(a) A job incentive account is hereby created within the General Fund. There shall be deposited in said account all moneys received by or appropriated to the Department of Economic and Community Development from time to time therefor. In order to stimulate and encourage the creation and growth of jobs in areas of high unemployment, the state, acting by the Department of Economic and Community Development, may provide job incentive grants to eligible businesses, whose new or expanded facilities are located in an eligible municipality having high unemployment and which facility results in the creation of not less than five full-time jobs, as provided in sections 32-9i to 32-9l, inclusive.

(b) Amounts in the job incentive account shall be used for the purpose of making such grants to businesses which are eligible for such assistance, and which make application for and receive approval for such assistance from the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development.