A rural business growth fund, before investing in a business, may request a written opinion from the development services agency as to whether the business qualifies as a rural business concern based on the criteria prescribed by section 122.15 of the Revised Code. The request shall be submitted in a form prescribed by rule of the agency. The agency shall issue a written opinion to the fund within thirty business days of receiving such a request. Notwithstanding division (H) of section 122.15 of the Revised Code, if the agency determines that the business qualifies as a rural business concern or if the agency fails to timely issue the written opinion as required under this section, the business shall be considered a rural business concern for the purposes of sections 122.15 to 122.156 of the Revised Code.
Added by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, SB 8, §1, eff. 3/23/2018.