[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 13, Volume 1] [Revised as of January 1, 2003] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 13CFR303.2] [Page 549-550] TITLE 13--BUSINESS CREDIT AND ASSISTANCE CHAPTER III--ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PART 303--PLANNING PROCESS AND STRATEGIES FOR DISTRICT AND OTHER PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTED BY EDA--Table of Contents Sec. 303.2 Planning process. (a) The strategy committee must be inclusive and representative of the main economic interests of the area covered by the strategy. Such interests include public officials, community leaders, private individuals, business leaders, labor groups, minorities, and others who can contribute to and benefit from improved economic development in the area covered. (b) The planning organization must support the strategy committee with a staff skilled in economic planning or related fields. (c) The planning organization must conduct an initial and continuous study and analysis of the opportunities for economic development and of problems contributing to economic and related distress in the area covered, such as, for example, unemployment, underemployment, outmigration, or low per capita income, and possible solutions to such problems. (d) Planning organizations covered by this part 303 must submit an initial strategy to EDA in compliance with the requirements of Sec. 303.3, as determined by EDA. Each year thereafter, the planning organization must submit an annual strategy report, acceptable to EDA. (e) A new or revised strategy is required at least every five years, or sooner if EDA or the planning organization determines that the strategy is inadequate due to changed circumstances. Each strategy must be available for review and comment by appropriate government bodies and interest groups in the area covered. Strategies submitted by Districts require a 30 day opportunity for review and comment by the Governor or Governors, or designee(s), of the State or [[Page 550]] States in which they are located, prior to EDA approval. (f) If EDA identifies any deficiencies, it will notify the organization in writing and provide the organization a reasonable opportunity to remedy such deficiencies. (g) If any part of a district is in the Appalachian region (as defined in section 403 of the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 (40 U.S.C. App.)) the district shall ensure that a copy of the district's CEDS is provided to the Appalachian Regional Commission. [64 FR 5356, Feb. 3, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 69874, Dec. 14, 1999; 65 FR 71024, Nov. 28, 2000]