As part of the contractual inducement for the qualified applicant to make a qualified investment and for the State to provide the credit pursuant to this chapter, the qualified applicant agrees when awarding contracts, purchasing supplies or subcontracting work related to a qualified investment or qualified ship to give, to the greatest extent possible, preference to Maine workers, companies and bidders provided the supplies, products and bids meet the standards required by the qualified applicant for best value, including, without limitation, quality and delivery, and are competitively priced. [PL 1997, c. 449, §1 (NEW).]

The qualified applicant further agrees in conjunction with the Department of Economic and Community Development to sponsor regional seminars for Maine businesses on how to do business with the qualified applicant. [PL 1997, c. 449, §1 (NEW).]