81 FR 14419 - Farm Bill: Strategic Economic and Community Development-Reservation of Fiscal Year 2016 Program Funds
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Rural Housing Service
Rural Utilities Service Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 52 (March 17, 2016)
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Rural Housing Service
Rural Utilities Service
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 52 (March 17, 2016)
| Page Range | 14419-14421 | |
| FR Document | 2016-06035 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 52 (Thursday, March 17, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 14419-14421] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-06035] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Business-Cooperative Service Rural Housing Service Rural Utilities Service Farm Bill: Strategic Economic and Community Development-- Reservation of Fiscal Year 2016 Program Funds AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Section 6025 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill) provides the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to give priority to projects that support strategic economic development or community development plans. The Agency has the authority to reserve funds for those programs (referred to as the ``underlying programs'') included in 7 CFR part 1980, subpart K, Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD), for projects that support multi-jurisdictional strategic economic and community development plans. This notice identifies for fiscal year 2016 the underlying programs from which funds will be reserved for Section 6025 SECD requirements. Those programs are listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. DATES: Effective Date: October 1, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information, please contact your respective Rural Development State Office listed here: http://www.rd.usda.gov/browse-state. A checklist of all required application information for Section 6025 SECD can be found at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/strategic-economic-and-community-development. For all other inquiries, contact Regional Community Economic Development Coordinators as follows:Midwest Region--Christine Sorensen: 202-568-9832, [email protected]. [[Page 14420]] Northeast Region--Angela Callie: 610-791-9810 ext. 123, [email protected]. Southern Region--Greg Dale: (870) 633-3055 Ext. 123, [email protected]. National Office--Farah Ahmad, Program Manager: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 3254, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-0783, Email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action has been reviewed and determined not to be a rule or regulation as defined in Executive Order 12866, as amended by Executive Order 13258. As provided for in 7 CFR 1980.1004, this notice identifies for fiscal year 2016 the underlying programs from which funds will be reserved for Section 6025 SECD requirements. The following table specifies the level of program funding allocations from which the Section 6025 SECD reserved funds will be drawn, and the percentage of funds being reserved from the underlying program funding allocations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Percentage of Program Level of funding funds reserved for allocations section 6025 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Community Facility Loans (7 CFR State............. 5 percent. part 1942, subpart A). Fire and Rescue and Other Small State............. 5 percent. Community Facilities Projects (7 CFR part 1942, subpart C). Community Facilities Grant State............. 10 percent. Program (7 CFR part 3570, subpart B). Community Programs Guaranteed National.......... 10 percent. Loans (7 CFR part 3575, subpart A). Water and Waste Disposal National.......... 10 percent. Programs Guaranteed Loans (7 CFR part 1779). Water and Waste Loans and Grants National.......... 10 percent loan; 5 (7 CFR part 1780, subparts A, percent grant. B, C, and D). Business and Industry Guaranteed National.......... 5 percent. Loanmaking and Servicing (7 CFR part 4279, subparts A and B; 7 CFR part 4287, subpart B). Rural Business Development State............. 5 percent. Grants (7 CFR part 4280, subpart E). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The U.S. Department of Agriculture remains committed to assisting high-poverty communities as one of its strategic priorities. The programs listed above consider poverty-related criteria in its application requirements. For this reason, Section 6025 offers an incentive for high poverty communities to have increased access to these programs so long as they have eligible projects that support the implementation of a multi-jurisdictional plan. This is particularly beneficial for areas such as Promise Zones, the Delta, Appalachia, Colonias, and other rural places with persistent poverty issues. If submitting projects for consideration for the underlying program's Section 6025 SECD reserved funds, applicants must (1) meet the eligibility requirements of the underlying program based on its annual notice, policies and/or regulations, including application deadlines; (2) meet the eligibility requirements of Section 6025 SECD in accordance with this Notice and 7 CFR part 1980, subpart K; and (3) submit Form RD 1980-88 and supporting documentation. Applicants are encouraged to submit Form RD 1980-88 and supporting documentation concurrent with the application for the underlying program for which the applicant is applying, in an effort to avoid improper or duplicative awards to recipients as required by law. Rural Development will work with programs to ensure the review process is compliant and consistent with Section 6025 SECD regulation. All of the underlying program's reserves for Section 6025 SECD competition must be obligated by the Agency no later than June 30, 2016. As provided for in 7 CFR 1980.1004(c), the Agency will return any reserved funds that are not obligated by June 30, 2016, to the underlying program's regular funding account for obligation to all eligible projects in that program. After June 30, 2016, any project that supports a multi-jurisdictional strategic economic and community development plan may be competed with all other projects within the applicable underlying program for the remainder of FY 2016, but without the benefit of any mandated priority points and access to reserved funds available under 7 CFR part 1980, subpart K. This notice establishes the listed percentages of funds reserved for Section 6025 and is effective October 1, 2015 for the entirety of FY 2016 and the entirety of each succeeding fiscal year unless changed in accordance with 7 CFR 1980.1004(b). USDA Non-Discrimination Statement In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: 1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410; 2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or 3. Email: [email protected]. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. [[Page 14421]] Dated: March 3, 2016. Lisa Mensah, Under Secretary, Rural Development. [FR Doc. 2016-06035 Filed 3-16-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
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last quarterly report. The final report H. Other Information require alternative means of
must provide complete information VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act communication for program information
regarding the jobs created and (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.)
supported as a result of the grant if In accordance with the Paperwork please contact USDA’s TARGET Center
applicable. Grantees must continuously Reduction, the paperwork burden has at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).
monitor performance to ensure that time been cleared by OMB.
Dated: March 10, 2016.
Federal Funding Accountability and
schedules are being met, projected work Samuel H. Rikkers,
Transparency Act
by time periods is being accomplished, All applicants, in accordance with 2 Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative
and other performance objectives are CFR part 25, must have a DUNS Service.
being achieved. Grantees must submit number, which can be obtained at no [FR Doc. 2016–06034 Filed 3–16–16; 8:45 am]
an original of each report to the Agency cost via a toll-free request line at (866) BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P
no later than 30 days after the end of the 705–5711 or online at http://
quarter. The project performance reports fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Similarly, all
must include, but not be limited to, the applicants must be registered in SAM DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
following: prior to submitting an application.
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
(1) A comparison of actual Applicants may register for the SAM at
accomplishments to the objectives http://www.sam.gov. All recipients of
Rural Housing Service
established for that period; Federal financial grant assistance are
(2) Problems, delays, or adverse required to report information about Rural Utilities Service
conditions, if any, which have affected first-tier sub-awards and executive total
or will affect attainment of overall compensation in accordance with 2 CFR Farm Bill: Strategic Economic and
project objectives, prevent meeting time part 170. Community Development—
schedules or objectives, or preclude the I. Nondiscrimination Statement Reservation of Fiscal Year 2016
attainment of particular project work Program Funds
The U.S. Department of Agriculture
elements doing established time (USDA) prohibits discrimination against AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative
periods. This disclosure shall be its customers, employees, and Service, Rural Housing Service, Rural
accompanied by a statement of the applicants for employment on the bases Utilities Service, USDA.
action taken or planned to resolve the of race, color, national origin, age, ACTION: Notice.
situation; and disability, sex, gender identity, religion,
reprisal, and where applicable, political SUMMARY: Section 6025 of the
(3) Objectives and timetable
beliefs, marital status, familial or Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm
established for the next reporting
parental status, sexual orientation, or all Bill) provides the Secretary of
period.
or part of an individual’s income is Agriculture the authority to give priority
(4) Any special reporting to projects that support strategic
requirements, such as jobs supported derived from any public assistance
program, or protected genetic economic development or community
and created, businesses assisted, or development plans. The Agency has the
information in employment or in any
economic development which results in authority to reserve funds for those
program or activity conducted or funded
improvements in median household programs (referred to as the ‘‘underlying
by the Department. (Not all prohibited
incomes, and any other specific programs’’) included in 7 CFR part
bases will apply to all programs and/or
requirements, should be placed in the 1980, subpart K, Strategic Economic and
employment activities.)
reporting section of the Letter of If you wish to file a Civil Rights Community Development (SECD), for
Conditions. program complaint of discrimination, projects that support multi-
(5) Within 90 after the conclusion of complete the USDA Program jurisdictional strategic economic and
the project, the grantee will provide a Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), community development plans. This
final project evaluation report. The last found online at http:// notice identifies for fiscal year 2016 the
www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_ underlying programs from which funds
quarterly payment will be withheld
cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call will be reserved for Section 6025 SECD
until the final report is received and
(866) 632–9992 to request the form. You requirements. Those programs are listed
approved by the Agency. Even though
may also write a letter containing all of in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
the grantee may request reimbursement
the information requested in the form. section.
on a monthly basis, the last 3 months of
reimbursements will be withheld until a Send your completed complaint form or DATES: Effective Date: October 1, 2015.
final report, project performance, and letter to us by mail at U.S. Department FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
financial status report are received and of Agriculture, Director, Office of more information, please contact your
approved by the Agency. Adjudication, 1400 Independence respective Rural Development State
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250– Office listed here: http://
In addition to any reports required by
9410, by fax (202) 690–7442 or email at www.rd.usda.gov/browse-state. A
2 CFR part 200 and 2 CFR 400.1 to
program.intake@usda.gov. checklist of all required application
400.18, the intermediary/grantee must Individuals who are deaf, hard of information for Section 6025 SECD can
provide reports as required by 7 CFR hearing, or have speech disabilities and
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
be found at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/
part 4280, subpart A. wish to file either an EEO or program programs-services/strategic-economic-
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) complaint may contact USDA through and-community-development.
the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877– For all other inquiries, contact
For general questions about this 8339 or (800) 845–6136 (in Spanish). Regional Community Economic
announcement, please contact your Persons with disabilities, who wish to Development Coordinators as follows:
USDA Rural Development State Office file a program complaint, please see • Midwest Region—Christine
provided in the ADDRESSES section of information above on how to contact us Sorensen: 202–568–9832,
this notice. by mail directly or by email. If you Christine.Sorensen@wdc.usda.gov.
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Dated: March 3, 2016. program, through a national network of certification on Form ED–840P and
Lisa Mensah, non-profit and university-affiliated adjustment proposals may be submitted
Under Secretary, Rural Development. Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers via email to taac@eda.gov or in hard
[FR Doc. 2016–06035 Filed 3–16–16; 8:45 am] (TAACs), each of which serves a copy to EDA at Trade Adjustment
BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P
different geographic service region. EDA Assistance for Firms, 1401 Constitution
certifies firms as eligible to participate Avenue NW., Room 71030, Washington
in the TAAF Program and provides DC 20230.
funding to allow eligible client-firms to
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE III. Data
receive adjustment assistance through
the TAACs. The information collected OMB Control Number: 0610–0091.
Economic Development Administration
on Form ED–840P and relevant Form Number(s): ED–840P.
Proposed Information Collection; supporting documentation is used to Type of Review: Regular submission.
determine if a firm is eligible to Affected Public: Businesses or other
Comment Request; Form ED–840P
participate in the program. In for-profit organizations.
Petition by a Firm for Certification of Estimated Number of Respondents:
Eligibility To Apply for Trade accordance with the Trade Act and
800 (500 petitions for certification and
Adjustment Assistance; Trade EDA’s regulations as set out at 13 CFR
300 adjustment proposals).
Adjustment Assistance for Firms part 315, EDA must verify that the
Estimated Time per Response: 128.2
Program following have occurred: (1) A
hours (8.2 for petitions for certification
significant reduction in the number or
AGENCY: Economic Development and 120 for adjustment proposals).
proportion of the workers in the firm, a Estimated Total Annual Burden
Administration (EDA), Department of reduction in the workers’ wage or work
Commerce. Hours: 40,100 (4,100 for petitions for
hours, or an imminent threat of such certification and 36,000 for adjustment
ACTION: Notice. reductions; (2) sales or production of the proposals).
firm have decreased absolutely, as Estimated Total Annual Cost to
SUMMARY: The Department of defined in EDA’s regulations, or sales or
Commerce, as part of its continuing Public: $1,664,000 ($179,550 for
production, or both, of any article or petitions for certification and
effort to reduce paperwork and service accounting for at least 25
respondent burden, invites the general $1,485,000 for adjustment proposals).
percent of the firm’s sales or production
public and other federal agencies to take has decreased absolutely; and (3) an IV. Request for Comments
this opportunity to comment on the increase in imports of articles or Comments are invited on: (1) Whether
proposed and/or continuing information services like or directly competitive the proposed collection of information
collections, as required by the with those produced or provided by the is necessary for the proper performance
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. petitioning firm, which has contributed of the functions of the agency, including
DATES: Written comments must be importantly to the decline in whether the information shall have
submitted on or before May 16, 2016. employment and sales or production of practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments that firm. Additionally, the firm must agency’s estimate of the burden
and recommendations for the proposed demonstrate that its customers have (including hours and cost) of the
information collection to Jennifer reduced purchases from the firm in proposed collection of information; (3)
Jessup, Departmental Paperwork favor of buying items or services from ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
Clearance Officer, Department of foreign suppliers. The use of the form clarity of the information to be
Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and standardizes and limits the information collected; and (4) ways to minimize the
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, collected as part of the certification burden of the collection of information
DC 20230 (or via the Internet at jjessup@ process and eases the burden on on respondents, including through the
doc.gov. applicants and reviewers alike. use of automated collection techniques
In addition, after being determined or other forms of information
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
eligible for TAAF Program assistance technology.
Requests for additional information or using Form ED–840P, firms must create
copies of the information collection Comments submitted in response to
an EDA-approved adjustment proposal, this notice will be summarized and/or
instrument and instructions should be which is each firm’s business plan to
directed to Miriam Kearse, Lead included in the request for OMB
remain viable in the current global approval of this information collection;
Program Analyst, Trade Adjustment economy, in order to receive financial
Assistance Division, Room 71030, they also will become a matter of public
assistance under the TAAF Program. record.
Economic Development Administration, Each adjustment proposal must meet
1401 Constitution Ave. NW., certain requirements as set out in the Dated: March 14, 2016.
Washington, DC 20230, telephone (202) Trade Act and EDA’s regulation at 13 Glenna Mickelson,
482–3963, facsimile (202) 482–2883 (or CFR 315.6. This notice also includes an Management Analyst, Office of the Chief
via the Internet at mkearse@eda.gov). estimate for adjustment proposals. Information Officer.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: [FR Doc. 2016–06006 Filed 3–16–16; 8:45 am]
II. Method of Collection BILLING CODE 3510–WH–P
I. Abstract Form ED–840P may be obtained in
EDA administers the Trade Portable Document Format (PDF) from
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Adjustment Assistance for Firms EDA or the TAACs upon request. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
(TAAF) Program, which is authorized TAACs are responsible for preparing the
under chapters 3 and 5 of title II of the application on the firm’s behalf. International Trade Administration
Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 Although there is no form associated
Notice of Scope Rulings
U.S.C. 2341 et seq.) (Trade Act), and the with adjustment proposals, they must
Trade Adjustment Assistance meet the requirements for adjustment AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance,
Reauthorization Act of 2015 (Pub. L. proposals set out in EDA’s regulation at International Trade Administration,
114–27) which reauthorized the 13 CFR 315.16. Both petitions for Department of Commerce.
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Document Created: 2016-03-17 00:58:37
Document Modified: 2016-03-17 00:58:37
| 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. | |
| Contact | For more information, please contact your respective Rural Development State Office listed here: http:// www.rd.usda.gov/browse-state. A checklist of all required application information for Section 6025 SECD can be found at: http:// www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/strategic-economic-and-community- development. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 14419 |
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