82 FR 49175 - Annual Business Survey
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 204 (October 24, 2017)
Bureau of the Census
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 204 (October 24, 2017)
| Page Range | 49175-49176 | |
| FR Document | 2017-23041 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 24, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 49175-49176] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-23041] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of the Census [Docket Number 170912889-7889-01] Annual Business Survey AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of consideration and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is considering a proposal to conduct an Annual Business Survey (ABS). Based on information and recommendations received by the Census Bureau, we understand that the data have significant application to the needs of other government agencies and the public. The ABS will provide the only comprehensive data on business owner demographics and business characteristics, including financing, research and development (for microbusinesses), and innovation. These data are not publicly available from nongovernment or other governmental sources. DATES: Written comments on this notice must be submitted on or before November 24, 2017. ADDRESSES: Please direct all written comments to Aneta Erdie, U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Reimbursable Surveys Division (ERD), 6H139, Washington, DC 20233-6600, (301) 763-4841, Aneta.Erdie@census.gov. 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, ERD, 8K151, Washington, DC 20233-6600, (301) 763-7198, Patrice.C.Norman@census.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Census Bureau, with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), is considering a plan to conduct an ABS for the 2017-2021 survey years. The Proposed ABS will be conducted under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Sections 8(b), 131, and 182; and Title 42, United States Code, Sections 1861-76 (National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended). The ABS is a new survey designed to combine Census Bureau firm-level collections to reduce respondent burden, increase data quality, reduce operational costs, and operate more efficiently. The ABS replaces the five-year Survey of Business Owners (SBO) for employer businesses, the Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs (ASE), and the Business Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation for Microbusinesses (BRDI-M) surveys. The SBO has been conducted as part of the economic census every five years since 1972 to collect selected economic and demographic characteristics for businesses and business owners by gender, ethnicity, race, and veteran status for both employer and nonemployer businesses. The ASE was conducted for three reference years (2014, 2015, and 2016) as a supplement to the SBO to provide more frequent data on economic and demographic characteristics for businesses and business owners by gender, ethnicity, race, and veteran status for employer businesses. The BRDI-M survey was first fielded in 2016 as an expansion to the Business R&D and Innovation Survey (BRDI-S) to measure firm innovation and investigate the incidence of R&D activities in growing sectors, such as small business enterprises not covered by BRDI-S. Government program officials, industry organization leaders, economic and social analysts, business entrepreneurs, and domestic and foreign researchers in academia, business, and government will use statistics from the new ABS. Estimates produced on owner demographic data may be used to assess business assistance needs in order to allocate available program resources, and to create a framework for planning, directing, and assessing programs that promote the activities of disadvantaged groups. Estimates also may be used to assess minority- owned businesses by industry and area; to educate industry associations, corporations, and government entities; to analyze business operations in comparison to similar firms; to compute market share; and, to assess business growth and future prospects. Estimates produced on R&D and innovation may be used to compare R&D costs across industries, determine where R&D activity is conducted geographically, and identify the types of businesses with R&D. Estimates may be used to contribute to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) system of national accounts; to increase investments in research and development; to strengthen education and encourage entrepreneurship; and to [[Page 49176]] compare business innovation in the United States to that of other countries. The ABS would cover all domestic, nonfarm employer businesses with operations during the survey year. Nonemployer businesses would not be within the scope of the ABS. The Census Bureau will submit a separate request for approval to collect business and owner characteristics from nonemployer businesses if it is determined that a collection is needed to produce those estimates. The ABS would collect the following information from employer businesses: --Owner characteristics, including the gender, ethnicity, race, and veteran status of the principal owner(s) from all firms in the sample; --Various business characteristics, including financing, from all firms in the sample; --Research and development activity and costs from firms with less than 10 employees; and --Innovation practices from all firms in the sample. Additional owner topics include military service, owner acquisition, job functions, number of hours worked, primary income, prior business ownership, age of owner, education and field of degree, citizenship and place of birth, and reason for owning the business. Other business topics include number of owners and percent ownership, family owned and operated, business aspirations, funding sources, profitability, types of customers, types of workers, employee benefits, home operation, Web site use, and business activity. Starting with the 2018 survey, the ABS may include new module questions each year based on relevant business topics. Potential topics include technological advances, Internet usage, management and business practices, exporting practices, and globalization. The draft content for the ABS will be cognitively tested with approximately 20 businesses. The questionnaire and interview protocol will be used to assess the feasibility and merit of suggested changes that arise from the testing. The 2017 ABS will sample approximately 850,000 employer businesses to produce statistics that are more detailed. Annually from 2018-2021, the survey sample will be reduced to approximately 300,000 businesses to reduce respondent burden. Businesses which reported business activity on Internal Revenue Service tax forms 941, ``Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return;'' 944, ``Employer's Annual Federal Tax Return;'' or any one of the 1120 corporate tax forms will be eligible for selection. The ABS will be collected using only electronic instruments. Respondents will receive a letter notifying them of their requirement to respond and how to access the survey. Responses will be due approximately 30 days from receipt. Select businesses will receive a due date reminder via a letter prior to the due date. Additionally, two mail follow-ups to nonrespondents will be conducted at approximately one-month intervals. Select nonrespondents will receive a certified mailing for the second follow-up if needed. Paperwork Reduction Act Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) unless that collection of information displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. In accordance with the PRA, 44 U.S.C., Chapter 45, the Census Bureau will submit a request for approval to the OMB for approval of the ABS. The Census Bureau previously published a notice in the Federal Register on August 7, 2017 (82 FR 36728) informing the public of this planned submission and inviting public comment. Dated: October 18, 2017. Ron S. Jarmin, Associate Director for Economic Programs, Performing the Non-Exclusive Functions and Duties of the Director Bureau of the Census. [FR Doc. 2017-23041 Filed 10-23-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 204 / Tuesday, October 24, 2017 / Notices 49175
discussion by dialing the following exceptional circumstance of limited a new survey designed to combine
Conference Call Toll-Free Number: 1– staffing and no DFO availability. Census Bureau firm-level collections to
877–419–6600; Conference ID: 5627103. Dated: October 19, 2017. reduce respondent burden, increase data
Please be advised that before being David Mussatt,
quality, reduce operational costs, and
placed into the conference call, the operate more efficiently. The ABS
Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit.
operator will ask callers to provide their replaces the five-year Survey of
names, their organizational affiliations [FR Doc. 2017–23037 Filed 10–23–17; 8:45 am]
Business Owners (SBO) for employer
(if any), and an email address (if BILLING CODE P businesses, the Annual Survey of
available) prior to placing callers into Entrepreneurs (ASE), and the Business
the conference room. Callers can expect Research and Development (R&D) and
to incur charges for calls they initiate DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Innovation for Microbusinesses
over wireless lines, and the Commission (BRDI–M) surveys. The SBO has been
will not refund any incurred charges. Bureau of the Census conducted as part of the economic
Callers will incur no charge for calls [Docket Number 170912889–7889–01] census every five years since 1972 to
they initiate over land-line connections collect selected economic and
to the toll-free phone number. Annual Business Survey demographic characteristics for
Persons with hearing impairments businesses and business owners by
may also follow the discussion by first AGENCY: Bureau of the Census,
gender, ethnicity, race, and veteran
calling the Federal Relay Service (FRS) Department of Commerce.
status for both employer and
at 1–800–977–8339 and provide the FRS ACTION: Notice of consideration and nonemployer businesses. The ASE was
operator with the Conference Call Toll- request for comments. conducted for three reference years
Free Number: 1–877–419–6600, (2014, 2015, and 2016) as a supplement
Conference ID: 5627103. Members of the SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
the Bureau of the Census (Census to the SBO to provide more frequent
public are invited to submit written data on economic and demographic
comments; the comments must be Bureau) is considering a proposal to
conduct an Annual Business Survey characteristics for businesses and
received in the regional office by Friday, business owners by gender, ethnicity,
November 24, 2017. Written comments (ABS). Based on information and
recommendations received by the race, and veteran status for employer
may be mailed to the Rocky Mountain businesses. The BRDI–M survey was
Regional Office, U.S. Commission on Census Bureau, we understand that the
data have significant application to the first fielded in 2016 as an expansion to
Civil Rights, 1961 Stout Street, Suite the Business R&D and Innovation
13–201, Denver, CO 80294, faxed to needs of other government agencies and
the public. The ABS will provide the Survey (BRDI–S) to measure firm
(303) 866–1050, or emailed to Evelyn innovation and investigate the
Bohor at ebohor@usccr.gov. Persons only comprehensive data on business
owner demographics and business incidence of R&D activities in growing
who desire additional information may sectors, such as small business
contact the Rocky Mountain Regional characteristics, including financing,
research and development (for enterprises not covered by BRDI–S.
Office at (303) 866–1040. Government program officials,
Records and documents discussed microbusinesses), and innovation.
These data are not publicly available industry organization leaders, economic
during the meeting will be available for and social analysts, business
public viewing as they become available from nongovernment or other
governmental sources. entrepreneurs, and domestic and foreign
at https://facadatabase.gov/committee/ researchers in academia, business, and
meetings.aspx?cid=259 and clicking on DATES: Written comments on this notice
must be submitted on or before government will use statistics from the
the ‘‘Meeting Details’’ and ‘‘Documents’’ new ABS. Estimates produced on owner
links. Records generated from this November 24, 2017.
demographic data may be used to assess
meeting may also be inspected and ADDRESSES: Please direct all written
business assistance needs in order to
reproduced at the Rocky Mountain comments to Aneta Erdie, U.S. Census allocate available program resources,
Regional Office, as they become Bureau, Economic Reimbursable and to create a framework for planning,
available, both before and after the Surveys Division (ERD), 6H139, directing, and assessing programs that
meeting. Persons interested in the work Washington, DC 20233–6600, (301) 763– promote the activities of disadvantaged
of this advisory committee are advised 4841, Aneta.Erdie@census.gov. groups. Estimates also may be used to
to go to the Commission’s Web site, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: assess minority-owned businesses by
www.usccr.gov, or to contact the Rocky Requests for additional information or industry and area; to educate industry
Mountain Regional Office at the above copies of the information collection associations, corporations, and
phone number, email or street address. instrument(s) and instructions should government entities; to analyze business
Agenda be directed to Patrice Norman, U.S. operations in comparison to similar
Census Bureau, ERD, 8K151, firms; to compute market share; and, to
• Welcome and Roll-call Washington, DC 20233–6600, (301) 763–
Gwen Kircher, Chair, Montana assess business growth and future
7198, Patrice.C.Norman@census.gov. prospects. Estimates produced on R&D
Advisory Committee
• Introductions SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The and innovation may be used to compare
• Brief update on Commission and Census Bureau, with support from the R&D costs across industries, determine
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
Region Activities National Science Foundation (NSF), is where R&D activity is conducted
• Discuss current civil rights issues of considering a plan to conduct an ABS geographically, and identify the types of
importance in the state for the 2017–2021 survey years. The businesses with R&D. Estimates may be
• Next Steps Proposed ABS will be conducted under used to contribute to the Bureau of
• Open Comment the authority of Title 13, United States Economic Analysis (BEA) system of
Exceptional Circumstance: Pursuant Code, Sections 8(b), 131, and 182; and national accounts; to increase
to 41 CFR 102–3.150, the notice for this Title 42, United States Code, Sections investments in research and
meeting is given less than 15 calendar 1861–76 (National Science Foundation development; to strengthen education
days prior to the meeting because of the Act of 1950, as amended). The ABS is and encourage entrepreneurship; and to
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![49176 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 204 / Tuesday, October 24, 2017 / Notices
compare business innovation in the The ABS will be collected using only DATES: The date of service of appointees
United States to that of other countries. electronic instruments. Respondents to the ESA Performance Review Board
The ABS would cover all domestic, will receive a letter notifying them of is based upon publication of this notice.
nonfarm employer businesses with their requirement to respond and how to
operations during the survey year. access the survey. Responses will be SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
Nonemployer businesses would not be due approximately 30 days from receipt. accordance with 5 U.S.C. 4314(c)(4), the
within the scope of the ABS. The Select businesses will receive a due date names and position titles of the
Census Bureau will submit a separate reminder via a letter prior to the due members of the PRB are set forth below:
request for approval to collect business date. Additionally, two mail follow-ups John M. Abowd, Associate Director for
and owner characteristics from to nonrespondents will be conducted at Research and Methodology, Census
nonemployer businesses if it is approximately one-month intervals. Bureau
determined that a collection is needed Select nonrespondents will receive a
to produce those estimates. certified mailing for the second follow- Dina Beaumont, Senior Advisor for
The ABS would collect the following up if needed. Trade Initiatives Implementation,
information from employer businesses: International Trade Administration
Paperwork Reduction Act
—Owner characteristics, including the Lisa M. Blumerman, Associate Director
gender, ethnicity, race, and veteran Notwithstanding any other provision for Decennial Census Programs,
status of the principal owner(s) from of law, no person is required to respond Census Bureau
all firms in the sample; to, nor shall a person be subject to a Eric Branstad, Senior White House
—Various business characteristics, penalty for failure to comply with a Advisor, Office of the Secretary
including financing, from all firms in collection of information subject to the
the sample; Stephen B. Burke, Deputy Under
requirements of the Paperwork
—Research and development activity Reduction Act (PRA) unless that Secretary for Economic Affairs, ESA
and costs from firms with less than 10 collection of information displays a Joanne Buenzli Crane, Chief Financial
employees; and currently valid Office of Management Officer, Census Bureau
—Innovation practices from all firms in and Budget (OMB) control number. In Gregory Capella, Deputy Director,
the sample. accordance with the PRA, 44 U.S.C., National Technical Information
Additional owner topics include Chapter 45, the Census Bureau will Service
military service, owner acquisition, job submit a request for approval to the
functions, number of hours worked, OMB for approval of the ABS. The Paul Farello, Associate Director for
primary income, prior business Census Bureau previously published a International Economics, Bureau of
ownership, age of owner, education and notice in the Federal Register on August Economic Analysis (BEA)
field of degree, citizenship and place of 7, 2017 (82 FR 36728) informing the Ron Jarmin, Associate Director for
birth, and reason for owning the public of this planned submission and Economic Programs, Census Bureau
business. Other business topics include inviting public comment. Enrique Lamas, Associate Director for
number of owners and percent Dated: October 18, 2017. Demographic Programs, Census
ownership, family owned and operated,
Ron S. Jarmin, Bureau
business aspirations, funding sources,
profitability, types of customers, types Associate Director for Economic Programs, Brian C. Moyer, Director, BEA
Performing the Non-Exclusive Functions and
of workers, employee benefits, home Timothy Olson, Associate Director for
Duties of the Director Bureau of the Census.
operation, Web site use, and business Field Operations, Census Bureau
[FR Doc. 2017–23041 Filed 10–23–17; 8:45 am]
activity. Starting with the 2018 survey,
BILLING CODE 3510–07–P Joel D. Platt, Associate Director for
the ABS may include new module
questions each year based on relevant Regional Economics, BEA
business topics. Potential topics include Kevin Smith, Associate Director for
technological advances, Internet usage, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Information Technology and Chief
management and business practices, Information Officer, Census Bureau
Performance Review Board
exporting practices, and globalization. Membership Erich Strassner, Associate Director for
The draft content for the ABS will be National Economic Accounts, BEA
cognitively tested with approximately AGENCY:Economics and Statistics
20 businesses. The questionnaire and Sarahelen Thompson, Deputy Director,
Administration, Department of BEA
interview protocol will be used to assess Commerce.
the feasibility and merit of suggested FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
changes that arise from the testing. ACTION: Notice.
Latasha Ellis, Program Manager,
The 2017 ABS will sample
Executive Resources Office, Human
approximately 850,000 employer SUMMARY: The Economics and Statistics
businesses to produce statistics that are Administration (ESA) announces the Resources Division, Census Bureau,
more detailed. Annually from 2018– appointment of members who will serve 4600 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC
2021, the survey sample will be reduced on the ESA Performance Review Board 20233, 301–763–3727.
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
to approximately 300,000 businesses to (PRB). The purpose of the PRB is to Dated: October 11, 2017.
reduce respondent burden. Businesses provide fair and impartial review of Stephen B. Burke,
which reported business activity on senior executive service and scientific Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Affairs,
Internal Revenue Service tax forms 941, and professional performance Chair, ESA Performance Review Board.
‘‘Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax appraisals, bonus recommendations, [FR Doc. 2017–22946 Filed 10–23–17; 8:45 am]
Return;’’ 944, ‘‘Employer’s Annual pay adjustments and Presidential Rank
BILLING CODE 3510–BS–P
Federal Tax Return;’’ or any one of the Award nominations. The term of each
1120 corporate tax forms will be eligible PRB member will expire on December
for selection. 31, 2019.
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Document Created: 2018-10-25 10:08:22
Document Modified: 2018-10-25 10:08:22
| 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 of consideration and request for comments. | |
| Dates | Written comments on this notice must be submitted on or before November 24, 2017. | |
| 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, ERD, 8K151, Washington, DC 20233-6600, (301) 763-7198, [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 49175 |
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