(1) Unemployment Rate (10 points maximum). Based on data from the California Employment Development Department, the average unemployment rate for the preceding calendar year of the county sub-area in which the Small-Issue Industrial Development Bond Project is located will be divided by the statewide unemployment rate for the preceding calendar year and multiplied by one-hundred (100). The following points will be awarded accordingly:

(2) Project Area Poverty Rate (5 points maximum). Based on the most recent data from the United States Bureau of the Census, the estimated poverty rate of each federal census tract within a 1-mile radius area of the Project site, including the tract in which the Project is located will be averaged, divided by the statewide poverty rate and multiplied by one-hundred (100). The following points will be awarded accordingly:

(3) Median Family Income (5 points maximum). Points will be awarded for a Project located in an area with a median family income of less than eighty percent (80%) of the statewide average based on the most recent census data available for cities or Census Designated Places. If no city or Census Designated Place level data is available, or if the Applicant chooses to identify a Project benefit area that is smaller than a city or Census Designated Place, such as census tract or tracts, smaller areas may be used.

(4) If a Project is located in an area for which there is no available economic data, the Small Issue Industrial Development Bond Issuer may submit alternate information to establish the Project's consistency with the intent of the aforementioned point categories pursuant to subdivision (a) of this section. For example, a Small Issue Industrial Development Bond Issuer may submit unemployment and/or median family income data for a neighboring area that is a sub-area, a city, or a Census Designated Place that is in close proximity to the proposed Project. The Executive Director shall have the authority to determine whether the alternate information meets the intent of the point category for which such information has been submitted.

(1) Job Creation (35 points maximum). Applications will be eligible for Job Creation points when full-time new jobs have been created pursuant to the Job Retention definition provided in section 5350. Based on the Project Sponsor's representation that they will make their best efforts to increase the number of direct, full-time employees at the Project site within two (2) years of Project completion, points will be awarded as follows:

(2) Job Retention (10 points maximum). Applications will be eligible for Job Retention points when jobs have been retained pursuant to the Job Creation definition as provided in section 5000. To qualify for Job Retention points, the jobs retained must be those that would be lost in the absence of the requested Allocation. Points will be awarded provided the following:

(1) Welfare-to-Work (5 points maximum). Points will be awarded where the Project Sponsor proposes or is participating in a Welfare-to-Work Plan in conjunction with a local governmental agency, educational agency, or non-profit organization. Evidence may include a signed letter or documentation demonstrating a proposed plan has been acknowledged or that participation is occurring that includes, at minimum, the manner and extent of the participation.

(2) Workforce Training (5 points maximum). To qualify for points in this category, the Project Sponsor must provide copies of official documentation of its current or pending participation. Such documentation shall include copy of an executed contract between the Project Sponsor and the provider; or a formal letter from the provider addressed to the Project Sponsor acknowledging the Project Sponsor's current or pending participation in the program. Points will be awarded where the Project Sponsor participates in one or more training, retraining or apprenticeship programs offered by any of the following state agencies, certified training facilities or postsecondary institutions:

(3) Exports Outside of California (5 points maximum). To qualify for points in this category, an officer or owner of the Project Sponsor must certify in writing on Project Sponsor letterhead that it exports, or in the case of the construction of a new manufacturing facility at a new Project site, anticipates that it will export as part of its business plan as follows:

(1) Health, Dental and Vision (15 points maximum).

(2) Retirement Plans (5 points maximum). To qualify for points in this category, the Project Sponsor must provide specific documentation to show it contributes to a Qualified Retirement Plan or other retirement account for each participating employee and must confirm that it will offer such benefits to employees hired in accordance with the representations made pursuant to the Job Creation definition as provided in section 5000.

(1) Ten (10) points for a Project Wage that is one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) or more of the Job Wage.

(2) Six (6) points for a Project Wage that is one hundred fifteen percent (115%) or more but less than one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the Job Wage.

(3) Three (3) points for a Project Wage that is one hundred five percent (105%) or more but less than one hundred fifteen percent (115%) of the Job Wage.

(1) Land Use (3 points maximum). Points will be awarded to Projects that involve the reuse of the following:

(2) Public Transportation (4 points maximum).

(3) Energy Efficiency/ Renewable Energy (10 points maximum).

(4) Manufacturer of Certified Environmentally Preferable Products (5 points maximum). Points will be awarded to Projects which produce or will produce environmentally friendly products certified by an ANSI accredited standards developing organization (e.g., Green Seal, Inc.) or by a widely-recognized and reputable organization accredited as a certifier by an ANSI accredited standards developing organization or by a Forest Stewardship Council (e.g., Scientific Certification Systems, Inc.). The Project Sponsor must provide the current, official documentation of the certification and must provide the percentage of the overall output that is comprised of the certified products.

(5) U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED-Certified Manufacturing Facility (5 points maximum). Points will be awarded to Projects for which Bond proceeds will be used to construct U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED-certified facilities, or to make improvements to existing facilities that will qualify it for a LEED certificate. The Project Sponsor must provide either:

(1) Five (5) points for Projects where greater than twenty percent (20%) of total Project costs will be paid from Taxable Debt, a taxable loan, and/or private funds or equity.

(2) Three (3) points for Projects where greater than ten percent (10%) and up to twenty percent (20%) of total Project costs will be paid from Taxable Debt, a taxable loan, and/or private funds or equity.