Section 159-M. Designation and redesignation of eligible entities in unserved areas

1. Qualified  organization  in  or  near  area.  (a)  In
  general.  If  any  geographic area of the state is not, or ceases to be,
  served by an eligible entity under this article,  and  if  the  governor
  decides  to serve such area, the governor may solicit applications from,
  and designate as an eligible entity
    (1) a private nonprofit organization (which may  include  an  eligible
  entity)  that  is  geographically  located in the unserved area, that is
  capable of providing a broad range of  services  designed  to  eliminate
  poverty  and foster self-sufficiency, and that meets the requirements of
  this article; and
    (2) a private nonprofit eligible entity that is geographically located
  in an area contiguous to or within reasonable proximity of the  unserved
  area  and  that  is  already  providing related services in the unserved
  area.
    (b) Requirement. In order to serve as  the  eligible  entity  for  the
  area,  an  entity described in subparagraph two of paragraph (a) of this
  subdivision shall agree to add additional members to the  board  of  the
  entity to ensure adequate representation
    (1)  in  each  of the three required categories described in paragraph
  (a) of subdivision two of  section  one  hundred  fifty-nine-e  of  this
  article,  by  members  that  reside  in  the  community comprised by the
  unserved area; and
    (2) in the category described in subparagraph two of paragraph (a)  of
  subdivision  two of section one hundred fifty-nine-e of this article, by
  members that reside in the neighborhood to be served.
    2. Special consideration. In  designating  an  eligible  entity  under
  subdivision   one   of  this  section,  the  governor  shall  grant  the
  designation to an organization of demonstrated effectiveness in  meeting
  the  goals  and  purposes  of  this  article  and  may give priority, in
  granting the  designation,  to  eligible  entities  that  are  providing
  related  services  in  the  unserved  area,  consistent  with  the needs
  identified by a community-needs assessment.
    3. No qualified organization in or near area. If no private, nonprofit
  organization  is  identified  or  determined  to  be   qualified   under
  subdivision  one  of  this  section  to  serve  the  unserved area as an
  eligible entity the governor  may  designate  an  appropriate  political
  subdivision of the state to serve as an eligible entity for the area. In
  order  to  serve  as  the  eligible  entity for that area, the political
  subdivision shall have a tripartite board or other mechanism as required
  in section one hundred fifty-nine-e of this article.
    * NB Expires September 30, 2010