; (iii) how the applicant plans to build their small business concern to employ local talent in entry-level and mid-level positions to ensure quality job growth; (iv) a vision for long-term growth in the area to be served by the small business concern; and (v) that the applicant does not, at the time of application, have the resources to start and grow a small business concern on their own without assistance. (6) Preference (A) In general The Committee shall give preference to applicants for a stipend under this subsection that are— (i) individuals moving to a distressed region to encourage new small business concern owners in those areas post-COVID–19; (ii) individuals who can demonstrate a connection to the State or locality in which the proposed small business concern will be located and are willing to relocate within 15 miles of the distressed region; (iii) owners of small business concerns whose businesses were closed or who had to significant change their business model or services due to the COVID–19 public health crisis; (iv) entrepreneurs within populations underrepresented among small business concern owners in the United States, including women and racial and ethnic minority groups; (v) veterans; (vi) individuals who can demonstrate residence of not less than 2 years in a low-income census tract; (vii) individuals who have taken non-traditional pathways for professional development, including individuals without a bachelor's degree or who received Federal Pell Grants under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a ), who shall not be required to establish a small business concern in a distressed region