§ 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.