Virginia Law

Article 7. Virginia Small Business Financing Authority.

A. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Virginia Small Business Financing Act."

B. As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Business enterprise" means any (i) industry for the manufacturing, processing, assembling, storing, warehousing, servicing, distributing, or selling of any products of agriculture, mining, or industry or professional services; (ii) commercial enterprise making sales or providing services to industries described in clause (i); (iii) enterprise for research and development, including scientific laboratories; (iv) not-for-profit entity operating in the Commonwealth; (v) entity acquiring, constructing, improving, maintaining, or operating a qualified transportation facility under the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995 (§ 33.2-1800 et seq.); (vi) entity acquiring, constructing, improving, maintaining, or operating a qualified energy project; (vii) entity acquiring, constructing, improving, maintaining, or operating a qualified pollution control project; (viii) entity that modernizes public school buildings or facilities pursuant to Article 3 (§ 22.1-141.1 et seq.) of Chapter 9 of Title 22.1; or (ix) other business as will be in furtherance of the public purposes of this article.

"Cost," as applied to the eligible business, means the cost of construction; the cost of acquisition of all lands, structures, rights-of-way, franchises, easements, and other property rights and interests; the cost of demolishing, removing, rehabilitating, or relocating any buildings or structures on lands acquired, including the cost of acquiring any such lands to which such buildings or structures may be moved, rehabilitated, or relocated; the cost of all labor, materials, machinery and equipment, financing charges, letter of credit or other credit enhancement fees, insurance premiums, interest on all bonds prior to and during construction or acquisition and, if deemed advisable by the Authority, for a period not exceeding one year after completion of such construction or acquisition, cost of engineering, financial and legal services, plans, specifications, studies, surveys, estimates of cost and of revenues, commissions, guaranty fees, other expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicality of constructing, financing, or operating a project of an eligible business; administrative expenses, provisions for working capital, reserves for interest and for extensions, enlargements, additions, improvements and replacements, and such other expenses as may be necessary or incidental to the construction or acquisition of a project of an eligible business or the financing of such construction, acquisition, or expansion and the placing of a project of an eligible business in operation. Any obligation or expense incurred by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof, with the approval of the Authority for studies, surveys, borings, preparation of plans and specifications, or other work or materials in connection with the construction or acquisition of a project of an eligible business may be regarded as a part of the cost of a project of an eligible business and may be reimbursed to the Commonwealth or any agency thereof out of the proceeds of the bonds issued therefor.

"Eligible business" means any person engaged in one or more business enterprises in the Commonwealth that satisfies one or more of the following requirements: (i) is a for-profit enterprise that (a) has received $10 million or less in annual gross income under generally accepted accounting principles for each of its last three fiscal years or lesser time period if it has been in existence less than three years, (b) has fewer than 250 employees, (c) has a net worth of $2 million or less, (d) exists for the sole purpose of developing or operating a qualified transportation facility under the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995 (§ 33.2-1800 et seq.), (e) exists for the primary purpose of developing or operating a qualified energy project, (f) is required by state or federal law to develop or operate a qualified pollution control project, or (g) meets such other satisfactory requirements as the Board shall determine from time to time if it finds and determines such person is in need of its assistance or (ii) is a not-for-profit entity granted tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and operating in the Commonwealth.

"Federal Act" means the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, 15 U.S.C. § 661 et seq., as amended from time to time.

"Indenture" means any trust agreement, deed of trust, mortgage, or other security agreement under which bonds authorized pursuant to this article shall be issued or secured.

"Internal Revenue Code" means the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

"Lender" means any federal- or state-chartered bank, federal land bank, production credit association, bank for cooperatives, federal- or state-chartered savings institution, building and loan association, small business investment company, or any other financial institution qualified within the Commonwealth to originate and service loans, including insurance companies, credit unions, investment banking or brokerage companies, and mortgage loan companies.

"Loan" means any lease, loan agreement, or sales contract defined as follows:

1. "Lease" means any lease containing an option to purchase the project or projects of the eligible business being financed for a nominal sum upon payment in full, or provision thereof, of all bonds issued in connection with the eligible business and all interest thereon and principal of and premium, if any, thereon and all other expenses in connection therewith.

2. "Loan agreement" means an agreement providing for a loan of proceeds from the sale and issuance of bonds by the Authority or by a lender with which the Authority has contracted to loan such proceeds to one or more contracting parties to be used to pay the cost of one or more projects of an eligible business and providing for the repayment of such loan including all interest thereon, and principal of and premium, if any, thereon and all other expenses in connection therewith, by such contracting party or parties and which may provide for such loans to be secured or evidenced by one or more notes, debentures, bonds, or other secured or unsecured debt obligations of such contracting party or parties, delivered to the Authority or to a trustee under an indenture pursuant to which the bonds were issued.

3. "Sales contract" means a contract providing for the sale of one or more projects of an eligible business to one or more contracting parties and includes a contract providing for payment of the purchase price including all interest thereon, and principal of and premium, if any, thereon and all other expenses in connection therewith, in one or more installments. If the sales contract permits title to a project being sold to an eligible business to pass to such contracting party or parties prior to payment in full of the entire purchase price, it also shall provide for such contracting party or parties to deliver to the Authority or to the trustee under the indenture pursuant to which the bonds were issued, one or more notes, debentures, bonds, or other secured or unsecured debt obligations of such contracting party or parties providing for timely payments of the purchase price thereof.

"Municipality" means any county or incorporated city or town in the Commonwealth.

"Preferred lender" means a bank that is subject to continuing supervision and examination by state or federal chartering, licensing, or similar regulatory authority satisfactory to the Authority and that meets the eligibility requirements established by the Authority.

"Qualified energy project" means a solar-powered or wind-powered electricity generation facility located in the Commonwealth on premises owned or leased by an eligible customer-generator, as defined in § 56-594, the electricity generated from which is sold exclusively to the eligible customer-generator under a power purchase agreement used to provide third party financing of the costs of such a renewable generation facility (third party power purchase agreement) pursuant to a pilot program established under Chapter 382 of the Acts of Assembly of 2013.

"Qualified pollution control project" means environmental pollution control and prevention equipment certified by the business enterprise or eligible business as being needed to comply with the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.), the federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.), or the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.).

"Revenues" means any and all fees, rates, rentals, profits, and receipts collected by, payable to, or otherwise derived by, the Authority, and all other moneys and income of whatsoever kind or character collected by, payable to, or otherwise derived by, the Authority in connection with loans to any eligible business in furtherance of the purposes of this article.

"Statewide Development Company" means the corporation chartered under this article for purposes of qualification as a state development company as such term is defined in the Federal Act.

1984, c. 749, §§ 9-197, 9-199; 1996, c. 77; 2001, c. 844; 2003, c. 339; 2008, c. 744; 2009, c. 565; 2014, c. 732; 2019, cc. 818, 819.

A. The General Assembly finds and determines that (i) there exists in the Commonwealth a need to assist small and other eligible businesses in the Commonwealth in obtaining financing for new business or in the expansion of existing business in order to promote and develop industrial development and to further the long-term economic development of the Commonwealth through the improvement of its tax base and the promotion of employment and (ii) it is necessary to create a governmental body to provide financial assistance to small and other eligible businesses in the Commonwealth by providing loans, guarantees, insurance and other assistance to small and other eligible businesses, thereby encouraging the investment of private capital in small and other eligible businesses in the Commonwealth. The creation of this governmental body to assist in such matters is essential to the industrial development of the Commonwealth. In making these determinations, the General Assembly has considered and affirmatively expresses its policy to assist small and other eligible businesses in Virginia, acknowledging that this determination has and will affect competition.

It is further declared that all of the foregoing are public purposes and that the activities of the Authority will serve a public purpose in that they will promote industry, develop trade and increase employment opportunities for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Commonwealth, either through the increase of commerce or through the promotion of safety, health, welfare, convenience or prosperity; and that the necessity of enacting the provisions herein set forth is in the public interest and is so declared as a matter of express legislative determination.

B. The Virginia Small Business Financing Authority is created, with such powers and duties as are set forth in this article, as a public body corporate and as a political subdivision of the Commonwealth. All powers, rights and duties conferred by this article or other provisions of law upon the Authority shall be exercised by the Board.

1984, c. 749, § 9-201; 2001, c. 844; 2009, c. 565.

Nothing contained in this article shall be construed as a restriction or limitation upon any powers that the Authority might otherwise have under any other law of the Commonwealth, and this article supersedes all other laws in conflict herewith and is cumulative to such powers. Insofar as the provisions of this article are inconsistent with the provisions of any other law, the provisions of this article shall be controlling and the powers conferred by this article shall be regarded as supplemental and additional to powers conferred by any other laws. No proceedings, notice or approval shall be required for the issuance of any bonds or any instrument or the security therefor, except as provided in this article.

The provisions of this article shall be liberally construed to accomplish the purposes of this article.

1984, c. 749, § 9-200; 2001, c. 844.

A. The Board shall consist of the State Treasurer or his designee, the Director of the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, and nine members who are not employees of the Commonwealth or of any political subdivision thereof who shall be appointed by the Governor, who shall have such small business experience as he deems necessary or desirable and at least five of whom shall have experience in small business lending. The appointment of members of the Board by the Governor shall be subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. All members of the Board shall be residents of the Commonwealth and shall have full voting privileges. Appointments shall be for terms of four years, except that appointments to fill vacancies shall be made for the unexpired terms. No member appointed by the Governor shall serve more than two complete terms in succession. The members of the Board shall receive no salaries but shall be paid travel and other expenses incurred to attend meetings or while otherwise engaged in the discharge of their duties, all as may be deemed appropriate by the Board.

B. The Governor shall appoint one member as chairman for a two-year term. No member shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms as chairman. Five members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business of the Authority. The Board shall elect one member from the group of nine members appointed by the Governor as vice-chairman who shall exercise the powers of the chairman in the absence of the chairman. The Board shall elect a secretary and a treasurer, or a secretary-treasurer, who need not be members of the Board and who shall continue to hold such office until their respective successors are elected. The Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity of the Commonwealth shall serve as staff to the Authority.

1984, c. 749, § 9-202; 1987, c. 688; 1991, c. 190; 1996, cc. 589, 599; 2001, c. 844; 2004, c. 239; 2011, cc. 691, 714; 2013, c. 482; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 11.

Board meetings shall be held at the call of the chairman or whenever any four members so request. In any event, the Board shall meet as necessary to attend to the business of the Authority.

1984, c. 749, § 9-203; 1990, c. 387; 2001, c. 844.

The Director of the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity shall appoint the Executive Director of the Authority. The Executive Director shall administer, manage and direct the affairs and activities of the Authority in accordance with the policies and under the control and the direction of the Board and the Director of the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity. Except as otherwise stated in this article, the Executive Director shall approve all accounts for allowable expenses for the Authority or of any employee or consultant or other person providing services to the Board, and for expenses incidental to the operation of the Authority subject to approval of the Director of the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity. The Executive Director shall maintain and be custodian of all books, documents and papers of or filed with the Authority, including but not limited to the minute book or journal of the Authority, and of its official seal. The Executive Director may cause copies to be made of all minutes and other records and documents of the Authority and may in the place and stead of the Secretary of the Authority give certificates under seal of the Authority to the effect that such copies are true copies, and all persons dealing with the Authority may rely on such certificates. The Executive Director also shall perform such other duties as prescribed by the Board in carrying out the purposes of this article.

1984, c. 749, § 9-204; 1990, c. 387; 1996, cc. 589, 599; 2001, c. 844; 2013, c. 482.

The Authority is granted all powers necessary or appropriate to carry out and effectuate its purposes including, but not limited to, the following powers to:

1. Have perpetual existence as a public body corporate and as a political subdivision of the Commonwealth;

2. Adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws, rules and regulations not inconsistent with this article, to regulate its affairs and to carry into effect the powers and the purposes of the Authority and for the conduct of its business;

3. Sue and be sued in its name including but not limited to bringing actions pursuant to Article 6 (§ 15.2-2650 et seq.) of Chapter 26 of Title 15.2 to determine the validity of any issuance or proposed issuance of its bonds under this article and the legality and validity of all proceedings previously taken or proposed in a resolution of the Authority to be taken for the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of such bonds and for the payment of the principal thereof and interest thereon;

4. Have an official seal and alter it at will;

5. Maintain an office at such place within the Commonwealth as it may designate;

6. Make and execute contracts and all other instruments necessary and convenient for the performance of its duties and the exercise of its powers under this article upon such terms and conditions it deems appropriate;

7. Employ office personnel, advisers, consultants, professionals and agents as may be necessary in its judgment, and to fix their compensation;

8. Procure insurance against any loss in connection with its property and other assets, including but not limited to loans in such amounts and from such insurers as it deems advisable;

9. Borrow money and issue bonds as provided by this article;

10. Procure insurance or guarantees from any public or private entities, including any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, or, subject to the provisions of and to the extent moneys are available in the fund created by § 2.2-2290, insure or guarantee the payment of any bonds issued by the Authority, including the power to pay premiums on any such insurance or guarantees or other instruments of indebtedness;

11. Receive and accept from any source aid or contributions of money, property, labor or other things of value to be held, used and applied to carry out the purposes of this article (subject, however, to any conditions upon which grants or contributions are made) including, but not limited to gifts or grants from any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States;

12. Enter into agreements with any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States or of the Commonwealth and with lenders and enter into loans with contracting parties for the purpose of planning, regulating and providing for the financing or assisting in the financing of any eligible business or any project thereof;

13. Enter into contracts or agreements with lenders for the servicing and/or processing of loans;

14. Provide technical assistance to local industrial development authorities and to profit and nonprofit entities in the development or operation by, or assistance to, persons engaged in small business enterprises and distribute data and information concerning the encouragement and improvement of small business enterprises in the Commonwealth;

15. To the extent permitted in the proceedings pursuant to which the bonds of the Authority are issued, consent to any modification with respect to the rate of interest, time for, and payment of, any installment of principal or interest, or any other term of any contract, loan, sales contract, lease, indenture or agreement of any kind to which the Authority is a party;

16. To the extent permitted in the proceedings pursuant to which the bonds of the Authority are issued, enter into contracts with any lender containing provisions authorizing the lender to reduce the charges or fees, exclusive of loan payments, to persons unable to pay the regular schedule thereof when, by reason of other income or payment by any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States or the Commonwealth, the reduction can be made without jeopardizing the economic stability of the eligible business being financed;

17. Allocate any of its property to the insurance or guarantee fund established by § 2.2-2290 or to any other fund of the Authority, such property consisting of:

a. Moneys appropriated by the Commonwealth;

b. Premiums, fees and any other amounts received by the Authority with respect to financial assistance provided by the Authority;

c. Proceeds as designated by the Authority from the loan or other disposition of property held or acquired by the Authority;

d. Income from investments that were made by the Authority or on the behalf of the Authority from moneys in one or more of its funds; or

e. Any other moneys made available to the Authority consistent with this article;

18. Use any fund of the Authority for any and all expenses to be paid by the Authority including, but not limited to: (i) any and all expenses for administrative, legal, actuarial, and other services; (ii) all costs, charges, fees and expenses of the Authority relating to the authorizing, preparing, printing, selling, issuing, and insuring of bonds and the funding of reserves; and (iii) all expenses and costs relating to the guaranteeing, insuring or procurement of guarantees, insurance or other instruments providing credit or the enhancement of credit for the bonds;

19. Collect fees and charges the Authority determines to be reasonable in connection with its loans, insurance, guarantees, commitments and servicing thereof;

20. Sell, at public or private sale, with or without public bidding, any obligation held by the Authority;

21. Invest any funds not needed for immediate disbursement, including any funds held in reserve, in any obligations or securities that may be legally purchased by political subdivisions in the Commonwealth or as may be otherwise permitted by § 2.2-2305;

22. Administer the Private Activity Bonds program in Chapter 50 (§ 15.2-5000 et seq.) of Title 15.2 jointly with the Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Virginia Housing Development Authority;

23. Create and establish such funds and accounts as may be necessary or desirable for its purposes;

24. Enter into agreements the purpose of which is to authorize lenders that have been designated as preferred lenders to undertake loan decisioning and processing functions and responsibilities with respect to certain Authority guaranteed loans without obtaining prior Authority approval. Under such agreements, the Authority will provide each preferred lender credit authority equal to an amount determined by the Authority, or an amount equal to the funds available for such guarantees, whichever is less, for the period designated in the allocation. The preferred lender's allocation of credit authority shall be increased only by written permission of the Authority and shall not be restored automatically by the receipt of payments on Authority loans; and

25. Take any action necessary or convenient for the exercise of the powers granted by this article or reasonably implied from them.

1984, c. 749, §§ 9-205, 9-228; 1995, c. 128; 2001, c. 844; 2003, c. 339; 2005, c. 624; 2008, cc. 445, 744.

The Authority may condemn property in furtherance of its purposes; provided, that any such condemnation shall be approved by the governing body of the municipality having jurisdiction over the property so condemned. Any property condemned by the Authority shall not be sold or leased by the Authority unless the Authority, preceding the consummation of any such sale or lease, finds and determines that such sale or lease is in furtherance of, or incidental to, the main purposes of the Authority under this article or that such property is no longer needed in furtherance of, or incidental to, such purposes. Any exercise of the power to condemn as authorized by this section shall be in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 2 (§ 25.1-200 et seq.) of Title 25.1.

1984, c. 749, § 9-206; 2001, c. 844; 2003, c. 940.

The Authority may borrow money and issue bonds to pay the cost of the projects for which the bonds have been issued, including but not limited to the power to issue bonds to renew or to pay bonds, including the interest thereon. Whenever it deems refunding expedient it may refund any bonds by the issuance of new bonds, whether the bonds to be refunded have or have not matured, and to issue bonds partly to refund outstanding bonds. Refunding bonds may be sold and the proceeds applied to the purchase, redemption or payment of the bonds to be refunded, or exchanged for the bonds to be refunded. The Authority may undertake the financing of the cost of a project for an eligible business from the proceeds of its bonds by one or more of the following methods: (i) entering into a lease for the facilities of the eligible business being financed; (ii) selling such facilities to the eligible business under a sales contract; (iii) lending the proceeds of the sale of the bonds under a loan agreement with the eligible business; (iv) entering into a loans to lenders transaction in the manner described in § 2.2-2293; or (v) entering into such other transactions as the Board deems appropriate to accomplish the purposes of this article.

1984, c. 749, § 9-207; 2001, c. 844; 2003, c. 339.

In addition to and not as a limitation upon the powers to issue bonds as elsewhere expressed in this article, the Authority may, with proceeds of an issue of its bonds, participate with lenders in making or purchasing small business loans, not exceeding as to any one such loan one million dollars in principal amount, to be serviced by such lenders, provided that:

1. The Authority's share shall not exceed ninety percent of the total principal amount of any such loan, and such participation shall be payable with interest at the same times, but not necessarily at the same interest rate, as the share of the lender, and both shares shall be equally and ratably secured by a valid mortgage on, or security interest in, real or personal property or by any other security satisfactory to the Authority to secure payment of the loan; however, the Authority's share of any such loan may equal 100 percent of the total principal amount of the small business loan if the lender participating in the making or purchasing of such small business loan by servicing the loan, purchases 100 percent of the total amount of the bonds issued by the Authority in connection with or allocable to such small business loan;

2. The total principal amount of the Authority's share shall not exceed ninety percent of the value of the property securing the small business loan, unless the amount in excess of ninety percent is:

a. Loaned from available funds that are not proceeds received directly from the sale of the Authority's bonds and are not restricted under the terms of the resolution authorizing, or the indenture securing such bonds, or

b. Insured or guaranteed by a federal agency or by a private insurer qualified to write such insurance in the Commonwealth, insuring a percentage of any claim for loss at least equal to that percentage of the value by which the small business loan exceeds ninety percent thereof;

3. The value of the property securing the small business loan is certified by the participating lender, on the basis of such appraisals, bids, purchase orders, and engineers' certificates as the Authority may require; provided that the value of items purchased and constructed from the proceeds of the small business loan shall not be deemed, for purposes of this section, to exceed the contract price in respect of purchase or construction;

4. The Authority shall not disburse funds under a commitment to participate in a small business loan for the construction or substantial improvement of property until the construction or improvement has been completed, unless a lender furnishes an irrevocable letter of credit or a qualified corporate surety furnishes payment and performance bonds, in either event satisfactory to the Authority and in an aggregate amount equal to the cost of such construction or improvement;

5. No other indebtedness may be secured by a mortgage on, or security interest in, property securing a small business loan made or purchased pursuant to this subdivision without the prior express written authorization of the Authority; and

6. The participating lender agrees to use the proceeds of the small business loan to lend to eligible small businesses in the Commonwealth.

1984, c. 749, § 9-209; 2001, c. 844.

In addition to the powers of the Authority to issue bonds, it may issue bonds, the proceeds of which, after payment of the costs of issuance thereof, shall be used to make loans, no single loan to be in excess of ten million dollars in aggregate principal amount, to finance or refinance the projects of eligible businesses. The Authority shall adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this section and to provide procedures for the making of such loans and the repayment thereof.

1984, c. 749, § 9-210; 1986, c. 297; 2001, c. 844; 2009, c. 565.

There is created an insurance or guarantee fund of the Authority that may be used for any of the following purposes:

1. To insure the payment or repayment of all or any part of the principal of, redemption or prepayment premiums or penalties on, and interest on its bonds;

2. To insure the payment or repayment of all or any part of the principal of, redemption or prepayment premiums or penalties on, and interest on any instrument executed, obtained or delivered in connection with the issuance and sale of its bonds; and

3. To pay or insure the payment of any fees or premiums necessary to obtain insurance, guarantees, or other instruments or enhancement of credit for or support from any person in connection with financing assistance provided by the Authority under this article including but not limited to working capital loans made by a lender, a preferred lender, or both.

1984, c. 749, § 9-211; 2001, c. 844; 2008, c. 744.

A. The bonds or instruments with respect to which financial assistance is provided by the Authority shall be secured or unsecured in a manner approved by the Board in its sole discretion.

B. The Board may set the premiums and fees to be paid to it for providing financial assistance under this article. The premiums and fees and expenses set by the Board shall be payable in the amounts, at the time and in the manner that the Board, in its discretion, requires. The premiums and fees need not be uniform among transactions and may vary in amount among transactions and at different stages during the terms of the transactions.

C. No portion of the proceeds of an issue of the Authority's bonds that are exempt under federal taxation as qualified bonds under Section 141(e) of the Internal Revenue Code shall be used to provide facilities prohibited in Section 147(e) of the Internal Revenue Code.

1984, c. 749, §§ 9-212, 9-213, 9-215; 2001, c. 844; 2009, c. 565.

Whenever federal law requires public hearings and public approval as a prerequisite to obtaining federal tax exemption for the interest paid on private activity bonds under § 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, unless otherwise specified by federal law or regulation, the public hearing for private activity bonds of the Authority shall be conducted by the Authority and the procedure for the public hearing and public approvals shall be as follows:

1. For a public hearing by the Authority:

a. Notice of the hearing shall be published not less than seven days in advance of such hearing in a newspaper published or having general circulation in the locality in which the facility to be financed is to be located. The applicant shall pay the cost of notification. The notice shall specify the time and place of hearing at which persons may appear and present their views. The hearing shall be held not less than seven days after the notice has been published. The hearing may be held at any place within the Commonwealth determined by the Board.

b. The notice shall contain (i) the name and address of the Authority; (ii) the name and address of the principal place of business, if any, of the applicant seeking financing; (iii) the maximum dollar amount of financing sought; and (iv) the type of business and purpose and specific location, if known, of the facility to be financed.

c. The Authority may require any request for private activity bond financing when submitted to the Authority to be accompanied by a statement in the following form, but the absence of any such form shall not affect the validity of a private activity bond:

Name of Applicant: _______________________

Facility: ______________________

Date: ______

Maximum amount of financing sought: ____$

Estimated taxable value of the facility's real property in the municipality in which it is located. ____$

Estimated taxable value of the facility's real property once constructed or expanded. ____$

Estimated real property tax per year using present tax rates on the facility's real property once constructed or expanded.____$

Estimated personal property tax per year from property to be located in expanded or constructed facility using present tax rate. ____$

Estimated merchants' capital tax per year from property to be located in expanded or constructed facility using present tax rate. ____$

Estimated dollar value per year of goods and services that will be purchased in the Commonwealth during construction or expansion of facility. ____$

Estimated dollar value per year of goods and services that will be purchased in the Commonwealth for the operation of the facility. ____$

Estimated dollar value per year of goods and services that will be produced and sold from the facility. ____$

Estimated number of employees during construction or expansion __

Estimated number of regular employees on a year round basis during operation of the facility __

Average annual salary per regular employee during operation of the facility. ____$

Estimated payroll for labor during construction or expansion of the facility.____$

If any of the above questions do not apply to the eligible business being financed, indicate by writing N/A (not applicable) on the appropriate line.

2. For public approval, the Governor is appointed by this article as the applicable elected representative within the meaning of § 147(f)(2)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code.

1984, c. 749, § 9-216; 2001, c. 844; 2003, c. 339; 2009, c. 565; 2023, c. 130.

The Authority may make, and undertake commitments to make, loans to lenders under terms and conditions requiring the proceeds thereof to be used by the lenders to make loans to eligible small businesses. Loan commitments or actual loans may be originated through and serviced by any such lender. As a condition to a lender's participating in the loan, the lender shall agree to use the proceeds of the loan within a reasonable period of time to make loans or purchase loans to provide to eligible small businesses, or finance the projects of eligible small businesses, in the Commonwealth or, if the lender has made a commitment to make loans to eligible small businesses on the basis of a commitment from the Authority to purchase the loans, the lender shall make the loans within a reasonable period of time.

1984, c. 749, § 9-217; 2001, c. 844.

The Authority may invest in, purchase or make commitments to invest in or purchase, and take assignments or make commitments to take assignments, of loans made by lenders for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, expansion or purchase of a project for eligible business.

1984, c. 749, § 9-218; 2001, c. 844; 2003, c. 339.

Prior to carrying out the powers granted under §§ 2.2-2293 and 2.2-2294, the Authority shall adopt rules and regulations governing its activities including but not limited to rules and regulations relating to the following:

1. Procedures for the submission of requests or invitations and proposals for making loans to lenders and the investment in, purchase, assignment and sale of loans;

2. The reinvestment by a lender of the proceeds, or an equivalent amount, from any loan to a lender in loans to provide financing for eligible business in the Commonwealth;

3. Assurances that the eligible business to be financed will improve employment conditions or otherwise improve industrial development in the Commonwealth;

4. Rates, fees, charges, and other terms and conditions for originating or servicing loans in order to protect against realization of an excessive financial return or benefit by the originator or servicer;

5. The type and amount of collateral or security to be provided to assure repayment of loans to lenders made by the Authority;

6. The type of collateral, payment bonds, performance bonds or other security to be provided for any loans made by a lender for construction loans;

7. The nature and amount of fees to be charged by the Authority to provide for expenses and reserves of the Authority;

8. Standards and requirements for the allocation of available money among lenders and the determination of the maturities, terms, conditions and interest rates for loans made, purchased, sold, assigned or committed pursuant hereto;

9. Commitment requirements for financing by lenders involving money provided, directly or indirectly, by the Authority; or

10. Any other appropriate matters related to the duties or exercise of the Authority's powers.

1984, c. 749, § 9-219; 2001, c. 844; 2003, c. 339.

Except as may otherwise be expressly provided by the Authority in proceedings relating to a particular issue of bonds, every issue of its bonds shall be payable solely out of any revenues of the Authority. The bonds additionally may be secured by a pledge of any grant, contribution or guarantee from the federal government or any person or a pledge by the Authority of any revenues from any source.

1984, c. 749, § 9-220; 2001, c. 844.

No bonds issued or loans or loan guarantees made by the Authority under this article shall constitute a debt, liability or general obligation of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof (other than the Authority), or a pledge of the faith and credit of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof (other than the Authority), but shall be payable solely as provided by the Authority. No member or officer of the Board nor any person executing the bonds, loans, or loan guarantees shall be liable personally on the bonds, loans, or loan guarantees by reason of the issuance thereof. Each bond issued or loan or loan guarantee made under this article shall contain on the face thereof a statement that neither the Commonwealth, nor any other political subdivision thereof, shall be obligated to pay the same or the interest thereon or other costs incident thereto except from the revenue or money pledged by the Authority and that neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof is pledged to the payment of the principal of, or the interest on, such bond, loan, or loan guarantee.

1984, c. 749, § 9-221; 1997, c. 815; 2001, c. 844.

The bonds shall be authorized by a resolution of the Board, shall bear such date or dates, and shall mature at such time as such resolution may provide, except that no bond shall mature more than fifty years from the date of issue. The bonds shall (i) bear interest at such rates, including variations of such rates; (ii) be in such denominations; (iii) be in such form; (iv) carry such registration privileges; (v) be executed in such manner; (vi) be payable in such medium of payment, at such place; and (vii) be subject to such terms of redemption, including redemption prior to maturity, as the resolution may provide. Except as expressly provided otherwise in this article, the provisions of other laws of the Commonwealth relating to the issuance of revenue bonds shall not apply to bonds issued by the Authority. Bonds of the Authority may be sold by the Authority at public or private sale and at such price as the Authority determines.

1984, c. 749, § 9-222; 2001, c. 844.

Any resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds may contain provisions for:

1. Pledging all or any part of the revenues of the Authority to secure the payment of the bonds, subject to the terms of the proceedings relating to other bonds of the Authority as may then exist;

2. Pledging all or any part of the assets of the Authority, including loans and obligations securing the same, to secure the payment of the bonds, subject to the terms of the proceedings relating to other bonds of the Authority as may then exist;

3. The use and disposition of the gross income from loans owned by the Authority and payment of the principal of loans owned by the Authority;

4. The setting aside of reserves or sinking funds and the regulations and disposition thereof;

5. Limitations on the purposes to which the proceeds from the sale of bonds may be applied and pledging the proceeds to secure the payment of the bonds;

6. Limitations on the issuance of additional bonds, the terms upon which additional bonds may be issued and secured, and the refunding of outstanding or other bonds;

7. The procedure, if any, by which the terms of any of the proceedings under which the bonds are being issued may be amended or abrogated, the number or percentage of bondholders who or which must consent thereto, and the manner in which the consent may be given;

8. The vesting in a trustee of such property, rights, powers and duties in trust as the Authority may determine, and limiting or abrogating the right of bondholders to appoint a trustee or limiting the rights, powers and duties of the trustee;

9. Defining the act or omissions to act that shall constitute a default and the obligations or duties of the Authority to the holders of the bonds, and providing for the rights and remedies of the holders of the bonds in the event of default, which rights and remedies may include the general laws of the Commonwealth and other provisions of this article; or

10. Any other matter, of like or different character, which in any way affects the security or protection of the holders of the bonds.

1984, c. 749, § 9-223; 2001, c. 844.

Any pledge made by the Authority shall be valid and binding from the time when the pledge was made. The revenues or properties so pledged and thereafter received by the Authority shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract or otherwise against the Authority, irrespective of whether the parties have notice thereof. Neither the resolution nor any other instrument by which a pledge is created need be recorded.

1984, c. 749, § 9-224; 2001, c. 844.

The Authority, subject to the provisions in proceedings relating to outstanding bonds as may then exist, may purchase bonds out of any funds available therefor, which shall thereupon be cancelled, at any reasonable price which, if the bonds are then redeemable, shall not exceed the redemption price (and premium, if any) then applicable plus accrued interest to the redemption date thereof.

1984, c. 749, § 9-225; 2001, c. 844.

The bonds may be secured by an indenture by and between the Authority and a corporate trustee that may be any bank or other corporation having the power of a trust company or any trust company within or without the Commonwealth. The indenture may contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders as may be reasonable and proper and not in violation of law, including covenants setting forth the duties of the Authority in relation to the exercise of its powers and the custody, safekeeping and application of all money. The Authority may provide by the indenture for the payment of the proceeds of the bonds and revenues to the trustee under the indenture or other depository, and for the method of disbursement thereof, with such safeguards and restrictions as the Authority may determine. If the bonds are secured by an indenture, the bondholders shall have no authority to appoint a separate trustee to represent them.

1984, c. 749, § 9-226; 2001, c. 844.

In the event that any of the members or officers of the Board cease to be members or officers of the Board prior to the delivery of any bonds signed by them, their signatures or facsimiles thereof shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes as if they had remained in office until such delivery.

1984, c. 749, § 9-227; 2001, c. 844.

All money of the Authority, except as otherwise authorized in this article, shall be deposited as soon as practicable in a separate account in banks or trust companies organized under the laws of the Commonwealth or in national banking associations doing business in the Commonwealth. The money in such accounts shall be paid by checks signed by the Executive Director or other officer or employees of the Authority as the Authority shall authorize. All deposits of money shall, if required by the Authority, be secured in such manner as the Authority determines to be prudent, and all banks or trust companies are authorized to give security for the deposits.

1984, c. 749, § 9-229; 2001, c. 844.

Notwithstanding the provisions of § 2.2-2304, the Authority may contract with the holders of any of its bonds as to the custody, collection, securing, investment and payment of any money of the Authority and of any money held in trust or otherwise for the payment of bonds, and to carry out such contract. Money held in trust or otherwise for the payment of bonds or in any way to secure bonds and deposits of money may be secured in the same manner as money of the Authority, and all banks and trust companies are authorized to give security for the deposits.

1984, c. 749, § 9-230; 2001, c. 844.

Subsequent amendments to this article shall not limit the rights vested in the Authority with respect to any agreements made with, or remedies available to, the holders of bonds issued under this article prior to the enactment of the amendments until the bonds, together with all interest thereon, and all costs and expenses in connection with any proceeding by or on behalf of the holders, are fully met and discharged.

1984, c. 749, § 9-231; 2001, c. 844.

The bonds issued by the Authority in accordance with this article shall be legal investments in which all public officers or public bodies of the Commonwealth, its political subdivisions, all municipalities and municipal subdivisions, all insurance companies and associations and other persons carrying on insurance business, all banks, bankers, banking associations, trust companies, savings institutions, building and loan associations, and investment companies, all administrators, guardians, executors, trustees and other fiduciaries, and all other persons who are now or may later be authorized to invest in bonds or in other obligations of the Commonwealth, may invest funds, including capital, in their control or belonging to them. The bonds shall also be securities that may be deposited with and received by all public officers and bodies of the Commonwealth or any agency or political subdivision of the Commonwealth and all municipalities and public corporations for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or other obligations of the Commonwealth is now or may be later authorized by law.

1984, c. 749, § 9-234; 1996, c. 77; 2001, c. 844.

All expenses incurred by the Authority in carrying out the provisions of this article shall be payable solely from funds provided under this article, and nothing in this article shall be construed to authorize the Authority to incur indebtedness or liability on behalf of or payable by the Commonwealth or any of its other political subdivisions.

1984, c. 749, § 9-232; 2001, c. 844.

A. In addition to any other fund or account the Authority may create pursuant to subdivision 23 of § 2.2-2285, there shall be a permanent fund known as the Virginia Export Fund (the Fund). The Fund shall be comprised of (i) sums appropriated to it by the General Assembly, (ii) receipts by the Fund from loans or loan guarantees made against it, (iii) all income from the investment of moneys held by the Fund, and (iv) any other sums designated for deposit to the Fund from any source, public or private. The Fund shall be administered and managed by the Authority, and all moneys in the Fund shall be used to provide loans or loan guarantees as provided in subsection D. Any balances remaining in the Fund shall not revert to the general fund but shall be retained in order to make additional loans or loan guarantees.

B. All moneys belonging to the Fund shall be deposited to the credit of the State Treasurer and recorded on the books of the State Comptroller. Earnings from investments and interest shall be returned to the Fund.

C. The Authority, or its designated agent, may collect moneys due to the Fund. Proceedings to recover moneys due to the Fund may be instituted by the Authority in the name of the Fund in any appropriate court.

D. The Fund shall be used to make loans or to provide a guarantee for up to ninety percent of the principal amount of any commercial loan or line of credit made by a lender for the purpose of facilitating the sale of goods, products, or services outside of the United States by persons, firms, or corporations utilizing a Virginia air, land, or sea port to ship such goods, products, or services. Such guarantee shall not exceed one million dollars.

E. The Authority shall determine the terms and conditions of any loans or loan guarantee made against the Fund and may allow for use of the Fund in single or multiple transactions. No loan shall exceed a term of twelve months, nor shall a loan guarantee exceed a term of eighteen months. In the case of loans, the Authority shall charge an annual interest rate. In the case of guarantees, the Authority shall charge an annual guarantee fee. However, the Authority may waive such guarantee fees in an economically distressed area as defined in § 58.1-439. In connection with applications for loans or loan guarantees made against the Fund, the Authority may require the production of any document, instrument, certificate, legal opinion, or other information it deems necessary or convenient.

F. All loans or loan guarantees made against the Fund shall be approved by the Board or an authorized committee or subcommittee thereof.

1997, c. 815, §§ 9-228.1, 9-228.2, 9-228.3, 9-228.4; 1999, c. 785; 2001, c. 844.

A. In addition to any other fund or account the Authority may create pursuant to subdivision 23 of § 2.2-2285, there shall be a permanent fund known as the Virginia Small Business Growth Fund (the "Fund"). The Fund shall be comprised of (i) sums appropriated to it by the General Assembly, (ii) all income from the investment of moneys held by the Fund, and (iii) any other sums designated for deposit to the Fund from any source, public or private. The Fund shall be administered and managed by the Authority, and all moneys in the Fund shall be used to create special reserve funds to cover potential future losses from the loan portfolios of participating banks and lending institutions as provided in subsection D. Any remaining balances in the Fund shall not revert to the general fund but shall be retained in order to create additional special reserve funds.

B. All moneys belonging to the Fund shall be deposited to the credit of the State Treasurer and recorded on the books of the State Comptroller. Earnings from investments and interest shall be returned to the Fund.

C. The Authority, or its designated agent, may collect moneys owed to the Fund. Proceedings to recover moneys owed to the Fund may be instituted by the Authority in the name of the Fund in any appropriate court.

D. The Fund shall be used as a special reserve fund to cover potential future losses from the loan portfolios of participating banks and lending institutions. The Authority shall (i) work with banks and lending institutions to establish a separate account for the Virginia Small Business Growth Fund in each participating bank or lending institution and (ii) deposit into such accounts moneys from the Fund in an amount at least equal to the total of the sum of the bank or lending institution's and the individual borrower's deposits into such account. Such matching sum by the Authority shall not exceed fourteen percent of the principal amount of the loan.

E. The Authority shall determine the qualifications, terms, and conditions for the use of the Fund and the accounts thereof. In connection with applications for claims made against the Fund, the Authority may require the production of any document, instrument, certificate, legal opinion, or any other information it deems necessary or convenient. All claims made against the Fund shall be approved by the Board or an authorized committee or subcommittee thereof. All claims made against each account shall be reported to the Board or an authorized committee thereof.

1997, c. 870, §§ 9-228.5, 9-228.6, 9-228.7, 9-228.8; 2000, c. 40; 2001, c. 844.

Repealed by Acts 2015, cc. 696 and 697, cl. 2.

A. For the purposes of this section:

"Eligible small business" means any person engaged in a for-profit business enterprise in the Commonwealth and such enterprise has (i) $10 million or less in annual gross income under generally accepted accounting principles for up to each of its last three fiscal years or lesser time period if it has been in existence less than three years, (ii) fewer than 250 employees, or (iii) a net worth of $1 million or less, or such business enterprise meets such other satisfactory requirements as the Board shall determine from time to time upon a finding that such business enterprise is in need of assistance.

"Fund" means the Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned Business Loan Fund.

"Minority-owned business" means a for-profit small business concern that is majority-owned by one or more individuals of an ethnic or racial minority. In the case of a corporation, a majority of the stock shall be owned by one or more such individuals and the management and daily business operations shall be controlled by one or more of the individuals of an ethnic or racial minority who own it.

"Women-owned business" means a for-profit small business concern that is majority-owned by one or more women. In the case of a corporation, a majority of the stock shall be owned by one or more women and the management and daily business operations shall be controlled by one or more of the women who own it.

B. There is created a permanent revolving loan fund to be known as the Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned Business Loan Fund. The Fund shall be comprised of (i) moneys appropriated to the Fund by the General Assembly, (ii) moneys collected by the Authority as a result of loan repayments, (iii) all income from the investment of moneys held by the Fund, and (iv) any other moneys designated for deposit to the Fund from any source, public or private. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used to provide direct loans to eligible small, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses. The Fund shall be managed and administered by the Authority with guidance from the Director of the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity.

C. The Authority, or its designated agents, shall determine the qualifications, terms, and conditions for the use of the Fund and the accounts thereof.

2015, cc. 696, 697; 2016, c. 519.

The Authority shall, within 120 days of the close of each fiscal year, submit an annual report of its activities for the preceding fiscal year to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations. Each report shall set forth, for the preceding fiscal year, a complete operating and financial statement for the Authority and any loan fund or loan guarantee fund the Authority administers or manages. The report shall also include information regarding the percentage of loan and grant program funds that were utilized or awarded by the Authority during such year. The Auditor of Public Accounts or his legally authorized representatives shall audit the books and accounts of the Authority and any loan fund or loan guarantee fund the Authority administers or manages as determined necessary by the Auditor of Public Accounts.

1984, c. 749, § 9-235; 1997, c. 815; 2001, c. 844; 2018, cc. 57, 307; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 148.

The Authority shall conduct a risk-based review of all outstanding loans at least annually and report the results of such review to the Board.

2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 147.

The Authority is declared to be performing a public function and to be a public body corporate and a political subdivision of the Commonwealth. Accordingly, the income, including any profit made on the sale thereof from all bonds issued by the Authority, shall at all times be exempt from all taxation by the Commonwealth or any public subdivision thereof. If, after all indebtedness and other obligations of the Authority are discharged, the Authority is dissolved, its remaining assets shall inure to the benefit of the Commonwealth.

1984, c. 749, § 9-233; 2001, c. 844.

The provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) shall not apply to this article.

1984, c. 749, § 9-208; 2001, c. 844.