81_FR_90131 81 FR 89892 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs

81 FR 89892 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
U.S. Census Bureau

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 239 (December 13, 2016)

Page Range89892-89895
FR Document2016-29866

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 239 (Tuesday, December 13, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 13, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 89892-89895]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29866]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Annual Survey 
of Entrepreneurs

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before February 13, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Patrice Norman, U.S. Census Bureau, EWD, 8K151, 
Washington, DC 20233-6600, (301) 763-7198, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau is conducting the 2016 Annual Survey of 
Entrepreneurs (ASE). The ASE asks respondents of employer firms about 
the owner(s) and business characteristics, including questions on the 
gender, ethnicity, race, and veteran status of the principal owner(s). 
The 2016 ASE is conducted as a continuation of an annual collection of 
information on the characteristics of U.S. businesses and owners by 
gender, ethnicity, race, and veteran status. The survey is conducted 
jointly with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a Missouri nonprofit 
corporation and a private foundation exempt from taxes under Section 
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and the Minority Business 
Development Agency (MBDA) for reference years 2014, 2015 and 2016. The 
ASE supplements the five-year Survey of Business Owners (SBO) program 
and provides more timely updates on the status, nature, and scope of 
women-, minority-, and veteran-owned businesses. The ASE statistics are 
used by government program officials, industry organization leaders, 
economic and social analysts, and business entrepreneurs. Examples of 
data uses include:
     To assess business assistance needs and allocate available 
program resources
     To establish and evaluate contract procurement practices 
affecting small and disadvantaged businesses
     To create a framework for planning, directing, and 
assessing programs that promote the activities of disadvantaged groups
     To assess minority-owned businesses by industry and area 
and to educate industry associations, corporations, and government 
entities
     To analyze economic and demographic shifts and differences 
in ownership and performance among geographic areas
     To analyze business operations in comparison to similar 
firms, compute market share, and assess business growth and future 
prospects
    The ASE consists of questions from the 2012 SBO (form SBO-1) with 
additional questions about sources of capital and financial barriers 
that are asked each survey year. The ASE is designed to ask a series of 
new questions each survey year based on a relevant business topic 
determined prior to data collection. Each year the new

[[Page 89893]]

module of questions is submitted to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) for approval. The module selected for the 2016 ASE focuses on 
business advice and planning. The 2016 ASE also includes additional 
questions on business financing relationships, owner demographics, and 
regulations. The Census Bureau is requesting approval to field the 2016 
ASE in July 2017. The following module and additional questions will be 
added for the 2016 ASE:

[cir] Number of Businesses Previously Owned--Prior to establishing, 
purchasing, or acquiring this business, how many previous businesses 
has Owner 1 owned? (Include self-employed businesses.)
    [squ] 0
    [squ] 1
    [squ] 2
    [squ] 3
    [squ] 4
    [squ] 5 or more

[cir] Field of Highest Degree--Prior to establishing, purchasing, or 
acquiring this business, what was the field of the highest degree 
completed for Owner 1? Select all that apply.
    [squ] Natural and Physical Sciences
    [squ] Law or Legal Studies
    [squ] Information Technology or Computer Science
    [squ] Mathematics, Economics, or Statistics
    [squ] Engineering and Related Technologies
    [squ] Architecture and Building
    [squ] Business or Finance
    [squ] Education
    [squ] Health, Medicine, or Pharmacy
    [squ] Social Sciences
    [squ] Humanities or Arts
    [squ] Agriculture, Environmental and Related
    [squ] Food, Hospitality, or Personal Services
    [squ] Other (Specify)
    [squ] No Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate, or Professional Degree

[cir] Business Banking Relationships--In 2016, were this business's 
banking relationships with the same financial institutions as any of 
the owners' personal banking relationships? Banking relationships 
include business checking or savings accounts, credit cards, loans, 
etc. Select one box only.
    [squ] All of the banking relationships were the same
    [squ] Some of the banking relationships were the same
    [squ] None of the banking relationships were the same--Skip to 
Outstanding Loans
    [squ] The owners had no business banking relationships--Skip to 
Outstanding Loans

[cir] Banking Relationship Duration--How long were the owners' 
personal banking relationships in place before financial 
transactions were first conducted by this business? Select one box 
only.
    [squ] 0-1 month
    [squ] 2-5 months
    [squ] 6-12 months
    [squ] More than 12 months

[cir] Outstanding Loans--In 2016, was this business required to 
provide collateral or loan guarantee for any outstanding loan the 
business obtained? Select one box only.
    [squ] Business did not have an outstanding loan
    [squ] Yes
    [squ] No
    [squ] Do not know

[cir] Purchases on Account--In 2016, did this business make any 
purchases on account or using trade credits? Trade credits are 
invoice payment terms a business establishes with their suppliers 
allowing them to purchase goods or services now and at a later date.
    [squ] Yes
    [squ] No
[cir] Negative Impact on Profitability--For 2016, did each of the 
following negatively impact the profitability of this business? 
Select one box in each row.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Yes                   No
Access to financial capital...               [squ]                [squ]
Cost of financial capital.....               [squ]                [squ]
Finding qualified labor.......               [squ]                [squ]
Taxes.........................               [squ]                [squ]
Government regulations                       [squ]                [squ]
 (federal, state and/or local)
Slow business or lost sales...               [squ]                [squ]
Customers or clients not                     [squ]                [squ]
 making payments or paying
 late.........................
The unpredictability of                      [squ]                [squ]
 business conditions..........
Changes or updates in                        [squ]                [squ]
 technology...................
Other (Specify)...............               [squ]                [squ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    [cir] Impact on Regulations--For 2016, which impact did each of 
the following government regulations have on the business 
profitability? Select one box in each row.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Very        Somewhat                    Somewhat        Very      N/
                                          negative      negative       Neutral      positive      positive     A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employee hiring.......................        [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]   [s
                                                                                                              qu
                                                                                                              ]
Workers' compensation.................        [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]   [s
                                                                                                              qu
                                                                                                              ]
Occupational health and safety........        [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]   [s
                                                                                                              qu
                                                                                                              ]
Health insurance......................        [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]   [s
                                                                                                              qu
                                                                                                              ]
Employment records....................        [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]   [s
                                                                                                              qu
                                                                                                              ]
Business and professional licensing...        [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]   [s
                                                                                                              qu
                                                                                                              ]
Building and renovation permits.......        [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]   [s
                                                                                                              qu
                                                                                                              ]
Business registration.................        [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]   [s
                                                                                                              qu
                                                                                                              ]
Health permits and inspections........        [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]   [s
                                                                                                              qu
                                                                                                              ]
Environmental.........................        [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]   [s
                                                                                                              qu
                                                                                                              ]
Trade.................................        [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]   [s
                                                                                                              qu
                                                                                                              ]
Financial regulations.................        [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]   [s
                                                                                                              qu
                                                                                                              ]
Other (Specify).......................        [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]         [squ]   [s
                                                                                                              qu
                                                                                                              ]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[cir] Regulations and Starting or Acquiring the Business--What 
impact did regulations have on the ability to initially start or 
acquire this business?
    [squ] Positive impact
    [squ] Negative impact
    [squ] No impact
    [squ] Do not know

[cir] Regulations and Growth of the Business--During 2016, what 
impact did regulations have on expanding the business operations, 
such as by

[[Page 89894]]

increasing production, adding locations, or attaining new customers?
    [squ] Positive impact
    [squ] Negative impact
    [squ] No impact
    [squ] Business did not plan to expand operations
    [squ] Do not know

[cir] Reasons for Seeking Business Advice--During 2016, what was 
this business's primary reason for seeking paid or unpaid business 
advice or mentoring from others? Select all that apply.
    [squ] Business finances
    [squ] Employee relations (for example, hiring, workforce 
retention, employee performance/growth, employee separation)
    [squ] Management and day-to-day operations
    [squ] Product development and innovation
    [squ] Investment and access to capital
    [squ] Succession planning and exit strategy
    [squ] Increasing sales
    [squ] Reducing costs
    [squ] Taxes and accounting
    [squ] Regulatory compliance
    [squ] Technology/Information Technology
    [squ] Key performance indicators and business targets
    [squ] Copyrights, trademarks, and patents
    [squ] Did not seek advice/mentoring--Skip to Exit Strategy

[cir] Providers of Business Advice--During 2016, from whom did this 
business seek the advice or mentoring selected in the `Reasons for 
Seeking Business Advice' question? Select all that apply.
    [squ] Family (Family refers to spouses, unmarried partners, 
parents/guardians, children, siblings, or close relatives.)
    [squ] Friends
    [squ] Professional colleagues
    [squ] Employees
    [squ] Professional consultants
    [squ] Customers
    [squ] Suppliers

    [squ] Government-supported technical assistance programs (for 
example, Small Business Administration (SBA), Small Business 
Development Center, Women's Business Center, or Minority Business 
Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center)
    [squ] Other (Specify)

[cir] Outcome of Advice or Mentoring--During 2016, did the advice or 
mentoring selected in the `Reasons for Seeking Business Advice' 
question lead to positive business outcomes or changes in business 
operations that are anticipated to be positive? delete quotes
    [squ] Yes
    [squ] No
[cir] Exit Strategy--Which of the following best describes this 
business's current exit strategy for any of the owners? An exit 
strategy is a plan the business owners create to describe how they 
intend to exit the business and capture their investment. Select all 
that apply.
    [squ] Walk away from the business
    [squ] Liquidate or sell off assets and repay the business's 
liabilities
    [squ] Sell the business to employees or managers (for example, 
offer an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP), management buyout, 
or employee buyout)
    [squ] Sell or merge the business with another firm
    [squ] Sell the business to another individual that is not an 
owner of the same business
    [squ] Sell or transfer ownership to another owner of the same 
business
    [squ] Sell or transfer ownership of the business to a family 
member(s) that is not an owner of the same business
    [squ] Prepare an Initial Public Offering (IPO)
    [squ] Other (Specify)
    [squ] Business does not currently have an exit strategy

    The module selected for the 2014 ASE focused on business innovation 
and research and development (R&D) activity. The goal of the 2014 
module was to identify new forms of innovation, identify 
characteristics of businesses that are innovators, and measure R&D 
activity conducted by entrepreneurs. The questions selected asked about 
process and product innovation, R&D costs, R&D funding, R&D purchases, 
and R&D employees. The questions were based on the Microbusiness 
Innovation Science and Technology Survey (MIST) conducted by the 
National Science Foundation's (NSF) National Center for Science and 
Engineering Statistics (NCSES). The 2014 ASE module was approved by OMB 
on September 4, 2015, and fielded in September 2015. Results from the 
2014 ASE were published in September 2016.
    The module selected for the 2015 ASE focused on business management 
practices. The goal of the 2015 module was to measure how management 
practices impact productivity and growth. The questions selected asked 
about the use of targets and key performance indicators, record-
keeping, and personnel practices. Some questions on the 2015 ASE module 
were based on the Management and Organizational Practices Survey (MOPS) 
conducted by the Census Bureau. The 2015 ASE module was approved by OMB 
on June 1, 2016, and fielded in July 2016. Results from the 2015 ASE 
are tentatively scheduled to be published in July 2017.
    Businesses which reported business activity on any one of the 
following Internal Revenue Service tax forms are eligible for 
selection: 1040 (Schedule C), ``Profit or Loss from Business (Sole 
Proprietorship); 1065, ``U.S. Return of Partnership Income''; 941, 
``Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return''; 944, ``Employer's Annual 
Federal Tax Return''; or any one of the 1120 corporate tax forms. The 
ASE only requests responses from businesses filing the 941, 944, or 
1120 tax forms. Estimates for businesses filing the 1040 or 1065 tax 
returns are created using statistical modeling of administrative data 
and will only provide data by race, gender, ethnicity, and veteran 
status by geography, industry, and size of firm.
    For the 2016 ASE, cognitive interviews were conducted under 
separate clearance with 15 to 20 businesses in two rounds. Round one 
interviews were conducted in October 2016, followed by round two in 
December 2016. The questionnaire and the interview protocol were 
updated for each round to reflect changes based on testing feedback. 
The 2016 ASE data collection period is planned for July 2017 through 
December 2017. Results of the 2016 ASE are tentatively scheduled to be 
published in July 2018.
    In preparation for the 2017 SBO, the 2016 ASE will include a set of 
questions to test new content for a small subset of respondents. 
Approximately 2,900 respondents (one percent of the survey sample) will 
follow an alternate path of questions as a test for the 2017 SBO. The 
majority of respondents will follow the traditional survey path (the 
base ASE questions plus the module). The test respondents will also 
follow the traditional survey path and module, with the addition of six 
questions on ownership (noted below). The test path will provide more 
comprehensive information as input into the 2017 SBO content 
development. This method of testing will offer a much larger pool of 
respondents than cognitive testing alone would allow. The test path 
questions include:

[cir] Ownership or Operation--In 2016, was this business owned or 
operated by spouses or unmarried partners?
    [squ] Yes
    [squ] No (skip to Family Ownership)

[cir] Joint Ownership--In 2016, was this business jointly owned by 
spouses or unmarried partners?
    [squ] Yes
    [squ] No

[cir] Equal Operation--In 2016, was this business equally operated 
by spouses or unmarried partners?
    [squ] Yes
    [squ] No, primarily operated by Owner 1 (autofill)
    [squ] No, primarily operated by Owner 2 (autofill)

[cir] Family Ownership--In 2016, did two or more members of one 
family own more than 50% of this business? (Family refers to 
spouses, unmarried partners, parents/guardians, children, siblings 
or close relatives.)
    [squ] Yes
    [squ] No

[cir] Number of Owners--In 2016, how many people owned this 
business?
    [ssquf] Do not combine two or more owners to create one owner.

[[Page 89895]]

    [ssquf] Count spouses and partners as separate owners.
    [squ] 1 person
    [squ] 2 people
    [squ] 3 people
    [squ] 4 people
    [squ] 5-10 people
    [squ] 11 or more people
    [squ] Business is owned only by a parent company, estate, trust, 
or entity
    [squ] Business is owned by a combination of individuals and 
parent companies, estates, trusts, or entities

[cir] 10% or More Ownership--In 2016, did at least one person own 
10% or more of this business? (Do not count parent companies, 
estates, trusts or other entities).
    [squ] Yes
    [squ] No--Select ``No'' ONLY if no person owned 10% or more of 
this business

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau uses a letter-only mail out with an electronic-
only data collection for the ASE. The mail out will be conducted from 
the National Processing Center in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Two mail 
follow-ups to nonrespondents will be conducted at approximately one-
month intervals. The second follow-up of the 2014 ASE included a 
certified mailing for all nonrespondents. The 2015 ASE included a 
certified mailing for only a selected group of nonrespondents based on 
their sampling frame; the other nonrespondents received a standard 
first-class follow-up mailing. The 2016 ASE collection strategy will be 
similar to the 2015 ASE. Select nonrespondents will receive a certified 
mailing for the second follow-up if needed.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0986.
    Form Number(s): ASE-L1 & ASE-L2, Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs 
initial letter and follow-up letter.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Large and small employer businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 290,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 35 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 169,167.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 8(b), 131 
and, 182; Section 1(a)(3) of Executive Order 11625.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Sheleen Dumas,
PRA Departmental Lead, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-29866 Filed 12-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-07-P

89892 Notices Federal Register Vol. 81, No. 239 Tuesday, December 13, 2016 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER Act (Title VII, Pub. L. 108–447) directed I. Abstract contains documents other than rules or the Secretary of Agriculture to publish The Census Bureau is conducting the proposed rules that are applicable to the a six month advance notice on the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, 2016 Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs Federal Register whenever new (ASE). The ASE asks respondents of committee meetings, agency decisions and recreation fee areas are established. rulings, delegations of authority, filing of employer firms about the owner(s) and petitions and applications and agency Once public involvement is complete, business characteristics, including statements of organization and functions are these new fees will be reviewed by a questions on the gender, ethnicity, race, examples of documents appearing in this Recreation Resource Advisory and veteran status of the principal section. Committee prior to a final decision and owner(s). The 2016 ASE is conducted as implementation. People wanting to a continuation of an annual collection of reserve these cabins would need to do information on the characteristics of DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE so through the National Recreation U.S. businesses and owners by gender, Reservation Service, at ethnicity, race, and veteran status. The Forest Service www.recreation.gov or by calling 1–877– survey is conducted jointly with the 444–6777 when it becomes available. Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a Notice of Proposed New Fee Site; Federal Lands Recreation Dated: December 6, 2016. Missouri nonprofit corporation and a Enhancement Act (Title VIII. Pub. L. Brian M. Pentecost, private foundation exempt from taxes 108–447) Forest Supervisor. under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal [FR Doc. 2016–29847 Filed 12–12–16; 8:45 am] Revenue Code, and the Minority AGENCY: Manti-La Sal National Forest, BILLING CODE 3411–15–P Business Development Agency (MBDA) Forest Service, USDA. for reference years 2014, 2015 and 2016. ACTION: Notice of proposed new fee site. The ASE supplements the five-year DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Survey of Business Owners (SBO) SUMMARY: The Manti-La Sal National program and provides more timely Forest is proposing to charge a fee at the U.S. Census Bureau updates on the status, nature, and scope Mammoth Administrative Site. of women-, minority-, and veteran- Mammoth and Lake Cabins would be Proposed Information Collection; owned businesses. The ASE statistics available June 5 to September 30 at Comment Request; Annual Survey of are used by government program $50.00 per night each. Either one or Entrepreneurs officials, industry organization leaders, both cabins could be rented, but if both economic and social analysts, and are rented, they must be to the same AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce. business entrepreneurs. Examples of customer. Fees are assessed based on data uses include: ACTION: Notice. the level of amenities and services • To assess business assistance needs provided, cost of operations and and allocate available program resources SUMMARY: The Department of maintenance, and market assessment. Commerce, as part of its continuing • To establish and evaluate contract The fee is proposed and will be procurement practices affecting small effort to reduce paperwork and determined upon further analysis and and disadvantaged businesses respondent burden, invites the general public comment. Funds from fees would public and other Federal agencies to • To create a framework for planning, be used for the continued operation and directing, and assessing programs that take this opportunity to comment on improvements of these rental cabins. promote the activities of disadvantaged proposed and/or continuing information An Analysis of the nearby private groups collections, as required by the rental cabins with similar amenities Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. • To assess minority-owned shows that the proposed fees are businesses by industry and area and to DATES: To ensure consideration, written reasonable and typical of similar sites in educate industry associations, the area. comments must be submitted on or corporations, and government entities before February 13, 2017. DATES: Comments will be accepted • To analyze economic and ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments demographic shifts and differences in through January 31, 2017. New fees to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental ownership and performance among would begin the spring of 2017. Paperwork Clearance Officer, geographic areas ADDRESSES: Brian Pentecost, Forest Department of Commerce, Room 6616, Supervisor, Manti-La Sal National • To analyze business operations in 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., comparison to similar firms, compute Forest, 599 West Price River Drive, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Price, UT 84501. market share, and assess business Internet at jjessup@doc.gov). growth and future prospects FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The ASE consists of questions from Jessica Jewkes, Recreation Specialist, pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES Requests for additional information or the 2012 SBO (form SBO–1) with 435–636–3587. Information about copies of the information collection additional questions about sources of proposed fee changes can also be found instrument(s) and instructions should capital and financial barriers that are on the Manti-La Sal National Forest be directed to Patrice Norman, U.S. asked each survey year. The ASE is Web site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/ Census Bureau, EWD, 8K151, designed to ask a series of new mantilasal. Washington, DC 20233–6600, (301) 763– questions each survey year based on a SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 7198, Patrice.C.Norman@census.gov. relevant business topic determined prior Federal Recreation Lands Enhancement SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: to data collection. Each year the new VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:08 Dec 12, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\13DEN1.SGM 13DEN1

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 13, 2016 / Notices 89893 module of questions is submitted to the b Law or Legal Studies Æ Banking Relationship Duration—How long Office of Management and Budget b Information Technology or Computer were the owners’ personal banking (OMB) for approval. The module Science relationships in place before financial b Mathematics, Economics, or Statistics transactions were first conducted by this selected for the 2016 ASE focuses on b Engineering and Related Technologies business? Select one box only. business advice and planning. The 2016 b Architecture and Building b 0–1 month ASE also includes additional questions b Business or Finance b 2–5 months on business financing relationships, b Education b 6–12 months owner demographics, and regulations. b Health, Medicine, or Pharmacy b More than 12 months The Census Bureau is requesting b Social Sciences Æ Outstanding Loans—In 2016, was this approval to field the 2016 ASE in July b Humanities or Arts b Agriculture, Environmental and Related business required to provide collateral or 2017. The following module and loan guarantee for any outstanding loan b Food, Hospitality, or Personal Services additional questions will be added for the business obtained? Select one box b Other (Specify) the 2016 ASE: b No Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate, or only. Æ Number of Businesses Previously Professional Degree b Business did not have an outstanding Owned—Prior to establishing, loan Æ Business Banking Relationships—In 2016, purchasing, or acquiring this business, b Yes were this business’s banking how many previous businesses has relationships with the same financial b No Owner 1 owned? (Include self-employed institutions as any of the owners’ b Do not know businesses.) personal banking relationships? Banking Æ Purchases on Account—In 2016, did this b 0 relationships include business checking business make any purchases on account b 1 or savings accounts, credit cards, loans, or using trade credits? Trade credits are b 2 etc. Select one box only. invoice payment terms a business b 3 b All of the banking relationships were establishes with their suppliers allowing b 4 the same them to purchase goods or services now b 5 or more b Some of the banking relationships were and at a later date. Æ Field of Highest Degree—Prior to the same b Yes establishing, purchasing, or acquiring b None of the banking relationships were b No this business, what was the field of the the same—Skip to Outstanding Loans Æ Negative Impact on Profitability—For highest degree completed for Owner 1? b The owners had no business banking 2016, did each of the following Select all that apply. relationships—Skip to Outstanding negatively impact the profitability of this b Natural and Physical Sciences Loans business? Select one box in each row. Yes No Access to financial capital ....................................................................................................................... b b Cost of financial capital ........................................................................................................................... b b Finding qualified labor ............................................................................................................................. b b Taxes ....................................................................................................................................................... b b Government regulations (federal, state and/or local) .............................................................................. b b Slow business or lost sales ..................................................................................................................... b b Customers or clients not making payments or paying late ..................................................................... b b The unpredictability of business conditions ............................................................................................. b b Changes or updates in technology .......................................................................................................... b b Other (Specify) ......................................................................................................................................... b b Æ Impact on Regulations—For 2016, which regulations have on the business impact did each of the following government profitability? Select one box in each row. Very Somewhat Somewhat Very Neutral N/A negative negative positive positive Employee hiring ............................................................... b b b b b b Workers’ compensation ................................................... b b b b b b Occupational health and safety ....................................... b b b b b b Health insurance .............................................................. b b b b b b Employment records ........................................................ b b b b b b Business and professional licensing ................................ b b b b b b Building and renovation permits ...................................... b b b b b b Business registration ........................................................ b b b b b b Health permits and inspections ....................................... b b b b b b Environmental .................................................................. b b b b b b Trade ................................................................................ b b b b b b Financial regulations ........................................................ b b b b b b pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES Other (Specify) ................................................................. b b b b b b Æ Regulations and Starting or Acquiring the b Positive impact Æ Regulations and Growth of the Business— Business—What impact did regulations b Negative impact During 2016, what impact did have on the ability to initially start or b No impact regulations have on expanding the acquire this business? b Do not know business operations, such as by VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:08 Dec 12, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\13DEN1.SGM 13DEN1

89894 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 13, 2016 / Notices increasing production, adding locations, Employee Stock Ownership Program or 1065 tax returns are created using or attaining new customers? (ESOP), management buyout, or statistical modeling of administrative b Positive impact employee buyout) data and will only provide data by race, b Negative impact b Sell or merge the business with another gender, ethnicity, and veteran status by b No impact firm b Business did not plan to expand b Sell the business to another individual geography, industry, and size of firm. operations that is not an owner of the same business For the 2016 ASE, cognitive b Do not know b Sell or transfer ownership to another interviews were conducted under Æ Reasons for Seeking Business Advice— owner of the same business separate clearance with 15 to 20 During 2016, what was this business’s b Sell or transfer ownership of the businesses in two rounds. Round one primary reason for seeking paid or business to a family member(s) that is interviews were conducted in October unpaid business advice or mentoring not an owner of the same business 2016, followed by round two in from others? Select all that apply. b Prepare an Initial Public Offering (IPO) b Other (Specify) December 2016. The questionnaire and b Business finances the interview protocol were updated for b Employee relations (for example, hiring, b Business does not currently have an exit strategy each round to reflect changes based on workforce retention, employee performance/growth, employee The module selected for the 2014 ASE testing feedback. The 2016 ASE data separation) focused on business innovation and collection period is planned for July b Management and day-to-day operations research and development (R&D) 2017 through December 2017. Results of b Product development and innovation activity. The goal of the 2014 module the 2016 ASE are tentatively scheduled b Investment and access to capital was to identify new forms of innovation, to be published in July 2018. b Succession planning and exit strategy In preparation for the 2017 SBO, the b Increasing sales identify characteristics of businesses that are innovators, and measure R&D 2016 ASE will include a set of questions b Reducing costs to test new content for a small subset of b Taxes and accounting activity conducted by entrepreneurs. The questions selected asked about respondents. Approximately 2,900 b Regulatory compliance b Technology/Information Technology process and product innovation, R&D respondents (one percent of the survey b Key performance indicators and costs, R&D funding, R&D purchases, and sample) will follow an alternate path of business targets R&D employees. The questions were questions as a test for the 2017 SBO. b Copyrights, trademarks, and patents based on the Microbusiness Innovation The majority of respondents will follow b Did not seek advice/mentoring—Skip to Science and Technology Survey (MIST) the traditional survey path (the base Exit Strategy ASE questions plus the module). The conducted by the National Science Æ Providers of Business Advice—During Foundation’s (NSF) National Center for test respondents will also follow the 2016, from whom did this business seek traditional survey path and module, the advice or mentoring selected in the Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES). The 2014 ASE module was with the addition of six questions on ‘Reasons for Seeking Business Advice’ ownership (noted below). The test path question? Select all that apply. approved by OMB on September 4, 2015, and fielded in September 2015. will provide more comprehensive b Family (Family refers to spouses, unmarried partners, parents/guardians, Results from the 2014 ASE were information as input into the 2017 SBO children, siblings, or close relatives.) published in September 2016. content development. This method of b Friends The module selected for the 2015 ASE testing will offer a much larger pool of b Professional colleagues focused on business management respondents than cognitive testing alone b Employees practices. The goal of the 2015 module would allow. The test path questions b Professional consultants was to measure how management include: b Customers b Suppliers practices impact productivity and Æ Ownership or Operation—In 2016, was growth. The questions selected asked this business owned or operated by b Government-supported technical spouses or unmarried partners? assistance programs (for example, Small about the use of targets and key performance indicators, record-keeping, b Yes Business Administration (SBA), Small b No (skip to Family Ownership) Business Development Center, Women’s and personnel practices. Some Business Center, or Minority Business questions on the 2015 ASE module were Æ Joint Ownership—In 2016, was this Development Agency (MBDA) Business based on the Management and business jointly owned by spouses or Center) unmarried partners? Organizational Practices Survey (MOPS) b Yes b Other (Specify) conducted by the Census Bureau. The b No Æ Outcome of Advice or Mentoring—During 2015 ASE module was approved by 2016, did the advice or mentoring Æ Equal Operation—In 2016, was this OMB on June 1, 2016, and fielded in business equally operated by spouses or selected in the ‘Reasons for Seeking July 2016. Results from the 2015 ASE Business Advice’ question lead to unmarried partners? are tentatively scheduled to be b Yes positive business outcomes or changes in business operations that are anticipated published in July 2017. b No, primarily operated by Owner 1 to be positive? delete quotes Businesses which reported business (autofill) b Yes activity on any one of the following b No, primarily operated by Owner 2 b No Internal Revenue Service tax forms are (autofill) Æ Exit Strategy—Which of the following best eligible for selection: 1040 (Schedule C), Æ Family Ownership—In 2016, did two or describes this business’s current exit ‘‘Profit or Loss from Business (Sole more members of one family own more strategy for any of the owners? An exit Proprietorship); 1065, ‘‘U.S. Return of than 50% of this business? (Family refers to spouses, unmarried partners, parents/ pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES strategy is a plan the business owners Partnership Income’’; 941, ‘‘Employer’s create to describe how they intend to exit guardians, children, siblings or close Quarterly Federal Tax Return’’; 944, relatives.) the business and capture their ‘‘Employer’s Annual Federal Tax investment. Select all that apply. b Yes b Walk away from the business Return’’; or any one of the 1120 b No b Liquidate or sell off assets and repay the corporate tax forms. The ASE only Æ Number of Owners—In 2016, how many business’s liabilities requests responses from businesses people owned this business? b Sell the business to employees or filing the 941, 944, or 1120 tax forms. D Do not combine two or more owners to managers (for example, offer an Estimates for businesses filing the 1040 create one owner. 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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 13, 2016 / Notices 89895 D Count spouses and partners as separate whether the information shall have In April 2016, the Department owners. practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the received multiple timely requests to b 1 person agency’s estimate of the burden conduct an administrative review of the b 2 people antidumping duty order on drawn (including hours and cost) of the b 3 people b 4 people proposed collection of information; (c) stainless steel sinks from the PRC. b 5–10 people ways to enhance the quality, utility, and On June 6, 2016, in accordance with b 11 or more people clarity of the information to be section 751(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930, b Business is owned only by a parent collected; and (d) ways to minimize the as amended (the Act), the Department company, estate, trust, or entity burden of the collection of information published in the Federal Register a b Business is owned by a combination of on respondents, including through the notice of initiation of an administrative individuals and parent companies, use of automated collection techniques review of the AD order.2 The estates, trusts, or entities or other forms of information administrative review was initiated with Æ 10% or More Ownership—In 2016, did at technology. respect to 32 companies, and covers the least one person own 10% or more of Comments submitted in response to period April 1, 2015, through March 31, this business? (Do not count parent this notice will be summarized and/or 2016. Subsequent to the initiation of the companies, estates, trusts or other administrative review, the requesting included in the request for OMB entities). approval of this information collection; parties timely withdrew their review b Yes b No—Select ‘‘No’’ ONLY if no person they also will become a matter of public requests for 19 of these companies, as owned 10% or more of this business record. discussed below. II. Method of Collection Sheleen Dumas, Partial Rescission of Review PRA Departmental Lead, Office of the Chief Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1), the The Census Bureau uses a letter-only Information Officer. Department will rescind an mail out with an electronic-only data collection for the ASE. The mail out will [FR Doc. 2016–29866 Filed 12–12–16; 8:45 am] administrative review, in whole or in be conducted from the National BILLING CODE 3510–07–P part, if a party that requested a review Processing Center in Jeffersonville, withdraws its request within 90 days of Indiana. Two mail follow-ups to the date of publication of notice of DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE initiation of the requested review. All nonrespondents will be conducted at approximately one-month intervals. The requesting parties withdrew their International Trade Administration respective requests for an administrative second follow-up of the 2014 ASE included a certified mailing for all [A–570–983] review of the following companies nonrespondents. The 2015 ASE within 90 days of the date of publication included a certified mailing for only a Drawn Stainless Steel Sinks From the of the Initiation Notice: 3 Elkay (China) selected group of nonrespondents based People’s Republic of China: Partial Kitchen Solutions, Co., Ltd.; Foshan on their sampling frame; the other Rescission of Antidumping Duty Shunde MingHao Kitchen Utensils Co., nonrespondents received a standard Administrative Review; 2015–2016 Ltd.; Franke Asia Sourcing Ltd.; Grand first-class follow-up mailing. The 2016 AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, Hill Work Company; Guangdong G-Top ASE collection strategy will be similar International Trade Administration, Import & Export Co., Ltd.; Hangzhou to the 2015 ASE. Select nonrespondents Department of Commerce. Heng’s Industries Co., Ltd.; Hubei will receive a certified mailing for the Foshan Success Imp & Exp Co. Ltd.; J&C SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce second follow-up if needed. Industries Enterprise Limited; Jiangmen (the Department) is partially rescinding Pioneer Import & Export Co., Ltd.; III. Data its administrative review of the Jiangmen Xinhe Stainless Steel Products antidumping duty order on drawn Co., Ltd.; Jiangxi Zoje Kitchen & Bath OMB Control Number: 0607–0986. stainless steel sinks from the People’s Form Number(s): ASE–L1 & ASE–L2, Industry Co., Ltd.; Ningbo Oulin Republic of China (PRC) for the period Kitchen Utensils Co., Ltd.; Primy Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs initial of review (POR) April 1, 2015, through Cooperation Limited; Shenzhen letter and follow-up letter. March 31, 2016. Kehuaxing Industrial Ltd.; Shunde Type of Review: Regular submission. Affected Public: Large and small DATES: Effective December 13, 2016. Foodstuffs Import & Export Company employer businesses. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Limited of Guangdong; Shunde Native Estimated Number of Respondents: Brandon Custard, Enforcement and Produce Import and Export Co., Ltd. of 290,000. Compliance, International Trade Guangdong; Zhongshan Newecan Estimated Time per Response: 35 Administration, U.S. Department of Enterprise Development Corporation; minutes. Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue Zhongshan Silk Imp. & Exp. Group Co., Estimated Total Annual Burden NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: Ltd. of Guangdong; and Zhuhai Kohler Hours: 169,167. (202) 482–1823. Kitchen & Bathroom Products Co., Ltd. Estimated Total Annual Cost to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public: $0. to Request Administrative Review, 81 FR 18826 Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory. Background (April 1, 2016). Legal Authority: Title 13, United On April 1, 2016, the Department 2 See Initiation of Antidumping and States Code, Sections 8(b), 131 and, 182; Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews, 81 FR published in the Federal Register a 36268 (June 6, 2016) (Initiation Notice). pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES Section 1(a)(3) of Executive Order notice of ‘‘Opportunity to Request 3 See Letter from Elkay Manufacturing Company 11625. Administrative Review’’ of the (the petitioner) to the Department dated August 18, IV. Request for Comments antidumping duty order on drawn 2016. While the petitioner also submitted a letter stainless steel sinks from the PRC for the on September 6, 2016, withdrawing its request for Comments are invited on: (a) Whether an administrative review of Guangdong Dongyuan POR (AD order).1 Kitchenware Industrial Co., Ltd. and Guangdong the proposed collection of information Yingao Kitchen Utensils Co., Ltd., we note that is necessary for the proper performance 1 See Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, other parties requested administrative reviews of of the functions of the agency, including Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Opportunity these companies that were not withdrawn. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:08 Dec 12, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\13DEN1.SGM 13DEN1


Document Created: 2016-12-13 02:44:59
Document Modified: 2016-12-13 02:44:59
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesTo ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on or before February 13, 2017.
ContactRequests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Patrice Norman, U.S. Census Bureau, EWD, 8K151, Washington, DC 20233-6600, (301) 763-7198, [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 89892 
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