80 FR 79076 - Promise Zones Initiative: Third Round Selection Process
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 243 (December 18, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 243 (December 18, 2015)
| Page Range | 79076-79079 | |
| FR Document | 2015-31884 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 243 (Friday, December 18, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 79076-79079] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-31884] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT [Docket No. FR-5774-N-04] Promise Zones Initiative: Third Round Selection Process AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, HUD. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Through this notice, HUD provides notice on the selection process, criteria, and application submission for the third round of the Promise Zone initiative. DATES: Application due date is 5:00 p.m. EST on February 23, 2016. ADDRESSES: Interested eligible organizations are invited to submit applications for a Promise Zone designation. Questions or comments regarding the application process should be directed by email to [email protected]. Questions or comments may also be directed by postal mail to the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street SW., Room 7136, Washington, DC 20410 ATTN: Promise Zone Selections. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Herdliska, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Rm 7136, Washington, DC, 20410; telephone number 202-402-6758. This is not a toll-free number. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background In his 2013 State of the Union address, President Obama announced the establishment of the Promise Zones initiative to partner with high- poverty communities across the country to create jobs, increase economic security, expand educational opportunities, increase access to quality, affordable housing, and improve public safety.\1\ On January 8, 2014, the President [[Page 79077]] announced the first five Promise Zones, which are located in: San Antonio, TX; Philadelphia, PA; Los Angeles, CA; Southeastern Kentucky, KY; and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, OK. On April 28, 2015, eight more Promise Zones were designated as part of the second round Promise Zone selection process. They are located in: Camden, NJ; Hartford, CT; Indianapolis, IN; Minneapolis, MN; Sacramento, CA; St. Louis, MO; South Carolina Low Country; and Pine Ridge Indian Reservation of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, SD. Each of these communities (nine urban, two rural, and two tribal) submitted a plan on how it will partner with local business and community leaders to make investments that reward hard work and expand opportunity. In exchange, the Federal government is helping these Promise Zone designees secure the resources and flexibility they need to achieve their goals.\2\ The urban designations were conferred by HUD, while the rural and tribal designations were conferred by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ See http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/02/15/fact-sheet-president-s-plan-ensure-hard-work-leads-decent-living. \2\ See http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/01/08/fact-sheet-president-obama-s-promise-zones-initiative. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Promise Zones Benefits The Promise Zone designation partners the Federal government with local leaders who are addressing multiple community revitalization challenges in a collaborative way and have demonstrated a commitment to results. Further, Promise Zones will be assigned Federal staff to help navigate the array of Federal assistance and programs already available to them. In addition, eligible applicants in Promise Zones will receive any available (a) preference for certain competitive Federal programs and (b) technical assistance. Subject to enactment by Congress, businesses investing in Promise Zones or hiring residents of Promise Zones will be eligible to receive tax incentives. Altogether, this package of assistance will help local leaders accelerate efforts to revitalize their communities. The Promise Zone designation will be for a term of 10 years and may be extended as necessary to capture the full term of availability of the Promise Zone tax incentives, if the tax incentives are enacted. During this term, the specific benefits made available to Promise Zones may vary from year to year, and sometimes more often than annually, due to changes in Federal agency policies and changes in appropriations and authorizations for relevant programs. All assistance provided to Promise Zones is subject to applicable regulations, statutes, and changes in federal agency policies, appropriations, and authorizations for relevant programs. Subject to these limitations, the Promise Zone designation commits the Federal government to partner with local leaders who are addressing multiple community revitalization challenges in a collaborative way and have demonstrated a commitment to results. Response to Public Comment On July 29, 2015, HUD published a notice in the Federal Register at 80 FR 45227 to solicit comments from first and second round applicants, interested parties, and the general public on the Promise Zones initiative and the proposed selection process for the of Promise Zone designations. The public comment period closed on September 28, 2015. HUD received 21 communications containing public comments. HUD and USDA, in consultation with federal interagency partners of the Promise Zone initiative, provided responses to public comments on the application process which have been included in the updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). The FAQs can be found at www.hud.gov/promisezones. Promise Zones Selection Process This notice announces the opening of the application period for the third round of Promise Zone designations. HUD and USDA have reorganized and revised the Application Guide to clarify elements that applicants found particularly difficult and incorporated some comments. The MAX Survey online survey system, which is used for submitting certain components of the application, has also been reorganized. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. EST on February 23, 2016 with announcements expected in 2016. As a result of this competition, HUD intends to designate five urban communities and USDA intends to designate one rural and one tribal community. A total of 20 Promise Zone designations will be made by the end of calendar year 2016. Due to the cross-disciplinary nature of the initiative, the list of eligible Lead Applicants has been updated to reflect that Promise Zone activities are likely to be carried out by a variety of organizations and organization types, including organizations that have specific roles in the delivery of programs funded by different Federal agencies. Most such organizations are eligible under the categories of governmental and nonprofit organizations that were previously listed as eligible Lead Applicants. HUD and USDA included examples might encourage communities to engage organizations that are the most appropriate to respond to their needs and lead revitalization efforts. Eligible Lead Applicants for Urban Promise Zone designations are: Units of General Local Government (UGLG); \3\ An office/department of a local government submitting on behalf of the local government under a local delegation of authority; Nonprofit organizations applying with the support of the UGLG; and Public Housing Agencies, Community Colleges, Local Education Agencies (LEAs), or Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) applying with the support of the UGLG. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ Unit of general local government as defined in section 102(a)(1) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302(a)(1)). See definition (a) (1) Unit of General Local Government. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eligible Lead Applicants for Rural and Tribal Promise Zone designations are: Local governments (which includes county, city, town, township, parish, village, governmental authority or other general- purpose political subdivision of a state or combination thereof) and Federally-recognized tribes; \4\ Nonprofit organizations applying in partnership with local government or tribal government; Housing authorities applying in partnership with local government, or Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) applying in partnership with tribal government; or Local Education Agencies (LEAs) applying in partnership with local or tribal government; or community colleges applying in partnership with local or tribal government. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ ``Tribal applicants'' are: Federally-recognized tribes as well as duly established political subdivisions of a Federally- recognized tribe. A ``Federally-recognized tribe'' is any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community of Indians, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act [43 USCS Sec. Sec. 1601 et seq.], that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.) A Nonprofit organization applying in partnership with a Federally-recognized tribal government may apply as a tribal applicant. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Any Lead Applicant whose proposed Promise Zone boundaries meet the qualifying criteria set forth in the Third Round Application Guide is eligible to apply for a Promise Zone designation. All of the following must be present in an application for a proposed Urban Promise Zone to be eligible for a designation: (1) Proposed Promise Zone must have one contiguous boundary and [[Page 79078]] cannot include separate geographic areas; \5\ (2) The rate of overall poverty or --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \5\ Applicants are required to use the Promise Zone mapping tool to show both the boundary and the poverty levels. The mapping tool emails this information as a PDF to the applicant. This PDF, in its entirety, must be included in the application. See page 33 of the Application Guide for more information on the mapping tool. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Extremely Low Income rate (whichever is greater) of residents within the Promise Zone must be at or above 32.5%; \6\ (3) Promise Zone boundaries must encompass a population of at least 10,000 but no more than 200,000 residents; (4) The Promise Zone application must affirmatively demonstrate support from all mayors or chief executives of UGLGs that include any geographical area within the proposed Promise Zone boundary, subject to the following conditions: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \6\ The reported poverty rate or Extremely Low Income rate will be rounded to the nearest .1%. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------Counties and county equivalents (collectively ``counties'').\7\ The chief executive of a county must demonstrate support for any Promise Zone Plan (Plan) that includes an area within the unincorporated boundaries of the county. The chief executive of a county may support as many Plans as he or she wishes in incorporated areas within the county, but may only support one Plan that includes an area within the unincorporated boundaries of the county. If the chief executive of a county supports multiple Plans, the chief executive must include an explanation of how the county intends to work with multiple designees at the same time and sustain the necessary level of effort, resources, and support for each designee for the full term of each designation. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \7\ Note the reference to county includes all county equivalents, such as parishes. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- UGLGs other than counties. For UGLGs other than counties, the chief executive of an UGLG must demonstrate support for a Plan that includes any area within the geographic boundaries of the UGLG. The chief executive of UGLGs that are not counties may support only one Plan. If the chief executive of an UGLG that is not a county supports more than one Plan, HUD will disqualify all Promise Zone applications supported by that chief executive. Crossing Jurisdictions. The Promise Zone application must demonstrate support for the Plan from all chief executives of UGLGs included within the proposed Promise Zone boundary. The chief executive of a county must demonstrate support for any Plan that includes area within the unincorporated boundaries of the county. For UGLGs other than counties, the chief executive of an UGLG must demonstrate support for a Plan that includes any area within the geographic boundaries of the UGLG. For example, a Plan that includes areas in two cities requires the support of the chief executives from both cities. A Plan that includes area within the boundaries of a city and the unincorporated boundaries of the county requires support from the chief executive of the city and the chief executive of the county. UGLGs with Designated Promise Zones. If a Promise Zone designated in Round 1 or 2 is located within a UGLG in which a new application is being submitted, the applicant must include an explanation of how, if a second Promise Zone designation is made, the UGLG plans to work with both of the Promise Zone designees at the same time and sustain the level of effort, resources and support committed to each Promise Zone under its respective Promise Zone Plan for the full term of each Promise Zone designation. This explanation must be evidenced by commitments from the UGLG in materials submitted by the chief executive in support of the application. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Is support from Is support of the Is support of the the chief chief executive chief executive executive of of City Y of County Z City X required? required? required? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The PZ Plan is for an area entirely within the Yes.* No. No.** boundaries of City X.................................. The PZ Plan is for an area entirely within the No. Yes.* No.** boundaries of City Y.................................. The PZ Plan is for an area entirely within the No. No. Yes.*** boundaries of unincorporated area of County Z......... The PZ Plan consists of area within City X and City Y.. Yes* Yes.* No.** The PZ Plan consists of area within City Y and an area No. Yes.* Yes.*** within the unincorporated boundaries of County Z...... The PZ Plan consists of area within City X, area within Yes.* Yes.* Yes.*** City Y, and area within the unincorporated boundaries of County Z........................................... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * For UGLGs other than counties, the chief executive of an UGLG must demonstrate support for a Plan that includes any area within the geographic boundaries of the UGLG. ** However, the chief executive of a county may support as many Plans as he or she wishes in incorporated areas within the county. *** The chief executive of a county must demonstrate support for any Promise Zone Plan that includes area within the unincorporated boundaries of the county. Rural and Tribal Promise Zone Designations All the following must be present to be eligible for a Rural or Tribal Promise Zone designation: (1) Rural and Tribal Promise Zones must encompass one or more census tract(s) across a contiguous geography.\8\ Rural applicants can define their boundaries by either census tracts or by county, where multiple counties are included. Tribal applicants can define boundaries which may encompass: one or more census tracts and nearby tribally-controlled areas; or reservations; or consortia of tribal and non-tribal jurisdictions; (2) Promise Zone boundaries must encompass a population of no more than 200,000 residents.\9\ The population limit of 200,000 may not include any incorporated municipalities or unincorporated areas with individual populations greater than 50,000. Rural and tribal Promise Zones may fall in non-metro and metro counties; (3) The rate of overall poverty or Extremely Low Income rate (whichever is greater) \10\ of [[Page 79079]] residents within the Promise Zone must be at or above 20 percent and the Promise Zone must contain at least one census tract with a poverty rate at or above 30 percent; \11\ and (4) Local leadership must demonstrate commitment to the Promise Zone effort. Tribal applications must include commitment of tribal jurisdiction(s) represented. Proposed Promise Zone boundaries may cross UGLG or tribal area lines, but one Lead Applicant must be identified, and for cross-jurisdictional applications, commitment must be demonstrated by the leadership of all UGLGs or tribal areas involved. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \8\ For rural and tribal applications, Promise Zone boundaries that cross state lines and water borders can be considered contiguous. \9\ The population limit of 200,000 is intended to allow for regional collaboration among multiple communities of varying sizes and capacities. The rural eligibility criteria ensure, by definition, that rural Promise Zone applications cannot include communities over 50,000. \10\ The estimated concentration of Extremely Low Income (ELI) households represents an approximation of the percent of households within the specified area whose household combined income is below 30% of the HUD defined Area Median Income (AMI). This ELI indicator is calculated with data from the block group level from Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) 2010. The final number included in this report for ``poverty rate'' is the greater of these two indicators. \11\ Applicants are required to use the Promise Zones mapping tool to determine the overall poverty rate. The mapping tool determines the overall poverty rate in two ways and uses the higher percentage. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Application Review Applications for Promise Zone designations will be reviewed by representatives from USDA, HUD, the Department of Education, the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Transportation. Additional Federal agencies and outside entities may contribute reviewers, depending upon the anticipated volume of applications. Reviewers will first verify that the application is submitted by an applicant eligible for selection, by verifying that the proposed Promise Zone meets the qualifying criteria and that the Lead Applicant meets the eligibility criteria for the third round selection process. For urban applications, reviewers will confirm the subcategory in which each application should be considered (large Metropolitan Core Based Statistical Area (Metro CBSA) or small/medium Metro CBSA).\12\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \12\ Urban application subcategories are defined as: Large Metro CBSA: The proposed Promise Zone community is located in a Metropolitan Core Based Statistical Area (Metro CBSA) with a total population of 500,000 or more. Small/medium Metro CBSA: The proposed Promise Zone community is located within the geographic boundaries of a Metro CBSA with a population of 499,999 or less. Additional information regarding Metropolitan Core Based Statistical Areas and Principal City can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/bulletins/2013/b13-01.pdf. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rural applications will be ranked against other rural applications, tribal applications will be ranked against other tribal applications, and urban applications will be ranked against other urban applications. An application must score a total of 75 points or more out of 100 points, to be considered for a designation (scoring 75 points or more means that applications fall within the ``competitive range''). Once scored, applications will be ranked competitively within each of the three Promise Zones categories and within the urban subcategories, as applicable. HUD intends to designate at least one applicant from the small/ medium Metro CBSA sub-category if the highest scoring small/medium Metro CBSA application is comparable in quality to other urban designees (within 10 points of the lowest scoring designee and not otherwise disqualified in accordance with all other requirements contained within this application guide). If the number of eligible applications determined to be eligible for the small/medium Metro CBSA subcategory is fewer than the greater of 1) five total applications, or 2) ten percent of the total number of urban applications received, then the applications in the small/medium Metro CBSA subcategory will be included in the large Metro CBSA subcategory and ranked against those applications. Application Submission Applications must provide a clear description of how the Promise Zone designation would accelerate and strengthen the community's efforts at comprehensive community revitalization. No substantive or technical corrections will be accepted or reviewed after the application deadline. The Application Guide can be found at www.hud.gov/promisezones. Applications are due via the Promise Zone online application portal on MAX Survey by 5:00 p.m. EST on February 23, 2016. Directions on how to access and use the application portal are available at www.hud.gov/promisezones. If the Lead Applicant requests to use alternative data sources to meet the eligibility criteria or for the Need application section, a one-page explanation noting the alternative data source must be submitted to [email protected] with the subject line ``Alternative data source request'' by February 2, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. EST to be approved by the relevant designating agency (HUD or USDA). Dated: December 14, 2015. Nani A. Coloretti, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015-31884 Filed 12-17-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210-67-P
![79076 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 243 / Friday, December 18, 2015 / Notices
00031–618225;33–RPUID: 599973; 37– Radford Army Ammunition Comments: public access denied and no
RPUID: 587002 Plant; Rte. 114 P.O. Box 2 alternative method to gain access without
Comments: public access denied and no Radford VA 24143 compromising national security.
alternative method to gain access without Landholding Agency: Army Reasons: Secured Area
compromising national security. Property Number: 21201540042 [FR Doc. 2015–31504 Filed 12–17–15; 8:45 am]
Reasons: Secured Area Status: Unutilized BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
20 Buildings Comments: public access denied and no
DUGWAY PROVING GROUND alternative method to gain access without
DUGWAY PROVING GROUND UT 84022 compromising national security.
Landholding Agency: Army DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
Reasons: Secured Area
Property Number: 21201540037 URBAN DEVELOPMENT
West Virginia
Status: Underutilized [Docket No. FR–5774–N–04]
Directions: 00154–598832; 00156–595717; Building 11
00158–574114; 00162–603757; 00163– 3610 Collins Ferry Rd. Promise Zones Initiative: Third Round
574115; 00164–585779; 00167–595718; Morgantown WV 26507
00171–586937; 00173–607725; 00175– Landholding Agency: Energy
Selection Process
574117; 00177–603576; 00180–575781; Property Number: 41201540003 AGENCY: Office of the Assistant
00181–575670; 00183–574119; 00185– Status: Excess Secretary for Community Planning and
598833; 00186–595719; 00187–609946; Comments: public access denied and no
00197–609948; 00198–579166; 00201–
Development, HUD.
alternative method to gain access without
600412 compromising national security. ACTION: Notice.
Comments: public access denied and no Reasons: Secured Area
alternative method to gain access without SUMMARY: Through this notice, HUD
compromising national security. Land provides notice on the selection process,
Reasons: Secured Area Alaska criteria, and application submission for
20 Buildings Aucke Bay Marine Station
the third round of the Promise Zone
DUGWAY PROVING GROUND 11305 Glacier Hwy initiative.
DUGWAY PROVING GROUND UT 84022 Juneau AK 99801 DATES: Application due date is 5:00 p.m.
Landholding Agency: Army Landholding Agency: GSA EST on February 23, 2016.
Property Number: 21201540038 Property Number: 54201540016
Status: Underutilized ADDRESSES: Interested eligible
Status: Excess
Directions: 00205–609949; 00209–602438; organizations are invited to submit
GSA Number: 9–C–AK–0855
00256–583679; 00303–600093; 00306– Directions: applications for a Promise Zone
616070; 00313–590335; 00321–587745; Landholding Agency: NOAA; Disposal designation. Questions or comments
00325–583680; 00329–573173; 00351– Agency: GSA regarding the application process
579174; 00361–600095;5236–581055; should be directed by email to
Comments: military (Coast Guard) use only;
05362–579151; 05363–576303; 05367–
public access denied and no alternative Promisezones@hud.gov. Questions or
573490; 05375–575942; 05381–578690;
method to gain access without comments may also be directed by
05382–583591; 05383–599699; 05390–
compromising national security. postal mail to the Office of the Deputy
604657
Comments: public access denied and no Reasons: Secured Area Assistant Secretary for Economic
alternative method to gain access without Arkansas Development, U.S. Department of
compromising national security. 60 Acres Housing and Urban Development, 451
Reasons: Secured Area Harris Rd. Seventh Street SW., Room 7136,
14 Buildings Little Rock AR 72099 Washington, DC 20410 ATTN: Promise
DUGWAY PROVING GROUND Landholding Agency: Air Force Zone Selections.
DUGWAY PROVING GROUND UT 84022 Property Number: 18201540012 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Landholding Agency: Army Status: Unutilized
Property Number: 21201540039 Bryan Herdliska, U.S. Department of
Comments: located w/in floodway which has
Status: Underutilized not been corrected or contained; public
Housing and Urban Development, 451
Directions: 00069–RPUID: 599975; 00093– access denied and no alternative method to 7th Street SW., Rm 7136, Washington,
RPUID: 618228; 00152–RPUID: 621801; gain access without compromising national DC, 20410; telephone number 202–402–
00103–RPUID: 587003; 00107–RPUID: security. 6758. This is not a toll-free number.
611292; 00113–RPUID: 605404; 00118– Reasons: Floodway; Secured Area Persons with hearing or speech
RPUID: 590378; 00119–RPUID: 606737; impairments may access this number
00123–RPUID: 577667; 00125–RPUID: Georgia
577668; 00127–RPUID: 607723; 00129–
through TTY by calling the toll-free
Facility 7525
RPUID: 574112; 00131–RPUID: 577669; 145 Beale Dr. Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339.
00140–RPUID: 606738 Robins AFB GA 31098 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments: public access denied and no Landholding Agency: Air Force
alternative method to gain access without Background
Property Number: 18201540032
compromising national security. Status: Unutilized In his 2013 State of the Union
Reasons: Secured Area Comments: public access denied and no address, President Obama announced
Virginia alternative method to gain access without the establishment of the Promise Zones
compromising national security. initiative to partner with high-poverty
06217 Reasons: Secured Area
Fort Lee communities across the country to
Ft. Lee VA 23801 Maryland create jobs, increase economic security,
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Landholding Agency: Army 4 Concrete Pads expand educational opportunities,
Property Number: 21201540029 Aberdeen Proving Ground increase access to quality, affordable
Status: Unutilized Aberdeen MD 21005 housing, and improve public safety.1 On
Comments: public access denied and no Landholding Agency: Army January 8, 2014, the President
alternative method to gain access without Property Number: 21201540056
compromising national security. Status: Unutilized 1 See http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/
Reasons: Secured Area Directions: E3176–981045; E5335–981052; 2013/02/15/fact-sheet-president-s-plan-ensure-
1555A E5628–996138; E7226–981063 hard-work-leads-decent-living.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 243 / Friday, December 18, 2015 / Notices 79077
announced the first five Promise Zones, Promise Zones is subject to applicable listed as eligible Lead Applicants. HUD
which are located in: San Antonio, TX; regulations, statutes, and changes in and USDA included examples might
Philadelphia, PA; Los Angeles, CA; federal agency policies, appropriations, encourage communities to engage
Southeastern Kentucky, KY; and the and authorizations for relevant organizations that are the most
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, OK. On programs. Subject to these limitations, appropriate to respond to their needs
April 28, 2015, eight more Promise the Promise Zone designation commits and lead revitalization efforts. Eligible
Zones were designated as part of the the Federal government to partner with Lead Applicants for Urban Promise
second round Promise Zone selection local leaders who are addressing Zone designations are: Units of General
process. They are located in: Camden, multiple community revitalization Local Government (UGLG); 3 An office/
NJ; Hartford, CT; Indianapolis, IN; challenges in a collaborative way and department of a local government
Minneapolis, MN; Sacramento, CA; St. have demonstrated a commitment to submitting on behalf of the local
Louis, MO; South Carolina Low results. government under a local delegation of
Country; and Pine Ridge Indian Response to Public Comment authority; Nonprofit organizations
Reservation of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, applying with the support of the UGLG;
SD. Each of these communities (nine On July 29, 2015, HUD published a
and Public Housing Agencies,
urban, two rural, and two tribal) notice in the Federal Register at 80 FR
Community Colleges, Local Education
submitted a plan on how it will partner 45227 to solicit comments from first and
Agencies (LEAs), or Metropolitan
with local business and community second round applicants, interested
Planning Organizations (MPOs)
leaders to make investments that reward parties, and the general public on the
applying with the support of the UGLG.
hard work and expand opportunity. In Promise Zones initiative and the
exchange, the Federal government is proposed selection process for the of Eligible Lead Applicants for Rural and
helping these Promise Zone designees Promise Zone designations. The public Tribal Promise Zone designations are:
secure the resources and flexibility they comment period closed on September Local governments (which includes
need to achieve their goals.2 The urban 28, 2015. HUD received 21 county, city, town, township, parish,
designations were conferred by HUD, communications containing public village, governmental authority or other
while the rural and tribal designations comments. HUD and USDA, in general-purpose political subdivision of
were conferred by U.S. Department of consultation with federal interagency a state or combination thereof) and
Agriculture (USDA). partners of the Promise Zone initiative, Federally-recognized tribes; 4 Nonprofit
provided responses to public comments organizations applying in partnership
Promise Zones Benefits on the application process which have with local government or tribal
The Promise Zone designation been included in the updated government; Housing authorities
partners the Federal government with Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). applying in partnership with local
local leaders who are addressing The FAQs can be found at government, or Tribally Designated
multiple community revitalization www.hud.gov/promisezones. Housing Entities (TDHEs) applying in
challenges in a collaborative way and Promise Zones Selection Process partnership with tribal government; or
have demonstrated a commitment to Local Education Agencies (LEAs)
results. Further, Promise Zones will be This notice announces the opening of applying in partnership with local or
assigned Federal staff to help navigate the application period for the third tribal government; or community
round of Promise Zone designations. colleges applying in partnership with
the array of Federal assistance and
HUD and USDA have reorganized and local or tribal government.
programs already available to them. In
revised the Application Guide to clarify
addition, eligible applicants in Promise Any Lead Applicant whose proposed
elements that applicants found
Zones will receive any available (a) Promise Zone boundaries meet the
particularly difficult and incorporated
preference for certain competitive qualifying criteria set forth in the Third
some comments. The MAX Survey
Federal programs and (b) technical Round Application Guide is eligible to
online survey system, which is used for
assistance. Subject to enactment by apply for a Promise Zone designation.
submitting certain components of the
Congress, businesses investing in All of the following must be present in
application, has also been reorganized.
Promise Zones or hiring residents of an application for a proposed Urban
Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. EST
Promise Zones will be eligible to receive Promise Zone to be eligible for a
on February 23, 2016 with
tax incentives. Altogether, this package designation: (1) Proposed Promise Zone
announcements expected in 2016. As a
of assistance will help local leaders must have one contiguous boundary and
result of this competition, HUD intends
accelerate efforts to revitalize their
to designate five urban communities
communities. 3 Unit of general local government as defined in
The Promise Zone designation will be and USDA intends to designate one
section 102(a)(1) of the Housing and Community
for a term of 10 years and may be rural and one tribal community. A total Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302(a)(1)). See
extended as necessary to capture the full of 20 Promise Zone designations will be definition (a) (1) Unit of General Local Government.
term of availability of the Promise Zone made by the end of calendar year 2016. 4 ‘‘Tribal applicants’’ are: Federally-recognized
Due to the cross-disciplinary nature of tribes as well as duly established political
tax incentives, if the tax incentives are subdivisions of a Federally-recognized tribe. A
the initiative, the list of eligible Lead
enacted. During this term, the specific ‘‘Federally-recognized tribe’’ is any Indian tribe,
Applicants has been updated to reflect
benefits made available to Promise band, nation, or other organized group or
that Promise Zone activities are likely to community of Indians, including any Alaska Native
Zones may vary from year to year, and
be carried out by a variety of village or regional or village corporation as defined
sometimes more often than annually, in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
organizations and organization types,
due to changes in Federal agency Claims Settlement Act [43 USCS §§ 1601 et seq.],
including organizations that have
policies and changes in appropriations that is recognized as eligible for the special
specific roles in the delivery of programs and services provided by the United
and authorizations for relevant
programs funded by different Federal States to Indians because of their status as Indians
programs. All assistance provided to pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and
agencies. Most such organizations are
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.) A
2 See http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/ eligible under the categories of Nonprofit organization applying in partnership
2014/01/08/fact-sheet-president-obama-s-promise- governmental and nonprofit with a Federally-recognized tribal government may
zones-initiative. organizations that were previously apply as a tribal applicant.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 243 / Friday, December 18, 2015 / Notices 79079
residents within the Promise Zone must considered for a designation (scoring 75 DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
be at or above 20 percent and the points or more means that applications URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Promise Zone must contain at least one fall within the ‘‘competitive range’’). [Docket No. FR–5871–N–03]
census tract with a poverty rate at or Once scored, applications will be
above 30 percent; 11 and (4) Local ranked competitively within each of the Notice of Regulatory Waiver Requests
leadership must demonstrate three Promise Zones categories and Granted for the Third Quarter of
commitment to the Promise Zone effort. within the urban subcategories, as Calendar Year 2015
Tribal applications must include applicable.
commitment of tribal jurisdiction(s) AGENCY: Office of the General Counsel,
represented. Proposed Promise Zone HUD intends to designate at least one HUD.
boundaries may cross UGLG or tribal applicant from the small/medium Metro ACTION: Notice.
area lines, but one Lead Applicant must CBSA sub-category if the highest scoring
be identified, and for cross- small/medium Metro CBSA application SUMMARY: Section 106 of the Department
jurisdictional applications, commitment is comparable in quality to other urban of Housing and Urban Development
must be demonstrated by the leadership designees (within 10 points of the Reform Act of 1989 (the HUD Reform
of all UGLGs or tribal areas involved. lowest scoring designee and not Act) requires HUD to publish quarterly
otherwise disqualified in accordance Federal Register notices of all
Application Review regulatory waivers that HUD has
with all other requirements contained
Applications for Promise Zone approved. Each notice covers the
within this application guide). If the
designations will be reviewed by quarterly period since the previous
number of eligible applications
representatives from USDA, HUD, the Federal Register notice. The purpose of
determined to be eligible for the small/ this notice is to comply with the
Department of Education, the
medium Metro CBSA subcategory is requirements of section 106 of the HUD
Department of Justice, the Department
fewer than the greater of 1) five total Reform Act. This notice contains a list
of Health and Human Services, the
Department of Labor, and the applications, or 2) ten percent of the of regulatory waivers granted by HUD
Department of Transportation. total number of urban applications during the period beginning on July 1,
Additional Federal agencies and outside received, then the applications in the 2015, and ending on September 30,
entities may contribute reviewers, small/medium Metro CBSA subcategory 2015.
depending upon the anticipated volume will be included in the large Metro FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
of applications. CBSA subcategory and ranked against general information about this notice,
Reviewers will first verify that the those applications. contact Camille E. Acevedo, Associate
application is submitted by an applicant General Counsel for Legislation and
eligible for selection, by verifying that Application Submission
Regulations, Department of Housing and
the proposed Promise Zone meets the Applications must provide a clear Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street
qualifying criteria and that the Lead description of how the Promise Zone SW., Room 10282, Washington, DC
Applicant meets the eligibility criteria designation would accelerate and 20410–0500, telephone 202–708–1793
for the third round selection process. strengthen the community’s efforts at (this is not a toll-free number). Persons
For urban applications, reviewers will with hearing- or speech-impairments
comprehensive community
confirm the subcategory in which each may access this number through TTY by
revitalization. No substantive or
application should be considered (large calling the toll-free Federal Relay
Metropolitan Core Based Statistical Area technical corrections will be accepted or
reviewed after the application deadline. Service at 800–877–8339.
(Metro CBSA) or small/medium Metro For information concerning a
CBSA).12 The Application Guide can be found at
particular waiver that was granted and
Rural applications will be ranked www.hud.gov/promisezones. for which public notice is provided in
against other rural applications, tribal Applications are due via the Promise this document, contact the person
applications will be ranked against Zone online application portal on MAX whose name and address follow the
other tribal applications, and urban Survey by 5:00 p.m. EST on February description of the waiver granted in the
applications will be ranked against 23, 2016. Directions on how to access accompanying list of waivers that have
other urban applications. An and use the application portal are been granted in the third quarter of
application must score a total of 75 available at www.hud.gov/ calendar year 2015.
points or more out of 100 points, to be promisezones. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
If the Lead Applicant requests to use 106 of the HUD Reform Act added a
(CHAS) 2010. The final number included in this
report for ‘‘poverty rate’’ is the greater of these two alternative data sources to meet the new section 7(q) to the Department of
indicators. eligibility criteria or for the Need Housing and Urban Development Act
11 Applicants are required to use the Promise
application section, a one-page (42 U.S.C. 3535(q)), which provides
Zones mapping tool to determine the overall
explanation noting the alternative data that:
poverty rate. The mapping tool determines the 1. Any waiver of a regulation must be
overall poverty rate in two ways and uses the higher source must be submitted to
percentage. in writing and must specify the grounds
promisezones@hud.gov with the subject
12 Urban application subcategories are defined as: for approving the waiver;
line ‘‘Alternative data source request’’ 2. Authority to approve a waiver of a
Large Metro CBSA: The proposed Promise Zone
community is located in a Metropolitan Core Based by February 2, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. EST to regulation may be delegated by the
be approved by the relevant designating
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Statistical Area (Metro CBSA) with a total Secretary only to an individual of
population of 500,000 or more. Small/medium agency (HUD or USDA).
Metro CBSA: The proposed Promise Zone Assistant Secretary or equivalent rank,
community is located within the geographic Dated: December 14, 2015. and the person to whom authority to
boundaries of a Metro CBSA with a population of
Nani A. Coloretti, waive is delegated must also have
499,999 or less. Additional information regarding authority to issue the particular
Metropolitan Core Based Statistical Areas and Deputy Secretary.
Principal City can be found at http:// regulation to be waived;
[FR Doc. 2015–31884 Filed 12–17–15; 8:45 am] 3. Not less than quarterly, the
www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/
bulletins/2013/b13-01.pdf. BILLING CODE 4210–67–P Secretary must notify the public of all
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Document Created: 2015-12-18 01:38:54
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 01:38:54
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | Application due date is 5:00 p.m. EST on February 23, 2016. | |
| Contact | Bryan Herdliska, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Rm 7136, Washington, DC, 20410; telephone number 202-402-6758. This is not a toll-free number. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 79076 |
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