(a) the demonstrated need for State assistance;

(b) the number and types of employees to be affected, including the potential for increased productivity and wages;

(c) the economic development benefits of the project, including but not limited to whether the assistance to be provided will support the creation or preservation of jobs;

(d) the employer's contribution to the actual cost of training;

(e) the potential for entry-level opportunities resulting from promotions created by skills upgrading;

(f) the willingness of assisted businesses to fill entry-level vacancies resulting from skills upgrading with job-ready clients referred from programs conducted under the Job Training Partnership Act or the Job Service Division of the Department of Labor;

(g) whether the proposed training meets the human resource needs identified by the applicant;

(h) whether the assisted business is located in a distressed area, especially in an economic development zone;

(i) the degree to which requested assistance will be matched by financing or other types of contributions from other sources which would equal or exceed the assistance sought from the Economic Development Skills Training Program;

(j) whether the proposed assistance will aid a small business or businesses, or a minority- or a women-owned business enterprise or enterprises;

(k) whether the proposed assistance will either aid targeted individuals, or be used to provide skills upgrading for currently employed individuals which will result in the creation of new jobs which will be filled by targeted individuals;

(l) the extent to which the proposed training project is consistent with the annual statewide economic development strategic plan; and

(m) such other criteria as the commissioner deems appropriate.