. the  geographic  distribution  of  monies  appropriated  for  state
  assistance for farmers' markets; and
    e.  the  anticipated  quantity of non-farm jobs which would be created
  and retained due to the proposed project.
    4. In administering the provisions of this section, the commissioner:
    a. may in the  name  of  the  state,  contract  to  make,  within  the
  limitations   of   appropriations   available   therefor,  state  grants
  representing the state share of the costs of projects approved and to be
  undertaken pursuant to this section;
    b. shall examine vouchers for the payment of assistance pursuant to an
  approved contract and shall  forward  approved  vouchers  to  the  state
  comptroller. All such payments shall be paid on the audit and warrant of
  the state comptroller; and
    c.  may  perform such other and further acts and promulgate such rules
  and regulations as may be necessary, proper or desirable  to  carry  out
  the provisions of this section.