81 FR 79394 - Webinar on Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Revolving Loan Fund Program Changes and General Updates to PWEDA Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economic Development Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 219 (November 14, 2016)

The Economic Development Administration (``EDA''), U.S. Department of Commerce (``DOC''), will hold a webinar to discuss proposed updates to the agency's regulations implementing the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (``PWEDA''). On October 3, 2016, EDA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (``NPRM'') in the Federal Register at 81 FR 68186. Through this NPRM, EDA is proposing important changes to the regulations governing the Revolving Loan Fund (``RLF'') program that are intended to reflect current best practices and strengthen EDA's efforts to evaluate, monitor, and improve RLF performance by establishing the Risk Analysis System, a risk-based management framework, to evaluate and manage the RLF program. EDA also proposes to reorganize the RLF regulations to improve their readability and clarify the requirements that apply to the distinct phases of an RLF award. In addition, EDA proposes specific changes to RLF requirements to make RLF awards more efficient for Recipients to administer and for EDA to monitor. Through this NPRM EDA proposes important, but less comprehensive updates to other parts of its regulations, including revising definitions, replacing references to superseded regulations to reflect the promulgation of the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements (2 CFR part 200) (``Uniform Guidance''), streamlining the provisions that outline EDA's application process, and clarifying EDA's property management regulations. Given the more comprehensive nature of the changes being proposed to the RLF program, EDA will use this webinar to focus on the proposed RLF changes and explain both the rationale behind those changes and their potential impact. All members of the public are invited to participate.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 219 (Monday, November 14, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 79394]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27293]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 219 / Monday, November 14, 2016 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 79394]]



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration

13 CFR Parts 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 307, 309, and 314


Webinar on Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Revolving Loan Fund 
Program Changes and General Updates to PWEDA Regulations

AGENCY: Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Economic Development Administration (``EDA''), U.S. 
Department of Commerce (``DOC''), will hold a webinar to discuss 
proposed updates to the agency's regulations implementing the Public 
Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (``PWEDA''). On 
October 3, 2016, EDA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(``NPRM'') in the Federal Register at 81 FR 68186. Through this NPRM, 
EDA is proposing important changes to the regulations governing the 
Revolving Loan Fund (``RLF'') program that are intended to reflect 
current best practices and strengthen EDA's efforts to evaluate, 
monitor, and improve RLF performance by establishing the Risk Analysis 
System, a risk-based management framework, to evaluate and manage the 
RLF program. EDA also proposes to reorganize the RLF regulations to 
improve their readability and clarify the requirements that apply to 
the distinct phases of an RLF award. In addition, EDA proposes specific 
changes to RLF requirements to make RLF awards more efficient for 
Recipients to administer and for EDA to monitor. Through this NPRM EDA 
proposes important, but less comprehensive updates to other parts of 
its regulations, including revising definitions, replacing references 
to superseded regulations to reflect the promulgation of the Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements (2 
CFR part 200) (``Uniform Guidance''), streamlining the provisions that 
outline EDA's application process, and clarifying EDA's property 
management regulations. Given the more comprehensive nature of the 
changes being proposed to the RLF program, EDA will use this webinar to 
focus on the proposed RLF changes and explain both the rationale behind 
those changes and their potential impact. All members of the public are 
invited to participate.

DATES: The webinar will be held on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, at 2 
p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

ADDRESSES: The webinar will be held through Adobe Connect. No 
registration is required to participate.
    You may join the webinar using the following link: https://doc-eda.adobeconnect.com/rlf-nprmwebinar/.
    To join by audio conference, please dial the following number: 800-
832-0736. When prompted, please enter the following Conference Room 
Number: 4130458

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  If you have questions about the 
meeting, please contact Mitchell Harrison, Program Analyst, Performance 
and National Programs Division, Economic Development Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Suite 71030, 
Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-4696.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    a. What is the agenda for the webinar? The agenda for the webinar 
includes: (1) Introduction by Tom Guevara, Deputy Assistant Secretary 
for Regional Affairs, EDA, (2) overview of the RLF program, (3) 
explanation of key RLF changes proposed in the NRPM, and (4) public 
questions and comments.
    b. Will the webinar be recorded? Following the webinar, a recording 
of the webinar will be posted on EDA's YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/user/EDACommerce.
    c. May I submit questions or comments during the webinar? You may 
submit a written comment or question during the presentation. We have 
scheduled the last fifteen minutes of the meeting, from 2:45 to 3 p.m., 
to address questions or comments from the public. Please note that this 
public question and comment period may start before 2:45 p.m. if all 
other agenda items have been covered and may end before 3 p.m. if we 
have responded to all submitted questions before that time.
    d. What do I do if I need additional assistance during the webinar? 
For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the teleconference, 
please contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section, as soon as possible.
    e. Can I submit questions after the webinar? In addition to 
submitting questions or comments during the webinar, members of the 
public may also submit a comment in writing until December 2, 2016, as 
indicated in the NPRM, using one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments. All comments received 
are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public 
viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. EDA will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).
     Email: [email protected]. Include ``Comments on EDA's 
regulations'' and Docket No. 160519444-6444-01 in the subject line of 
the message.
     Fax: (202) 482-5671. Please indicate ``Attention: Office 
of Chief Counsel,'' ``Comments on EDA's regulations,'' and Docket No. 
160519444-6444-01 on the cover page.
     Mail: Office of the Chief Counsel, Economic Development 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue 
NW., Suite 72023, Washington, DC 20230. Please indicate ``Comments on 
EDA's regulations'' and Docket No. 160519444-6444-01 on the envelope.

    Dated: November 2, 2016.
Roy K.J. Williams,
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development.
[FR Doc. 2016-27293 Filed 11-10-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-24-P