Inviting Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program Preapplications for Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation Systems, 13340-13343 [E6-3761]

Download as PDF 13340 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 15, 2006 / Notices North Dakota USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 208, 220 East Rosser, P. O. Box 1737, Bismarck, ND 58502–1737. (701) 530–2037/TDD (701) 530–2113. Washington USDA Rural Development State Office, 1835 Black Lake Boulevard, SW., Suite B, Olympia, WA 98512–5715. (360) 704– 7740. West Virginia USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, 75 High Street, Room 320, Morgantown, WV 26505–7500. (304) 284–4860/TDD (304) 284–4836. Ohio USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 507, 200 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215–2418. (614) 255–2400/TDD (614) 255–2554. Oklahoma USDA Rural Development State Office, 100 USDA, Suite 108, Stillwater, OK 74074– 2654. (405) 742–1000/TDD (405) 742–1007. Oregon USDA Rural Development State Office, 1229 SE Third Street, Suite A, Pendleton, OR 97801–4198. (503) 414–3300/TDD (503) 414–3387. Pennsylvania USDA Rural Development State Office, One Credit Union Place, Suite 330, Harrisburg, PA 17110–2996. (717) 237–2299/TDD (717) 237–2261. Puerto Rico USDA Rural Development State Office, 654 Munoz Rivera Avenue, IBM Building, Suite 601, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918–6106. (787) 766–5095/TDD (787) 766–5332. South Carolina USDA Rural Development State Office, Strom Thurmond Federal Building, 1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007, Columbia, SC 29201. (803) 765–5163/TDD (803) 765– 5697. South Dakota USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 210, 200 4th Street, SW., Huron, SD 57350. (605) 352– 1100/TDD (605) 352–1147. Tennessee USDA Rural Development State Office, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37203–1084. (615) 783–1300. Texas USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 102, 101 South Main Street, Temple, TX 76501. (254) 742– 9700/TDD (254) 742–9712. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Utah USDA Rural Development State Office, Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4311, Salt Lake City, UT 84138. (801) 524–4320/TDD (801) 524–3309. Vermont/New Hampshire USDA Rural Development State Office, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602. (802) 828–6000/ TDD (802) 223–6365. Virginia USDA Rural Development State Office, Culpeper Building, Suite 238, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Richmond, VA 23229–5014. (804) 287–1550/ TDD (804) 287–1753. VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:25 Mar 14, 2006 Jkt 208001 Wisconsin USDA Rural Development State Office, 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens Point, WI 54481. (715) 345–7600/TDD (715) 345–7614. Wyoming USDA Rural Development State Office, 100 East B Street, Federal Building, Room 1005, P.O. Box 11005, Casper, WY 82602– 5006. (307) 261–6300/TDD (307) 233–6733. The RBOG program is authorized under section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(11)). The Rural Development State Offices administer the RBOG program on behalf of RBS at the State level. The primary objective of the program is to improve the economic conditions of rural areas. Assistance provided to rural areas under this program may include technical assistance for business development and economic development planning. A total of $990,000 of non-earmarked funds is available for the RBOG program for FY 2006. To ensure that a broad range of communities have the opportunity to benefit from the available funds, no grant will exceed $50,000, unless it is a multi-State project where funds may not exceed $150,000. Pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2006 (Public Law 108–447), a total of $990,000 has been earmarked for Native Americans and a total of $990,000 for Empowerment Zones, Enterprise Communities, and Rural Economic Area Partnerships. There is no project dollar amount limitation on applications for earmarked funds. Awards are made on a competitive basis using specific selection criteria contained in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart G. Information required to be in the application package are contained in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart G. The State Director may assign up to 15 discretionary points to an application, and the Agency Administrator may assign up to 20 additional discretionary points based on geographic distribution of funds, special importance for implementation of a strategic plan in partnership with other organizations, or extraordinary potential for success due to superior project plans or qualifications of the grantee. To SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ensure the equitable distribution of funds, two projects from each State that score the greatest number of points based on the selection criteria and discretionary points will be considered for funding. Applications will be tentatively scored by the State Offices and submitted to the National Office for final review and selection. The National Office will review the scores based on the grant selection criteria and weights contained in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart G. All applicants will be notified by RBS of the Agency’s decision on the awards. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the information collection requirement contained in this Notice is approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570–0024. Nondiscrimination Statement ‘‘The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720– 2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (800) 795–3272 (voice), or (202) 720–6382 (TDD). ‘‘USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.’’ Dated: February 23, 2006. Jackie J. Gleason, Acting Administrator, Rural BusinessCooperative Service. [FR Doc. E6–3762 Filed 3–14–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Business-Cooperative Service Inviting Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program Preapplications for Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation Systems Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\15MRN1.SGM 15MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 15, 2006 / Notices SUMMARY: The Rural BusinessCooperative Service (RBS), an Agency within the Rural Development mission area, announces the availability of two individual grants: one single $495,000 grant from the passenger transportation funds appropriated for the RBS Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program and another single $247,500 grant from the Federally Recognized Native American Tribes’ (FRNAT) funds appropriated for RBS under the RBEG program for fiscal year (FY) 2006. Each grant is to be competitively awarded to a qualified national organization. These grants are to provide technical assistance for rural transportation. DATES: The deadline for receipt of preapplications in the Rural Development State Office is April 14, 2006. Preapplications received at a Rural Development State Office after that date would not be considered for FY 2006 funding. ADDRESSES: For further information, entities wishing to apply for assistance should contact a Rural Development State Office to obtain copies of the preapplication package. A list of Rural Development State Offices follows: District of Columbia Rural Development Business Programs, USDA, Specialty Lenders Division, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 3225, Room 6867, Washington, DC 20250–3225, (202) 720–1400. Alabama USDA Rural Development State Office, Sterling Centre, Suite 601, 4121 Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 36106– 3683, (334) 279–3400. Alaska USDA Rural Development State Office, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201, Palmer, AK 99645–6539, (907) 761–7705. Arizona USDA Rural Development State Office, 230 N. First Avenue, Suite 206, Phoenix, AZ 85003–1706, (602) 280–8700. Arkansas USDA Rural Development State Office, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Room 3416, Little Rock, AR 72201–3225, (501) 301–3200. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES California USDA Rural Development State Office, 430 G Street, Agency 4169, Davis, CA 95616– 4169, (530) 792–5800/TDD (530) 792–5848. Colorado USDA Rural Development State Office, 655 Parfet Street, Room E–100, Lakewood, CO 80215, (720) 544–2903/TDD (720) 544– 2976. Delaware-Maryland USDA Rural Development State Office, 1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:25 Mar 14, 2006 Jkt 208001 19904, (302) 857–3580/TDD (302) 857– 3585. Florida/Virgin Islands USDA Rural Development State Office, 4440 NW 25th Place, P.O. Box 147010, Gainesville, FL 32614–7010, (352) 338– 3400/TDD (352) 338–3450. Georgia USDA Rural Development State Office, Stephens Federal Building, 355 E. Hancock Avenue, Athens, GA 30601–2768, (706) 546–2162. Hawaii USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 311, 154 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720, (808) 933–8380/(808) 933–8321. Idaho USDA Rural Development State Office, 9173 West Barnes Drive, Suite A1, Boise, ID 83709, (208) 378–5600/TDD (208) 378– 5644. Illinois USDA Rural Development State Office, 2118 West Park Court, Suite A, Champaign, IL 61821, (217) 403–6200/TDD (217) 403– 6240. 13341 Minnesota USDA Rural Development State Office, 410 AgriBank Building, 375 Jackson Street, St. Paul, MN 55101–1853, (651) 602–7800/ TDD (651) 602–3799. Mississippi USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 831, 100 West Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39269, (601) 965–4316/TDD (601) 965–5850. Missouri USDA Rural Development State Office, 601 Business Loop 70 West, Parkade Center, Suite 235, Columbia, MO 65203, (573) 876–0976/TDD (573) 876–9480. Montana USDA Rural Development State Office, 900 Technology Blvd., Unit 1, Suite B, P.O. Box 850, Bozeman, MT 59771, (406) 585–2580/ TDD (406) 585–2562. Nebraska USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 152, 100 Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, NE 68508, (402) 437–5551/TDD (402) 437–5093. Nevada Indiana USDA Rural Development State Office, 5975 Lakeside Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46278, (317) 290–3100/TDD (317) 290– 3340. USDA Rural Development State Office, 1390 South Curry Street, Carson City, NV 89703–9910, (775) 887–1222/TDD (775) 885–0841. Iowa USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 873, 210 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 (515) 284– 4663/TDD (515) 284–4858 USDA Rural Development State Office, 5th Floor North, Suite 500, 8000 Midlantic Drive, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054, (856) 787– 7700/TDD (856) 787–7784. New Jersey New Mexico Kansas USDA Rural Development State Office, 1303 SW First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66604–4040, (785) 271–2700/ TDD (785) 271–2767. USDA Rural Development State Office, 6200 Jefferson Street NE, Room 255, Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 761–4950/ TDD (505) 761–4976. Kentucky USDA Rural Development State Office, 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Lexington, KY 40503, (859) 224–7300/TDD (859) 224– 7422. USDA Rural Development State Office, The Galleries of Syracuse, 441 South Salina Street, Suite 357, Syracuse, NY 13202– 2541, (315) 477–6400/TDD (315) 477–6447. Louisiana USDA Rural Development State Office, 3727 Government Street, Alexandria, LA 71302, (318) 473–7920/TDD (318) 473–7655. USDA Rural Development State Office, 4405 Bland Road, Suite 260, Raleigh, NC 27609, (919) 873–2000/TDD (919) 873–2003. North Dakota Maine USDA Rural Development State Office, 967 Illinois Avenue, Suite 4, P.O. Box 405, Bangor, ME 04402–0405, (207) 990–9160/ TDD (207) 942–7331. USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 208, 220 East Rosser, P.O. Box 1737, Bismarck, ND 58502–1737, (701) 530–2037/TDD (701) 530–2113. Massachusetts/Rhode Island/Connecticut USDA Rural Development State Office, 451 West Street, Suite 2, Amherst, MA 01002– 2999, (413) 253–4300/TDD (413) 253–4318. Ohio Michigan USDA Rural Development State Office, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200, East Lansing, MI 48823, (517) 324–5100/TDD (517) 337– 6795. PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 New York North Carolina USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 507, 200 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215–2418, (614) 255–2400/TDD (614) 255–2554. Oklahoma USDA Rural Development State Office, 100 USDA, Suite 108, Stillwater, OK 74074– 2654, (405) 742–1000/TDD (405) 742–1007. E:\FR\FM\15MRN1.SGM 15MRN1 13342 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 15, 2006 / Notices Oregon USDA Rural Development State Office, 101 SW Main Street, Suite 1410, Portland, OR 97204–3222, (503) 414–3300/TDD (503) 414–3387. Pennsylvania USDA Rural Development State Office, One Credit Union Place, Suite 330, Harrisburg, PA 17110–2996, (717) 237–2299/TDD (717) 237–2261. Puerto Rico USDA Rural Development State Office, IBM Building, 654 Munoz Rivera Avenue, Suite 601, San Juan, PR 00918–6106, (787) 766– 5095/TDD (787) 766–5332. South Carolina USDA Rural Development State Office, Strom Thurmond Federal Building, 1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007, Columbia, SC 29201, (803) 765–5163/TDD (803) 765– 5697. South Dakota USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 210, 200 4th Street, SW., Huron, SD 57350, (605) 352– 1100/TDD (605) 352–1147. Tennessee USDA Rural Development State Office, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37203–1084, (615) 783–1300. Texas USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 102, 101 South Main Street, Temple, TX 76501, (254) 742– 9700/TDD (254) 742–9712. Utah USDA Rural Development State Office, Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4311, Salt Lake City, UT 84138, (801) 524–4320/TDD (801) 524–3309. Vermont/New Hampshire USDA Rural Development State Office, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 828–6000/ TDD (802) 223–6365. Virginia USDA Rural Development State Office, Culpeper Building, Suite 238, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Richmond, VA 23229, (804) 287–1550/TDD (804) 287–1753. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Washington USDA Rural Development State Office, 1835 Black Lake Boulevard, SW., Suite B, Olympia, WA 98512–5715, (360) 704– 7740. West Virginia USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, 75 High Street, Room 320, Morgantown, WV 26505–7500, (304) 284–4860/TDD (304) 284–4836. Wisconsin USDA Rural Development State Office, 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens Point, WI 54481, (715) 345–7600/TDD (715) 345–7614. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:27 Mar 14, 2006 Jkt 208001 Wyoming USDA Rural Development State Office, 100 East B, Federal Building, Room 1005, P.O. Box 11005, Casper, WY 82602–5006, (307) 261–6300/TDD (307) 233–6733. The passenger transportation portion of the RBEG program is authorized by section 310B(c)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)(2)). The RBEG program is administered on behalf of RBS at the State level by the Rural Development State Offices. The primary objective of the program is to improve the economic conditions of rural areas. Assistance provided to rural areas under this program may include on-site technical assistance to local and regional governments, public transit agencies, and related nonprofit and for-profit organizations in rural areas; the development of training materials; and the provision of necessary training assistance to local officials and agencies in rural areas. Awards under the RBEG passenger transportation program are made on a competitive basis using specific selection criteria contained in 7 CFR part 1942, subpart G, and in accordance with section 310B(c)(2) of the CONACT. That subpart also contains the information required to be in the application package. For the FRNAT grant, at least 75 percent of the benefits of the project must be received by members of Federally Recognized Tribes. The project that scores the greatest number of points based on the selection criteria and Administrator’s points will be selected for each grant. Preapplications will be tentatively scored by the State Offices and submitted to the National Office for review, final scoring, and selection. To be considered ‘‘national,’’ a qualified organization is required to provide evidence that it operates in multi-State areas. There is not a requirement to use the grant funds in a multi-State area. Under this notice, grants will be made to qualified, private, non-profit organizations for the provision of technical assistance and training to rural communities for the purpose of improving passenger transportation services or facilities. Public bodies are not eligible for passenger transportation RBEG grants. The information collection requirements contained within this Notice have received approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570–0022 (7 CFR part 1942, subpart G). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Fiscal Year 2006 Preapplications Submission Each application received in a Rural Development State Office will be reviewed to determine if this application is consistent with the eligible purposes contained in section 310B(c)(2) of the CONACT. Each selection priority criterion outlined in 7 CFR part 1942, subpart G, section 1942.305(b)(3), must be addressed in the application. Failure to address any of the criteria will result in a zero-point score for that criterion and impact the overall evaluation of the application. Copies of 7 CFR part 1942, subpart G, will be provided to any interested applicant making a request to a Rural Development State Office listed in this notice. All projects to receive technical assistance through these passenger transportation grant funds are to be identified when the preapplications are submitted to the Rural Development State Office. Multiple project preapplications must identify each individual project, indicate the amount of funding requested for each individual project, and address the criteria as stated above for each individual project. For multiple-project preapplications, the average of the individual project scores will be the score for that application. All eligible preapplications, along with tentative scoring sheets and the Rural Development State Director’s recommendation, will be referred to the National Office no later than May 25, 2006, for final scoring and selection for an award. The National Office will score preapplications based on the grant selection criteria and weights contained in 7 CFR part 1942, subpart G and will select a grantee subject to the grantee’s satisfactory submission of a formal application and related materials in the manner and timeframe established by RBS in accordance with 7 CFR part 1942, subpart G. It is anticipated that the grantees will be selected by July 7, 2006. All applicants will be notified by RBS of the Agency’s decision on the awards. Nondiscrimination Statement The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all E:\FR\FM\15MRN1.SGM 15MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 15, 2006 / Notices prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720– 2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (800) 795–3272 (voice), or (202) 720– 6382 (TDD). ‘‘USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.’’ Dated: February 23, 2006. Jackie J. Gleason, Acting Administrator, Rural BusinessCooperative Service. [FR Doc. E6–3761 Filed 3–14–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Household Water Well System Grant Program Announcement of Application Deadlines and Funding Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice of funding availability and solicitation of applications. AGENCY: sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES ACTION: SUMMARY: USDA Rural Development administers rural utilities programs through the Rural Utilities Service. USDA Rural Development announces its fiscal year (FY) 2006 funding and application window for the Household Water Well System (HWWS) Grant Program. The HWWS Grant Program is authorized under Section 6012 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (The Act), Public Law 107–171. The Act authorizes USDA Rural Development to make grants to qualified private non-profit organizations to establish lending programs for household water wells. For FY 2006, the HWWS grant funding available is $990,000. The non-profit organizations will use the grants to make loans to individuals to construct or upgrade a household water well system for an existing home. The organizations must contribute an amount equal to at least 10 percent of the grant request to capitalize the loan fund. Applications may be submitted in paper or electronic format. The HWWS Grant Program regulations are contained in 7 CFR part 1776. DATES: The deadline for completed applications for a HWWS grant is May 31, 2006. Applications in either paper or electronic format must be postmarked or time-stamped electronically on or before VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:27 Mar 14, 2006 Jkt 208001 the deadline. Late applications will be ineligible for grant consideration. ADDRESSES: Submit electronic grant applications through https:// www.grants.gov (Grants.gov), following the instructions on that Web site. Submit completed paper applications to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Development Utilities Programs, Mail Stop #1570, Room 2233S, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250–1570. Applications should be marked ‘‘Attention: Water and Environmental Programs.’’ Application guides and materials for the HWWS Grant Program may be obtained electronically through https:// www.usda.gov/rus/water/well.htm. Call (202) 720–9589 to request paper copies of application guides and materials from the Water and Environmental Programs staff. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Francis, Loan Specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development Programs, Water and Environmental Programs, telephone: (202) 720–1937, fax: (202) 690–0649, email: cheryl.francis@wdc.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Overview Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS). Funding Opportunity Title: Household Water Well System Grant Program. Announcement Type: Grant—Initial. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.862. Due Date for Applications: May 31, 2006. Items in Supplementary Information I. Funding Opportunity: Description of the Household Water Well System Grant Program. II. Award Information: Available funds. III. Eligibility Information: Who is eligible, what kinds of projects are eligible, what criteria determine basic eligibility. IV. Application and Submission Information: Where to get application materials, what constitutes a completed application, how and where to submit applications, deadlines, items that are eligible. V. Application Review Information: Considerations and preferences, scoring criteria, review standards, selection information. VI. Award Administration Information: Award notice information, award recipient reporting requirements. VII. Agency Contacts: Web, phone, fax, email, contact name. I. Funding Opportunity A. Program Description The Household Water Well System (HWWS) Grant Program has been PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13343 established to help individuals with low to moderate incomes finance the costs of household water wells that they own or will own. The HWWS Grant Program is authorized under section 6012 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (The Act), Public Law 107–171. The Act authorizes the USDA Rural Development through the Rural Utilities Service to make grants to qualified private non-profit organizations to establish lending programs for household water wells. As the grant recipients, non-profit organizations will receive HWWS grants to establish lending programs that will provide water well loans to individuals. The individuals, as loan recipients, may use the loans to construct, refurbish, and service their household well systems. A loan may not exceed $8,000 and will have a term up to 20 years at a one percent annual interest rate. B. Background The USDA Rural Development supports the sound development of rural communities and the growth of our economy without endangering the environment. The USDA Rural Development provides financial and technical assistance to help communities bring safe drinking water and sanitary, environmentally sound waste disposal facilities to rural Americans in greatest need. A central water system may not be the only or best solution to drinking water problems. Distance or physical barriers make public central water systems expensive in remote areas. A significant number of geographically isolated households without water service might require individual wells rather than connections to new or existing community systems. The goal of the USDA Rural Development is not only to make funds available to those communities most in need of potable water but also to ensure that facilities used to deliver drinking water are safe and affordable. There is a role for private wells in reaching this goal. C. Purpose The purpose of the HWWS Grant Program is to provide funds to nonprofit organizations to assist them in establishing loan programs from which individuals may borrow money for household water well systems. Applicants must show that the project will provide technical and financial assistance to eligible individuals to remedy household well problems. Priority will be given to the non-profit organizations that: 1. Demonstrate experience in promoting safe, productive uses of E:\FR\FM\15MRN1.SGM 15MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 15, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13340-13343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3761]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Inviting Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program Preapplications 
for Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation Systems

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 13341]]

SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), an Agency within 
the Rural Development mission area, announces the availability of two 
individual grants: one single $495,000 grant from the passenger 
transportation funds appropriated for the RBS Rural Business Enterprise 
Grant (RBEG) program and another single $247,500 grant from the 
Federally Recognized Native American Tribes' (FRNAT) funds appropriated 
for RBS under the RBEG program for fiscal year (FY) 2006. Each grant is 
to be competitively awarded to a qualified national organization. These 
grants are to provide technical assistance for rural transportation.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of preapplications in the Rural 
Development State Office is April 14, 2006. Preapplications received at 
a Rural Development State Office after that date would not be 
considered for FY 2006 funding.

ADDRESSES: For further information, entities wishing to apply for 
assistance should contact a Rural Development State Office to obtain 
copies of the pre-application package. A list of Rural Development 
State Offices follows:

District of Columbia

Rural Development Business Programs, USDA, Specialty Lenders 
Division, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 3225, Room 6867, 
Washington, DC 20250-3225, (202) 720-1400.

Alabama

USDA Rural Development State Office, Sterling Centre, Suite 601, 
4121 Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 36106-3683, (334) 279-3400.

Alaska

USDA Rural Development State Office, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201, 
Palmer, AK 99645-6539, (907) 761-7705.

Arizona

USDA Rural Development State Office, 230 N. First Avenue, Suite 206, 
Phoenix, AZ 85003-1706, (602) 280-8700.

Arkansas

USDA Rural Development State Office, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Room 
3416, Little Rock, AR 72201-3225, (501) 301-3200.

California

USDA Rural Development State Office, 430 G Street, Agency 4169, 
Davis, CA 95616-4169, (530) 792-5800/TDD (530) 792-5848.

Colorado

USDA Rural Development State Office, 655 Parfet Street, Room E-100, 
Lakewood, CO 80215, (720) 544-2903/TDD (720) 544-2976.

Delaware-Maryland

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1221 College Park Drive, Suite 
200, Dover, DE 19904, (302) 857-3580/TDD (302) 857-3585.

Florida/Virgin Islands

USDA Rural Development State Office, 4440 NW 25th Place, P.O. Box 
147010, Gainesville, FL 32614-7010, (352) 338-3400/TDD (352) 338-
3450.

Georgia

USDA Rural Development State Office, Stephens Federal Building, 355 
E. Hancock Avenue, Athens, GA 30601-2768, (706) 546-2162.

Hawaii

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 311, 154 
Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720, (808) 933-8380/(808) 933-8321.

Idaho

USDA Rural Development State Office, 9173 West Barnes Drive, Suite 
A1, Boise, ID 83709, (208) 378-5600/TDD (208) 378-5644.

Illinois

USDA Rural Development State Office, 2118 West Park Court, Suite A, 
Champaign, IL 61821, (217) 403-6200/TDD (217) 403-6240.

Indiana

USDA Rural Development State Office, 5975 Lakeside Boulevard, 
Indianapolis, IN 46278, (317) 290-3100/TDD (317) 290-3340.

Iowa

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 873, 210 
Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 (515) 284-4663/TDD (515) 284-
4858

Kansas

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1303 SW First American Place, 
Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66604-4040, (785) 271-2700/TDD (785) 271-2767.

Kentucky

USDA Rural Development State Office, 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, 
Lexington, KY 40503, (859) 224-7300/TDD (859) 224-7422.

Louisiana

USDA Rural Development State Office, 3727 Government Street, 
Alexandria, LA 71302, (318) 473-7920/TDD (318) 473-7655.

Maine

USDA Rural Development State Office, 967 Illinois Avenue, Suite 4, 
P.O. Box 405, Bangor, ME 04402-0405, (207) 990-9160/TDD (207) 942-
7331.

Massachusetts/Rhode Island/Connecticut

USDA Rural Development State Office, 451 West Street, Suite 2, 
Amherst, MA 01002-2999, (413) 253-4300/TDD (413) 253-4318.

Michigan

USDA Rural Development State Office, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200, 
East Lansing, MI 48823, (517) 324-5100/TDD (517) 337-6795.

Minnesota

USDA Rural Development State Office, 410 AgriBank Building, 375 
Jackson Street, St. Paul, MN 55101-1853, (651) 602-7800/TDD (651) 
602-3799.

Mississippi

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 831, 
100 West Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39269, (601) 965-4316/TDD (601) 
965-5850.

Missouri

USDA Rural Development State Office, 601 Business Loop 70 West, 
Parkade Center, Suite 235, Columbia, MO 65203, (573) 876-0976/TDD 
(573) 876-9480.

Montana

USDA Rural Development State Office, 900 Technology Blvd., Unit 1, 
Suite B, P.O. Box 850, Bozeman, MT 59771, (406) 585-2580/TDD (406) 
585-2562.

Nebraska

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 152, 100 
Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, NE 68508, (402) 437-5551/TDD (402) 
437-5093.

Nevada

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1390 South Curry Street, Carson 
City, NV 89703-9910, (775) 887-1222/TDD (775) 885-0841.

New Jersey

USDA Rural Development State Office, 5th Floor North, Suite 500, 
8000 Midlantic Drive, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054, (856) 787-7700/TDD (856) 
787-7784.

New Mexico

USDA Rural Development State Office, 6200 Jefferson Street NE, Room 
255, Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 761-4950/TDD (505) 761-4976.

New York

USDA Rural Development State Office, The Galleries of Syracuse, 441 
South Salina Street, Suite 357, Syracuse, NY 13202-2541, (315) 477-
6400/TDD (315) 477-6447.

North Carolina

USDA Rural Development State Office, 4405 Bland Road, Suite 260, 
Raleigh, NC 27609, (919) 873-2000/TDD (919) 873-2003.

North Dakota

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 208, 220 
East Rosser, P.O. Box 1737, Bismarck, ND 58502-1737, (701) 530-2037/
TDD (701) 530-2113.

Ohio

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 507, 200 
North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215-2418, (614) 255-2400/TDD (614) 
255-2554.

Oklahoma

USDA Rural Development State Office, 100 USDA, Suite 108, 
Stillwater, OK 74074-2654, (405) 742-1000/TDD (405) 742-1007.

[[Page 13342]]

Oregon

USDA Rural Development State Office, 101 SW Main Street, Suite 1410, 
Portland, OR 97204-3222, (503) 414-3300/TDD (503) 414-3387.

Pennsylvania

USDA Rural Development State Office, One Credit Union Place, Suite 
330, Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996, (717) 237-2299/TDD (717) 237-2261.

Puerto Rico

USDA Rural Development State Office, IBM Building, 654 Munoz Rivera 
Avenue, Suite 601, San Juan, PR 00918-6106, (787) 766-5095/TDD (787) 
766-5332.

South Carolina

USDA Rural Development State Office, Strom Thurmond Federal 
Building, 1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007, Columbia, SC 29201, (803) 
765-5163/TDD (803) 765-5697.

South Dakota

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 210, 200 
4th Street, SW., Huron, SD 57350, (605) 352-1100/TDD (605) 352-1147.

Tennessee

USDA Rural Development State Office, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 
300, Nashville, TN 37203-1084, (615) 783-1300.

Texas

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 102, 
101 South Main Street, Temple, TX 76501, (254) 742-9700/TDD (254) 
742-9712.

Utah

USDA Rural Development State Office, Wallace F. Bennett Federal 
Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4311, Salt Lake City, UT 
84138, (801) 524-4320/TDD (801) 524-3309.

Vermont/New Hampshire

USDA Rural Development State Office, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main 
Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 828-6000/TDD (802) 223-6365.

Virginia

USDA Rural Development State Office, Culpeper Building, Suite 238, 
1606 Santa Rosa Road, Richmond, VA 23229, (804) 287-1550/TDD (804) 
287-1753.

Washington

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1835 Black Lake Boulevard, SW., 
Suite B, Olympia, WA 98512-5715, (360) 704-7740.

West Virginia

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, 75 High 
Street, Room 320, Morgantown, WV 26505-7500, (304) 284-4860/TDD 
(304) 284-4836.

Wisconsin

USDA Rural Development State Office, 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens 
Point, WI 54481, (715) 345-7600/TDD (715) 345-7614.

Wyoming

USDA Rural Development State Office, 100 East B, Federal Building, 
Room 1005, P.O. Box 11005, Casper, WY 82602-5006, (307) 261-6300/TDD 
(307) 233-6733.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The passenger transportation portion of the 
RBEG program is authorized by section 310B(c)(2) of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)(2)). The RBEG 
program is administered on behalf of RBS at the State level by the 
Rural Development State Offices. The primary objective of the program 
is to improve the economic conditions of rural areas. Assistance 
provided to rural areas under this program may include on-site 
technical assistance to local and regional governments, public transit 
agencies, and related nonprofit and for-profit organizations in rural 
areas; the development of training materials; and the provision of 
necessary training assistance to local officials and agencies in rural 
areas.
    Awards under the RBEG passenger transportation program are made on 
a competitive basis using specific selection criteria contained in 7 
CFR part 1942, subpart G, and in accordance with section 310B(c)(2) of 
the CONACT. That subpart also contains the information required to be 
in the application package. For the FRNAT grant, at least 75 percent of 
the benefits of the project must be received by members of Federally 
Recognized Tribes. The project that scores the greatest number of 
points based on the selection criteria and Administrator's points will 
be selected for each grant. Preapplications will be tentatively scored 
by the State Offices and submitted to the National Office for review, 
final scoring, and selection.
    To be considered ``national,'' a qualified organization is required 
to provide evidence that it operates in multi-State areas. There is not 
a requirement to use the grant funds in a multi-State area. Under this 
notice, grants will be made to qualified, private, non-profit 
organizations for the provision of technical assistance and training to 
rural communities for the purpose of improving passenger transportation 
services or facilities. Public bodies are not eligible for passenger 
transportation RBEG grants.
    The information collection requirements contained within this 
Notice have received approval by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570-0022 (7 CFR part 1942, subpart G).

Fiscal Year 2006 Preapplications Submission

    Each application received in a Rural Development State Office will 
be reviewed to determine if this application is consistent with the 
eligible purposes contained in section 310B(c)(2) of the CONACT. Each 
selection priority criterion outlined in 7 CFR part 1942, subpart G, 
section 1942.305(b)(3), must be addressed in the application. Failure 
to address any of the criteria will result in a zero-point score for 
that criterion and impact the overall evaluation of the application. 
Copies of 7 CFR part 1942, subpart G, will be provided to any 
interested applicant making a request to a Rural Development State 
Office listed in this notice. All projects to receive technical 
assistance through these passenger transportation grant funds are to be 
identified when the preapplications are submitted to the Rural 
Development State Office. Multiple project preapplications must 
identify each individual project, indicate the amount of funding 
requested for each individual project, and address the criteria as 
stated above for each individual project. For multiple-project 
preapplications, the average of the individual project scores will be 
the score for that application.
    All eligible preapplications, along with tentative scoring sheets 
and the Rural Development State Director's recommendation, will be 
referred to the National Office no later than May 25, 2006, for final 
scoring and selection for an award.
    The National Office will score preapplications based on the grant 
selection criteria and weights contained in 7 CFR part 1942, subpart G 
and will select a grantee subject to the grantee's satisfactory 
submission of a formal application and related materials in the manner 
and timeframe established by RBS in accordance with 7 CFR part 1942, 
subpart G. It is anticipated that the grantees will be selected by July 
7, 2006. All applicants will be notified by RBS of the Agency's 
decision on the awards.

Nondiscrimination Statement

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, 
national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital 
status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, 
genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or 
part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance 
program. (Not all

[[Page 13343]]

prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who 
require alternative means for communication of program information 
(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET 
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
    To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, 
Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 
20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). 
``USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.''

    Dated: February 23, 2006.
Jackie J. Gleason,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. E6-3761 Filed 3-14-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
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