In administering the provisions of this article the respective commissioner or the secretary of state:

1. shall make an itemized estimate of funds or appropriations requested annually for inclusion in the executive budget;

2. shall, in the name of the state, as further provided within this article, contract to make, within the limitations of appropriations available therefor, state assistance payments toward the cost of a project approved, and to be undertaken pursuant to this article;

3. shall approve vouchers for the payments pursuant to an approved contract; and

4. may perform such other and further acts as may be necessary, proper or desirable to carry out the provisions of this article.

5. Shall give a priority and preference to a project in any brownfield opportunity area designated pursuant to section nine hundred seventy-r of the general municipal law.