10.   An area defined by a continuous border within one qualifying municipality shall be eligible for designation as a zone if:
 
   a.   It has been designated an "area in need of rehabilitation" pursuant to Article VIII, Section I, paragraph 6 of the Constitution of the State of New Jersey; or is qualified for that designation in the judgment of the authority; and
 
   b.   It meets the criteria established by the authority pursuant to P.L.1983, c.303 (C.52:27H-60 et seq.) relating to the incidence of poverty, unemployment and general economic distress.
 
   L.1983, c.303, s.10; amended 1985, c.391, s.1; 1993, c.367, s.5; 2021, c.197, s.5.