CFR > Title 15 - Commerce and Foreign Trade > SUBTITLE B—Regulations Relating to Commerce and Foreign Trade > CHAPTER IV—FOREIGN-TRADE ZONES BOARD, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (parts 400 to 400) > PART 400—REGULATIONS OF THE FOREIGN-TRADE ZONES BOARD > SUBPART C—Establishment and Modification of Zone Projects (§400.21 to §400.29) > 400.22—Eligible applicants.

400.22—Eligible applicants.

(a) In general. Subject to the other provisions of this section, public or private corporations may apply for a grant of authority to establish a zone project. The board will give preference to public corporations.
(b) Public and non-profit corporations. The eligibility of public and non-profit corporations to apply for a grant of authority shall be supported by an enabling legislation of the legislature of the state in which the zone is to be located, indicating that the corporation, individually or as part of a class, is authorized to so apply.
(c) Private for-profit corporations. The eligibility of private for-profit corporations to apply for a grant of authority shall be supported by a special act of the state legislature naming the applicant corporation and by evidence indicating that the corporation is chartered for the purpose of establishing a zone.
(d) Applicants for subzones— (1) Eligibility. The following entities are eligible to apply for a grant of authority to establish a subzone:
(i) The zone grantee of the closest zone project in the same state;
(ii) The zone grantee of another zone in the same state, which is a public corporation, if the Board, or the Executive Secretary, finds that such sponsorship better serves the public interest; or
(iii) A state agency specifically authorized to submit such an application by an act of the state legislature.
(2) Complaints. If an application is submitted under paragraph (d)(1) (ii) or (iii) of this section, the Executive Secretary will:
(i) Notify, in writing, the grantee specified in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, who may, within 30 days, object to such sponsorship, in writing, with supporting information as to why the public interest would be better served by its acting as sponsor;
(ii) Review such objections prior to filing the application to determine whether the proposed sponsorship is in the public interest, taking into account:
(A) The complaining zone's structure and operation;
(B) The views of State and local public agencies; and
(C) The views of the proposed subzone operator;
(iii) Notify the applicant and complainants in writing of the Executive Secretary's determination;
(iv) If the Executive Secretary determines that the proposed sponsorship is in the public interest, file the application (see § 400.47 regarding appeals to decisions of the Executive Secretary).