[Federal Register: June 24, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 120)]
[Notices]
[Page 30046-30051]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24jn09-53]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economic Development Administration
[Docket No. 090528927-9927-01]
Solicitation of Applications for Economic Development Assistance
Programs
AGENCY: Economic Development Administration (EDA), Department of
Commerce
ACTION: Notice and request for applications.
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Pursuant to the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965,
as amended (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.) (PWEDA), EDA announces general
policies and application procedures for grant-based investments under
the Public Works, Planning, Local Technical Assistance, and Economic
Adjustment Assistance Programs to promote comprehensive,
entrepreneurial and innovation-based economic development efforts to
enhance the competitiveness of regions, resulting in increased private
investment and higher-skill, higher-wage jobs in areas experiencing
substantial and persistent economic distress.
[[Page 30047]]
DATES: Applications are accepted on a continuing basis and processed as
received. Generally, two months are required for EDA to reach a final
decision after receipt of a complete application that meets all
requirements. Applications received after the date of this notice will
be processed in accordance with the requirements set forth herein and
in the related federal funding opportunity (FFO) announcement, until
the next annual FFO is posted on www.grants.gov and related notice and
request for applications is published in the Federal Register.
Application Submission Requirements: The applicant is advised to
read carefully the instructions contained in both the complete FFO
announcement for this request for applications, and in the Application
for Investment Assistance (Form ED-900).
To apply for assistance under any of EDA's programs, an applicant
must submit a complete Form ED-900. EDA will continue to require
additional government-wide federal grant assistance forms from the
Standard Form (SF) 424 family and certain Department of Commerce (CD)
forms as part of the application package. The specific SF forms
required with the Form ED-900 depend on whether the applicant seeks
construction or non-construction assistance. The following will assist
applicants in determining which forms are required for a complete
application. Please see the section below entitled ``Obtaining
Application Packages'' for information.
Applicants seeking assistance for a project with construction
components are required to complete and submit the following:
(i) Form ED-900 (Application for Investment Assistance);
(ii) Form SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance);
(iii) Form SF-424C (Budget Information--Construction Programs);
(iv) Form SF-424D (Assurances--Construction Programs); and
(v) Form CD-511 (Certification Regarding Lobbying).
Applicants seeking assistance for a project without construction
components are required to complete and submit the following forms:
(i) Form ED-900 (Application for Investment Assistance);
(ii) Form SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance);
(iii) Form SF-424A (Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs);
(vi) Form SF-424B (Assurances--Non-Construction Programs); and
(v) Form CD-511 (Certification Regarding Lobbying).
Applicants for both construction and non-construction assistance
may be required to submit to an individual background screening on the
form titled Applicant for Funding Assistance (Form CD-346) and to
provide certain lobbying information using the form titled Disclosure
of Lobbying Activities (Form SF-LLL). The Form ED-900 provides detailed
guidance to help the applicant assess whether Forms CD-346 and SF-LLL
are required and how to access them.
Content and Form of the Form ED-900: The applicant is advised to
read carefully the instructions contained in this notice, the complete
FFO announcement, and all forms contained in the appropriate
application package. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to
ensure that the appropriate application package is complete and
received by EDA.
The Form ED-900 is divided into lettered sections that correspond
to specific EDA program components (e.g., Local or National Technical
Assistance; Construction Assistance), which address all of EDA's
statutory and regulatory requirements. Only the first section, Section
A, solicits general information regarding a proposed project and must
be completed by all applicants for any type of assistance. Section B
solicits specific economic data to help EDA assess an applicant's
regional eligibility for Public Works or Economic Adjustment
Assistance, and Section C solicits information to help EDA determine
the applicant's maximum allowable investment rate for Planning, Local
and National Technical Assistance, University Center, or Research and
Evaluation projects. Section D solicits documents from non-governmental
applicants relevant to organizational capacity and structure. The
remaining sections solicit information essential for EDA to assess
project effectiveness and competitiveness by program type, such as
project coordination with existing economic development strategies and
potential impact. Sections E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, and N solicit
such information from applicants for Non-Construction, Planning, Short-
Term Planning, State Planning, Local or National Technical, University
Center, Economic Adjustment, Revolving Loan Fund, Construction, and
Design and Engineering Assistance, respectively. The Form ED-900 also
contains a series of exhibits, which include EDA and Department of
Commerce assurances and the Calculation of Estimated Relocation and
Land Acquisition Expenses. The text of the Form ED-900 specifies which
exhibits are required for each type of applicant.
Please note that an applicant need not complete all sections of the
Form ED-900. As noted above, the sections an applicant must complete
are determined by the program under which funding is sought and the
nature of the applicant. Based on program type, the following table
details the sections and exhibits in the ED-900 that the applicant must
complete. This table also is provided on the first page of the
Instructions to the Form ED-900.
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EDA program Required form ED-900 sections
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Public Works........................... Complete Sections A, B, and M
and Exhibits A, D, and E.
Economic Adjustment.................... Complete Sections A, B, and K
and Exhibit C. Also complete
Sections M and Exhibits A, D,
and E if the application has
construction components and
Section N if the application
has only design/engineering
requirements. Complete Section
E if the application has no
construction components.
Partnership Planning................... Complete Sections A, C, E, and
F and Exhibit C.
Short-Term Planning.................... Complete Sections A, C, E, and
G and Exhibit C.
State Planning......................... Complete Sections A, C, E, G,
and H and Exhibit C.
University Center...................... Complete Sections A, C, E, and
J and Exhibit C.
Local Technical Assistance............. Complete Sections A, C, E, and
I and Exhibit C.
National Technical Assistance.......... Complete Sections A, C, E, and
I and Exhibit B.
Research and Evaluation Assistance..... Complete Sections A, C, E and
Exhibit B.
Revolving Loan Fund.................... Complete Sections A, B, E, K,
and L and Exhibit C.
Design and Engineering................. Complete Sections A, B, and N
and Exhibit C.
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[[Page 30048]]
Obtaining Application Packages: An applicant may obtain the
appropriate application package electronically at www.grants.gov. All
components of the appropriate application package may be accessed and
downloaded (in a screen-fillable format) at http://www.grants.gov/
applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp. Alternatively, applicants eligible
for assistance under this notice may request paper (hardcopy)
application packages by contacting the applicable EDA regional office
servicing your geographic area listed below under ``Addresses and
Telephone Numbers for EDA's Regional Offices.''
Application Submission Formats: Applications may be submitted
either (i) electronically in accordance with the procedures provided at
www.grants.gov; or (ii) in paper (hardcopy) format to the applicable
regional office address provided below. The content of applications is
the same for paper submissions as it is for electronic submissions. EDA
will not accept facsimile transmissions of applications.
Electronic Submissions: Applicants are encouraged to submit
applications electronically in accordance with the instructions
provided at www.grants.gov. The preferred file format for electronic
attachments is portable document format (PDF); however, EDA will accept
electronic files in Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, or Microsoft Excel
formats. Validation or rejection of your application by www.grants.gov
may take additional days after your submission. Therefore, please
consider the www.grants.gov validation/rejection process in developing
your application submission timeline.
Applicants should access the following link for assistance in
navigating www.grants.gov and for a list of useful resources: http://
www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant_help.jsp. If you do not find an
answer to your question under Frequently Asked Questions, try
consulting the Applicant's User Guide. If you still cannot find an
answer to your question, contact www.grants.gov via e-mail at
support@grants.gov or telephone at 1-800-518-4726. The hours of
operation for www.grants.gov are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
(Eastern Time) (except for federal holidays).
Paper Submissions: An eligible applicant under this notice may
submit a completed paper application to the applicable EDA regional
office listed below. The applicant must submit one original and two
copies of the appropriate completed application package via postal
mail, shipped overnight, or hand-delivered to the applicable regional
office, unless otherwise directed by EDA staff. Department of Commerce
mail security measures may delay receipt of United States Postal
Service mail for up to two weeks. Therefore, applicants who submit
paper submissions are advised to use guaranteed overnight delivery
services.
Addresses and Telephone Numbers for EDA's Regional Offices:
Applicants in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North
Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, may submit paper submissions
to: Economic Development Administration, Atlanta Regional Office, 401
West Peachtree Street, NW., Suite 1820, Atlanta, Georgia 30308,
Telephone: (404) 730-3002, Fax: (404) 730-3025.
Applicants in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas,
may submit paper submissions to: Economic Development Administration,
Austin Regional Office, 504 Lavaca, Suite 1100, Austin, Texas 78701-
2858, Telephone: (512) 381-8144, Fax: (512) 381-8177.
Applicants in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio,
Wisconsin and Muscatine and Scott counties, Iowa, may submit paper
submissions to: Economic Development Administration, Chicago Regional
Office, 111 North Canal Street, Suite 855, Chicago, Illinois 60606,
Telephone: (312) 353-7706, Fax: (312) 353-8575.
Applicants in Colorado, Iowa (excluding Muscatine and Scott
counties), Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South
Dakota, Utah and Wyoming, may submit paper submissions to: Economic
Development Administration, Denver Regional Office, 410 17th Street,
Suite 250, Denver, Colorado 80202, Telephone: (303) 844-4714, Fax:
(303) 844-3968.
Applicants in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, U.S. Virgin Islands,
Virginia and West Virginia, may submit paper submissions to: Economic
Development Administration, Philadelphia Regional Office, Curtis
Center, 601 Walnut Street, Suite 140 South, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19106, Telephone: (215) 597-4603, Fax: (215) 597-1063.
Applicants in Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam,
Hawaii, Idaho, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nevada, Northern Mariana
Islands, Oregon, Republic of Palau and Washington, may submit paper
submissions to: Economic Development Administration, Seattle Regional
Office, Jackson Federal Building, Room 1890, 915 Second Avenue,
Seattle, Washington 98174, Telephone: (206) 220-7660, Fax: (206) 220-
7669.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or for a
paper copy of the FFO announcement, contact the appropriate EDA
regional office listed above. EDA's Internet Web site at http://
www.eda.gov also contains additional information on EDA and its
programs.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Program Information: EDA's mission is to lead the federal economic
development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness,
preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide
economy. In implementing this mission pursuant to its authorizing
statute, PWEDA, EDA advances economic growth by assisting communities
and regions experiencing chronic high unemployment and low per capita
income to create an environment that fosters innovation, promotes
entrepreneurship, and attracts increased private capital investment.
EDA encourages the submission of only those applications that will
significantly benefit regions with distressed economies. Distress may
exist in a variety of forms, including high levels of unemployment, low
income levels, large concentrations of low-income families, significant
declines in per capita income, large numbers (or high rates) of
business failures, sudden major layoffs or plant closures, trade
impacts, military base closures, natural or other major disasters,
depletion of natural resources, reduced tax bases, or substantial loss
of population because of the lack of employment opportunities. It is
EDA's experience that regional economic development to alleviate these
conditions is effected primarily through investments and decisions made
by the private sector. Therefore, EDA funding generally must be matched
by non-EDA funds. See section III.C. of the applicable FFO for more
information.
EDA will evaluate and select applications according to the
investment policy guidelines and funding priorities set forth below
under ``Evaluation Criteria'' and ``Funding Priorities'' and in section
V. of the FFO announcement.
Electronic Access: The complete FFO announcement for the FY 2009
Economic Development Assistance Programs competition is available at
www.grants.gov and at www.eda.gov.
Funding Availability: Funding appropriated under the Omnibus
Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-08, 123 Stat. 524, 561 (2009)) is
[[Page 30049]]
available for the economic development assistance programs authorized
by PWEDA and for the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program
(TAAF Program) authorized under the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19
U.S.C. 2341-2391) (Trade Act). Funds in the amount of $240,000,000 have
been appropriated for FY 2009 and shall remain available until
expended.
Under this announcement, approximately $196,972,592 is available
for the (i) Public Works and Economic Development Facilities Program;
(ii) Planning Program; (iii) Local Technical Assistance Program; and
(iv) Economic Adjustment Assistance Program. The funding periods and
funding amounts referenced in the FFO announcement are subject to the
availability of funds at the time of award, as well as to Department of
Commerce and EDA priorities at the time of award. The Department of
Commerce and EDA will not be held responsible for application
preparation costs. Publication of this notice and the FFO announcement
does not obligate the Department of Commerce or EDA to award any
specific grant or cooperative agreement or to obligate all or any part
of available funds.
From amounts otherwise made available for the economic development
assistance programs authorized by PWEDA, EDA is allocating $14,700,000
in FY 2009 to the Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund to
support projects that foster economic competitiveness while enhancing
environmental quality. EDA anticipates that these funds will be used to
promote the green economy through projects that enhance sustainability,
diversify the economy, and result in 21st century higher-skill, higher-
wage jobs. An applicant eligible for funding under this initiative
should apply in the same manner that it would apply for Economic
Adjustment Assistance Program funding and should include in the project
narrative a detailed explanation of how the proposed project will help
advance the goals of the Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive
Fund. Please see section II.A.5 of the applicable FFO. For more
information on the goals of this initiative, contact the designated
point of contact listed in section VIII.B. of the applicable FFO for
the EDA regional office servicing your geographic area.
EDA expects to post a separate FFO announcement(s) at
www.grants.gov and at http://www.eda.gov that will set forth the
specific funding priorities, application and selection processes, time
frames, and evaluation criteria for certain National Technical
Assistance and Research and Evaluation projects to be funded with FY
2009 appropriations. A separate FFO announcement dated February 20,
2009, regarding the FY 2009 University Center competition in EDA's
Atlanta and Seattle regional offices, has been posted at www.grants.gov
and at http://www.eda.gov.
Under the Trade Act, EDA administers the TAAF Program to provide
technical assistance to firms adversely affected by increased import
competition. EDA anticipates that appropriated funds will be used to
extend new cooperative agreements to the existing network of 11 Trade
Adjustment Assistance Centers, and to provide technical assistance to
firms certified as eligible under the TAAF Program. See 13 CFR part
315.
Statutory Authorities: The authorities for the (i) Public Works and
Economic Development Facilities Program; (ii) Planning Program; (iii)
Local Technical Assistance Program; and (iv) Economic Adjustment
Assistance Program are sections 201 (42 U.S.C. 3141), 203 (42 U.S.C.
3143), 207 (42 U.S.C. 3147), and 209 (42 U.S.C. 3149) of PWEDA,
respectively. Unless otherwise provided in this notice or in the FFO
announcement, applicant eligibility, program objectives and priorities,
application procedures, evaluation criteria, selection procedures, and
other requirements for all programs are set forth in EDA's regulations
(codified at 13 CFR chapter III) and applicants must address these
requirements. EDA's regulations and PWEDA are available at http://
www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Lawsreg.xml.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers: 11.300,
Grants for Public Works and Economic Development Facilities; 11.302,
Economic Development--Support for Planning Organizations; 11.303,
Economic Development--Technical Assistance; 11.307, Economic Adjustment
Assistance.
Applicant Eligibility: Pursuant to PWEDA, eligible applicants for
and eligible recipients of EDA investment assistance include a(n): (i)
District Organization; (ii) Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian
Tribes; (iii) State, a city or other political subdivision of a State,
including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged
in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium
of political subdivisions; (iv) institution of higher education or a
consortium of institutions of higher education; or (v) public or
private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation
with officials of a political subdivision of a State. See section 3 of
PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3122) and 13 CFR 300.3. Projects eligible for Public
Works or Economic Adjustment investment assistance include those
projects located in regions meeting ``Special Need'' criteria (defined
in 13 CFR 300.3), as set forth in section VII. of the FFO announcement.
For-profit, private-sector entities are not eligible to apply for
investment assistance under this notice.
Cost Sharing Requirement: Generally, the amount of the EDA grant
may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the project. Projects
may receive an additional amount that shall not exceed 30 percent,
based on the relative needs of the region in which the project will be
located, as determined by EDA. See section 204(a) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C.
3144) and 13 CFR 301.4(b)(1). For Planning Assistance, the minimum EDA
investment rate for projects under 13 CFR part 303 is 50 percent, and
the maximum allowable EDA investment rate may not exceed 80 percent.
See 13 CFR 301.4(b)(3). For projects of a national scope under 13 CFR
part 306 (Training, Research and Technical Assistance), and for all
other projects under 13 CFR part 306, the Assistant Secretary of
Commerce for Economic Development has the discretion to establish a
maximum EDA investment rate of up to 100 percent where the project (i)
merits, and is not otherwise feasible without, an increase to the EDA
investment rate; or (ii) will be of no or only incidental benefit to
the recipient. See section 204(c)(3) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and 13
CFR 301.4(b)(4). The Assistant Secretary has the discretion to
establish a maximum EDA investment rate of up to 100 percent of the
total project cost in the case of EDA investment assistance to a(n) (i)
Indian Tribe, (ii) State (or political subdivision of a State) that the
Assistant Secretary determines has exhausted its effective taxing and
borrowing capacity, or (iii) non-profit organization that the Assistant
Secretary determines has exhausted its effective borrowing capacity.
See sections 204(c)(1) and (2) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and 13 CFR
301.4(b)(5). Potential applicants should contact the appropriate EDA
regional office to make these determinations.
In the application review process, EDA will consider the nature of
the contribution (cash or in-kind) and the amount of the matching share
funds. EDA will give preference to applications that include cash
contributions (over in-kind contributions) as the matching share. While
cash contributions are preferred, in-kind contributions, fairly
evaluated by EDA, may provide the required non-federal share of the
total
[[Page 30050]]
project cost. See section 204(b) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and section
III.B. of the FFO announcement for this request for applications. In-
kind contributions, which may include forgiveness or assumptions of
debt, and contributions of space, equipment or services, are eligible
to be included as part of the non-federal share of eligible project
costs if they meet applicable federal cost principles and uniform
administrative requirements. Funds from other federal financial
assistance awards are considered matching share funds only if
authorized by statute, which may be determined by EDA's reasonable
interpretation of the statute. See 13 CFR 300.3. The applicant must
show that the matching share is committed to the project for the
project period, will be available as needed and is not conditioned or
encumbered in any way that precludes its use consistent with the
requirements of EDA investment assistance. See 13 CFR 301.5.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications for assistance under EDA's
programs are subject to the State review requirements imposed by
Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
Evaluation and Selection Procedures: Each application package is
circulated by a project officer within the applicable EDA regional
office for review and comments. When the necessary input and
information are obtained, the application is considered by the regional
office's Investment Review Committee (IRC), which is comprised of
regional office staff. The IRC discusses the application and evaluates
it on two levels to (a) determine if the application meets the program-
specific award and application requirements provided in 13 CFR 305.2
for Public Works investments, 13 CFR 303.3 for Planning investments, 13
CFR 306.2 for Local and National Technical Assistance, and 13 CFR 307.2
and 307.4 for Economic Adjustment Assistance; and (b) evaluate it using
the general evaluation criteria set forth in 13 CFR 301.8. These
general evaluation criteria also are provided below under ``Evaluation
Criteria.''
The IRC recommends to the Regional Director whether an application
merits further consideration, documenting its recommendation. For
quality control assurance, EDA Headquarters reviews the IRC's analysis
of the project's fulfillment of the investment policy guidelines set
forth below under ``Evaluation Criteria,'' in section V.B. of the FFO,
and in 13 CFR 301.8. After receiving quality control clearance, the
Selecting Official, who is the Regional Director, considers the
evaluations provided by the IRC and the degree to which one or more of
the funding priorities provided below are included, in making his/her
decision as to which applications merit further consideration.
To limit the burden on the applicant, EDA requests additional
documentation only if EDA determines that the applicant's project
merits further consideration. The Form ED-900 provides detailed
guidance on documentation, information, and other materials that will
be requested if, and only if, EDA selects the project for further
consideration. EDA will inform the applicant if its application has
been selected for further consideration or if the application has not
been selected for funding.
Evaluation Criteria: EDA will select applications competitively
based on the investment policy guidelines and funding priority
considerations identified in this notice. EDA will evaluate the extent
to which a project embodies the maximum number of investment policy
guidelines and funding priorities possible and strongly exemplifies at
least one of each. All investment applications will be competitively
evaluated primarily on their ability to satisfy the following
investment policy guidelines, each of equivalent weight and which also
are set forth in 13 CFR 301.8.
1. Be market-based and results driven. An EDA investment will
capitalize on a region's competitive strengths and will positively move
a regional economic indicator, such as: an increased number of higher-
skill, higher-wage jobs; increased tax revenue; or increased private
sector investment.
2. Have strong organizational leadership. An EDA investment will
have strong leadership, relevant project management experience, and a
significant commitment of human resources talent to ensure a project's
successful execution.
3. Advance productivity, innovation and entrepreneurship. An EDA
investment will enable entrepreneurship, enhance regional industry
clusters, and leverage and link technology innovators and local
universities to the private sector to create the conditions for greater
productivity, innovation, and job creation.
4. Look beyond the immediate economic horizon, anticipate economic
changes, and diversify the local and regional economy. An EDA
investment will be part of an overarching, long-term comprehensive
economic development strategy that enhances a region's success in
achieving a rising standard of living by supporting existing industry
clusters, developing emerging new clusters, or attracting new regional
economic drivers.
5. Demonstrate a high degree of local commitment by exhibiting:
High levels of local government or non-profit matching
funds and private sector leverage;
Clear and unified leadership and support by local elected
officials; and
Strong cooperation between the business sector, relevant
regional partners and local, State and federal governments.
In addition to using the investment policy guidelines set forth
above, EDA also will evaluate all Planning Assistance applications
based on the (i) quality of the proposed scope of work for the
development, implementation, revision or replacement of a comprehensive
economic development strategy (CEDS); and (ii) qualifications of the
applicant to implement the goals and objectives resulting from the
CEDS. See 13 CFR 303.3(a)(1) and (2). To ensure that the application
fully meets these requirements, the applicant should pay particular
attention to 13 CFR 303.7(b), which sets forth specific technical
requirements for the CEDS.
Funding Priorities: Successful applications for EDA's investment
programs will be regionally driven initiatives in areas of the Nation
that are underperforming and eligible for EDA assistance, and that meet
one or more of the following core criteria (investment applications
that meet more than one core criterion will be given more favorable
consideration):
1. Investments in support of long-term, coordinated and
collaborative regional economic development approaches:
Establish comprehensive regional economic development
strategies that identify promising opportunities for long-term economic
growth.
Exhibit demonstrable, committed multi-jurisdictional
support from leaders across all sectors:
i. Public (e.g., mayors, city councils, county executives, senior
state leadership);
ii. Institutional (e.g., institutions of higher learning);
iii. Non-profit (e.g., chambers of commerce, development
organizations); and
iv. Private (e.g., leading regional businesses, significant
regional industry associations).
Generate quantifiable positive economic outcomes.
2. Investments that support innovation and competitiveness:
Develop and enhance the functioning and competitiveness of
[[Page 30051]]
leading and emerging industry clusters in an economic region.
Advance technology transfer from research institutions to
the commercial marketplace.
Bolster critical infrastructure (e.g., transportation,
communications, specialized training) to prepare economic regions to
compete in the world-wide marketplace.
3. Investments that encourage entrepreneurship:
Cultivate a favorable entrepreneurial environment
consistent with regional strategies.
Enable economic regions to identify innovative
opportunities among growth-oriented small and medium-size enterprises.
Promote community and faith-based entrepreneurship
programs aimed at improving economic performance in an economic region.
4. Investments in support of strategies that link regional
economies with the global marketplace:
Enable businesses, local governments and key institutions
(e.g., higher education) to understand and take advantage of the
numerous free trade agreements implemented in the last seven years.
Enable economic development professionals to develop and
implement strategies that reflect the competitive environment of the
21st Century global marketplace.
Build strategies to help regional economies boost exports.
Promote foreign direct investment.
5. Additional considerations:
Respond to sudden and severe economic dislocations (e.g.,
major layoffs, plant closures or disasters).
Enable BRAC-impacted communities to transition from a
military to civilian economy.
Advance the goals of linking historic preservation and
economic development as outlined by Executive Order 13287, ``Preserve
America.''
Support the economic revitalization of brownfields.
Implement the Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive
Fund as set forth in section II.A.5 of the FFO.
The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements: The administrative and national
policy requirements for all Department of Commerce awards, contained in
the Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements, published in the Federal Register on
February 11, 2008 (73 FR 7696), are applicable to this competitive
solicitation.
Paperwork Reduction Act: This document contains collection-of-
information requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).
The use of Form ED-900 (Application for Investment Assistance) has been
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Control
Number 0610-0094. The use of Forms SF-424 (Application for Financial
Assistance), SF-424A (Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs),
SF-424B (Assurances--Non-Construction Programs), SF-424C (Budget
Information--Construction Programs), and SF-424D (Assurances--
Construction Programs) has been approved under OMB Control Numbers
4040-0004, 0348-0044, 4040-0007, 4040-0008, and 4040-0009,
respectively. The Form CD-346 (Applicant for Funding Assistance) is
approved under OMB Control Number 0605-0001, and Form SF-LLL
(Disclosure of Lobbying Activities) is approved under OMB Control
Number 0348-0046. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person
is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the PRA unless that collection of information displays
a currently valid OMB Control Number.
Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review): This notice
has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive
Order 12866.
Executive Order 13132 (Federalism): It has been determined that
this notice does not contain policies with Federalism implications as
that term is defined in Executive Order 13132.
Administrative Procedure Act/Regulatory Flexibility Act: Prior
notice and an opportunity for public comments are not required by the
Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for rules concerning
grants, benefits, and contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2)). Because notice
and opportunity for comment are not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553
or any other law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are inapplicable. Therefore, a
regulatory flexibility analysis has not been prepared.
Dated: June 18, 2009.
Dennis Alvord,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development
.
[FR Doc. E9-14822 Filed 6-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-24-P