(a) An application under the provisions of either the Public Works and Economic Development Act or the Small Business Investment Act may be made on behalf of the state by a department, board, commission or agency, after prior written approval of such application has been given by the Department of Economic and Community Development. Written request for such approval shall be made to the Department of Economic and Community Development and the department shall, within thirty days of receipt of such request, either approve or disapprove of either the entire application or a part thereof.

(b) An application under the provisions of either of the federal acts may be made on behalf of any municipality by its chief executive officer after prior written approval of such application has been given by the legislative body of such municipality. Written request for such approval shall be made by such chief executive officer and such legislative body shall, within thirty days after receipt of such request, either approve or disapprove of either the entire application or a part thereof. If such legislative body does not disapprove of all or any part of such application within thirty days from the receipt of such written request, it shall be deemed to have approved the application.

(c) Individual persons or small businesses or regional councils of governments or municipal economic development commissions or state or local development companies in this state may participate in any part of the program offered by the federal government under said acts. Any corporation may make application and participate in any programs established under said acts in the manner and to the extent authorized by vote of its board of directors.