[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: 13CFR308.17] [Page 571-572] TITLE 13--BUSINESS CREDIT AND ASSISTANCE CHAPTER III--ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PART 308--REQUIREMENTS FOR ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT GRANTS--Table of Contents Subpart B--Special Requirements for Revolving Loan Fund Projects and Uses of Grant Funds Sec. 308.17 Effective utilization of Revolving Loan Funds. (a) Loan closing and disbursement schedule. (1) RLF loan activity must be sufficient to draw down grant funds in accordance with the time schedule for loan closings and disbursements to eligible RLF borrowers as prescribed in the award conditions. The time schedule requires that the initial round of lending (i.e., the grant disbursement phase) be completed within three years of the grant award. (2) If a RLF recipient substantially fails to meet the prescribed time schedules for loan closings and disbursements, EDA may terminate the undisbursed balance of the award. Exceptions may be granted where: (i) Funds are needed to close and disburse funds on loans approved prior to the deadline and will be disbursed within 45 days of the deadline, (ii) Funds are needed to meet continuing disbursement obligations on loans closed prior to the deadline, or (iii) EDA has approved a time schedule extension. (b) Time schedule extension. (1) RLF recipients are responsible for contacting EDA as soon as conditions become known that may materially affect their ability to meet the approved time schedules. RLF recipients must submit a written request to EDA for continued use of grant funds beyond a missed deadline. Extension requests must provide good reason for the delay and demonstrate that: (i) The delay was unforeseen or generally beyond the control of the RLF recipient; (ii) The need for the RLF still exists; (iii) The current and planned use and the anticipated benefits of the RLF will remain consistent with the current CEDS and the RLF Plan; (iv) The achievement of a new proposed time schedule is reasonable; and (v) An explanation why no further delays are foreseen. (2) EDA is under no obligation to grant a time extension, and in the event an extension is denied, EDA may deobligate (terminate) all or part of the unused portion of the grant. (c) Capital Utilization Standard. (1) During the revolving phase, RLF recipients must manage their repayment and lending schedules such that at least 75 percent of the RLF's capital is loaned out or committed at all times. RLF income earned during a current reporting period is not included as RLF [[Page 572]] capital when calculating the capital utilization percentage. Exception: (i) RLF recipients that anticipate making large loans relative to the size of the capital base, may propose RLF Plans that call for holding more than 25 percent. (ii) EDA may require an RLF with a capital base in excess of $4 million to adopt a Plan that maintains a proportionately higher percentage of their funds loaned out. (2) When the percentage of loaned out capital falls below the applicable standard, the dollar amount of the funds equivalent to the difference between the actual percentage of capital loaned out and the standard is referred to as ``excess funds.'' (i) Sequestration of excess funds. If the capital utilization standard is not met for two consecutive reporting intervals, EDA may require the RLF recipient to deposit ``excess funds'' in an interest bearing account; the portion of the interest earned on that account, attributable to the EDA grant, will be remitted to the U.S. Treasury. EDA approval is required to withdraw sequestered funds. (ii) Persistent noncompliance. A RLF recipient will normally be provided a reasonable period of time to lend ``excess funds'' and achieve the standard. However, if a RLF recipient fails to achieve the standard after a reasonable period of time as determined by EDA, the grant may be subject to sanctions for suspension and/or termination.