Inviting Applications for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2012, 12792-12795 [2012-5043]

Download as PDF 12792 Notices Federal Register Vol. 77, No. 42 Friday, March 2, 2012 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Notice of Forest Service Land Management Plans To Be Amended To Incorporate Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Measures Forest Service, USDA. Notice, Request for Comments. AGENCY: ACTION: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a Notice of Intent (NOI) on December 9, 2011 [76 FR 77008] to prepare environmental impact statements (EISs) and supplemental environmental impact statements to incorporate greater sagegrouse conservation measures into land use plans and land management plans. The BLM is the lead agency for this action and in the preparation of these EISs and Supplemental EISs and the Forest Service is participating as a cooperating agency. On February 10, 2012 [77 FR 7178] the BLM published a Notice of Correction that changed the names of the regions that are coordinating the Environmental Impact Statements and Supplemental EISs, extended the scoping period, and added 11 Forest Service Land Management Plans to this process. This notice has been published to ensure all stakeholders, interested in Forest Service activities, are aware of the Notice of Intent published by the BLM and are provided a complete list of potentially impacted forests and grasslands. SUMMARY: Consistent with the February 10, 2012, BLM Notice of Correction, comments on issues as part of the public scoping process for the EISs/SEISs may be submitted in writing until March 23, 2012. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the greater sage-grouse planning effort by any of the following methods: tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES DATES: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Mar 01, 2012 Jkt 226001 • Rocky Mountain Region: Web site: https://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/ more/sagegrouse/eastern.html. Email: sageeast@blm.gov. Fax: 307–775–6042. Mail: Eastern Region Project Manager, BLM Wyoming State Office, 5353 Yellowstone, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009. • Great Basin Region: Web site: https://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/ more/sagegrouse/western.html. Email: sagewest@blm.gov. Fax: 775–861–6747. Mail: Western Region Project Manager, BLM Nevada State Office, 1340 Financial Blvd., Reno, Nevada 89502. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have your name added to our mailing list, contact: • Johanna Munson, Rocky Mountain Region Project Manager, telephone 307– 775–6329; address 5353 Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne, WY 82009; email jmunson@blm.gov, or: • Lauren Mermejo, Great Basin Region Project Manager, telephone 775– 861–6400; address 1340 Financial Boulevard, Reno, NV 89520; email lmermejo@blm.gov, or • Glen Stein, Forest Service Project Manager, telephone 801–625–5281; address 324 25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401; email gstein@fs.fed.us. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Although the majority of all scoping meetings have been completed, the date(s) and location(s) of any additional scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers, and the BLM Web site for the Rocky Mountain Region at https:// www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/ sagegrouse/eastern.html, and for the Great Basin Region at https:// www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/ sagegrouse/western.html. Comments that are specific to a particular area, Resource Management Plan, or Land Management Plan should be identified as such. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EISs/SEISs. Following are the list of National Forests and Grassland potentially impacted: Within the Rocky Mountain Region • Æ • Æ Æ PO 00000 Colorado Routt National Forest Utah Ashley National Forest Manti-Lasal National Forest Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Æ Æ • Æ Æ Æ Wasatch-Cache National Forest Uinta National Forest Wyoming Thunder Basin National Grassland Bridger-Teton National Forest Medicine Bow National Forest Within the Great Basin Region • Idaho Æ Boise National Forest Æ Salmon National Forest Æ Challis National Forest Æ Targhee National Forest Æ Curlew National Grassland Æ Caribou National Forest Æ Sawtooth National Forest • Montana Æ Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest • Nevada Æ Humboldt National Forest Æ Toiyabe National Forest • Utah Æ Dixie National Forest Æ Fishlake National Forest Dated: February 21, 2012. Faye L. Krueger, Associate Deputy Chief, NFS. [FR Doc. 2012–5048 Filed 3–1–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Business-Cooperative Service Inviting Applications for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2012 Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This Notice is to invite applications for loans and grants under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program pursuant to 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012. Funding to support $33 million in loans and $10 million in grants is currently available. The commitment of program dollars will be made to applicants of selected responses that have fulfilled the necessary requirements for obligation. Expenses incurred in developing applications will be at the applicant’s risk. DATES: The deadline for receipt of applications in the USDA Rural Development State Office is no later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on the last business day of each month in FY 2012. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\02MRN1.SGM 02MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 42 / Friday, March 2, 2012 / Notices Submit applications in paper format to the USDA Rural Development State Office in the state where your project is located. A list of the USDA Rural Development State Offices addresses and telephone numbers are as follows: ADDRESSES: Alabama USDA Rural Development State Office, Sterling Centre, Suite 601, 4121 Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 36106– 3683, (334) 279–3400/TDD (334) 279–3495 Alaska USDA Rural Development State Office, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201, Palmer, AK 99645–6539, (907) 761–7707/TDD (907) 761–8905 Arizona USDA Rural Development State Office, 230 North First Avenue, Suite 206, Phoenix, AZ 85003–1706, (602) 280–8702/TDD (602) 280–8705 Illinois USDA Rural Development State Office, 2118 West Park Court, Suite A, Champaign, IL 61821–2986, (217) 403–6200/TDD (217) 403–6240 Indiana USDA Rural Development State Office, 5975 Lakeside Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46278–1996, (317) 290–3100 ext. 4/TDD (317) 290–3343 Iowa USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 873, 210 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309–2117, (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 Arkansas USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Room 3416, Little Rock, AR 72201–3225, (501) 301–3200/TDD (501) 301–3279 USDA Rural Development State Office, 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Lexington, KY 40503–5439, (859) 224–7300/TDD (859) 224–7422 Louisiana USDA Rural Development State Office, 3727 Government Street, Alexandria, LA 71302– 3327, (318) 473–7920/TDD (318) 473–7655 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, Denver Federal Center, Building 56, Room 2300, P.O. Box 25426, Denver, CO 80225– 0426, (720) 544–2903/TDD (800) 659–3656 Delaware-Maryland USDA Rural Development State Office, 1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE 19904–8724, (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) 338–3499 Georgia 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) 253–4590 Michigan USDA Rural Development State Office, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200, East Lansing, MI 48823–6350, (517) 324–5190/TDD (517) 324–5169 Minnesota USDA Rural Development State Office, 410 Agri-Bank Building, 375 Jackson Street, Suite 410, St. Paul, MN 55101–1853, (651) 602–7800/TDD (651) 602–3799 Mississippi Hawaii tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES USDA Rural Development State Office, Stephens Federal Building, 355 East Hancock Avenue, Stop 300, Athens, GA 30601–2768, (706) 546–2162/TDD (706) 546–2034 Missouri USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 311, 154 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720–2486, (808) 933–8302/TDD (808) 933–8321 USDA Rural Development State Office, 601 Business Loop 70 West, Parkade Center, Suite 235, Columbia, MO 65203–2579, (573) 876–0987/TDD (573) 876–9480 Idaho Montana USDA Rural Development State Office, 9173 West Barnes Drive, Suite A1, Boise, ID 83709–1574, (208) 378–5601/TDD (208) 378–5644 USDA Rural Development State Office, 2229 Boot Hill Court, P.O. Box 850, Bozeman, MT 59718–4011, (406) 585–2580/TDD (406) 585–2562 VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Mar 01, 2012 Jkt 226001 USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 831, 100 West Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39269–1608, (601) 965–4211/TDD (601) 965–5850 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 12793 Nebraska USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 152, 100 Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, NE 68508– 3803, (308) 632–2195/TDD (402) 437–5093 Nevada USDA Rural Development State Office, 1390 South Curry Street, Carson City, NV 89703–5146, (775) 887–1222/TDD (775) 885–0633 New Jersey USDA Rural Development State Office, 5th Floor North, Suite 500, 8000 Midlantic Drive, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054–1522, (856) 787–7700/TDD (856) 787–7784 New Mexico USDA Rural Development State Office, 6200 Jefferson Street, Room 255, Albuquerque, NM 87109–3434, (505) 761–4950/TDD (505) 761–4938 New York USDA Rural Development State Office, The Galleries of Syracuse, 441 South Salina Street, Suite 357, Syracuse, NY 13202– 2541, (315) 477–6435/TDD (315) 477–6447 North Carolina USDA Rural Development State Office, 4405 Bland Road, Suite 260, Raleigh, NC 27609– 6293, (919) 873–2015/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 Oregon USDA Rural Development State Office, 1201 Northeast Lloyd Blvd., Suite 801, Portland, OR 97232–1274, (503) 414–3305/TDD (503) 414–3387 Pennsylvania USDA Rural Development State Office, One Credit Union Place, Suite 330, Harrisburg, PA 17110–2996, (717) 237–2262/TDD (717) 237–2261 Puerto Rico USDA Rural Development State Office, IBM Building, Suite 601, 654 Munos Rivera Avenue, 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 29201–2449, (803) 765–5163/TDD (803) 765–5697 E:\FR\FM\02MRN1.SGM 02MRN1 12794 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 42 / Friday, March 2, 2012 / Notices South Dakota USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 210, 200 Fourth Street SW., Huron, SD 57350–2461, (605) 352–1100/TDD (605) 352–1147 Dates: Application Deadline: Completed applications must be received in the State Office by 4:30 p.m. (local time) on the last business day of each month in FY 2012. any Federal debt or otherwise disqualified from participation in these programs are eligible to apply. An applicant must be eligible under 7 U.S.C. 940c. Tennessee USDA Rural Development State Office, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37203–1071, (615) 783–1300 I. Funding Opportunity Description The regulations for these programs are at 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. The primary objective of the program is to promote rural economic development and job creation projects. Assistance provided to rural areas, as defined, under this program may include business startup costs, business expansion, business incubators, technical assistance feasibility studies, advanced telecommunications services and computer networks for medical, educational, and job training services and community facilities projects for economic development. Awards are made on a competitive basis using specific selection criteria contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. Information required to be in the application includes an SF–424, ‘‘Application for Federal Assistance;’’ a Resolution of the Board of Directors; AD–1047, ‘‘Debarment/Suspension Certification;’’ Assurance Statement for the Uniform Act; Restrictions on Lobbying, AD 1049, ‘‘Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements;’’ Form RD 400–1, ‘‘Equal Opportunity Agreement;’’ Form RD 400–4, ‘‘Assurance Agreement;’’ Seismic Certification (if construction); Form RD 1940–20, ‘‘Request for Environmental Information;’’ RUS Form 7,’’Financial and Statistical Report;’’ and RUS Form 7a, ‘‘Investments, Loan Guarantees, and Loans,’’ or similar information; and written narrative of project description. Applications will be tentatively scored by the State Offices and submitted to the National Office for review. B. Cost Sharing or Matching For loans, either the Ultimate Recipient or the Intermediary must provide supplemental funds for the project equal to at least 20 percent of the loan to the Intermediary. For grants, the Intermediary must establish a Revolving Loan Fund and contribute an amount equal to at least 20 percent of the Grant. The supplemental contribution must come from Intermediary’s funds which may not be from other Federal Grants, unless permitted by law. Texas USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 102, 101 South Main, Temple, TX 76501–7651, (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) 524–4321/TDD (801) 524–3309 Vermont/New Hampshire USDA Rural Development State Office, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602–4449, (802) 828– 6080/TDD (802) 223–6365 Virginia USDA Rural Development State Office, Culpeper Building, Suite 238, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Richmond, VA 23229–5014, (804) 287–1552/TDD (804) 287–1753 Washington USDA Rural Development State Office, 1835 Black Lake Boulevard SW., Suite B, Olympia, WA 98512–5715, (360) 704– 7740/TDD (360) 704–7760 West Virginia USDA Rural Development State Office, 1550 Earl Core Road, Suite 101, Morgantown, WV 26505–7500, (304) 284–4860/TDD (304) 284–4836 Wisconsin USDA Rural Development State Office, 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens Point, WI 54481– 7044, (715) 345–7600/TDD (715) 345–7614 Wyoming USDA Rural Development State Office, P.O. Box 11005, 100 East B Street, Room 1005, Casper, WY 82601–5006, (307) 233–6703/ TDD (307) 233–6733 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Rural Development State Office identified in this Notice where the project will be located. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Overview Federal Agency: Rural BusinessCooperative Service. Funding Opportunity Type: Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants. Announcement Type: Initial Announcement. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.854. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Mar 01, 2012 Jkt 226001 Definitions The definitions are published at 7 CFR 4280.3. II. Award Information Type of Awards: Loans and Grants. Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2012. Maximum Anticipated Award: Loans—$1,000,000; Grant—$300,000. Anticipated Award Dates: The last day of the month following the month in which application was received. III. Eligibility Information A. Eligible Applicants Loans and grants may be made to any entity that is identified by USDA Rural Development as an eligible borrower under the Rural Electrification Act. In accordance with 7 CFR 4280.13, applicants that are not delinquent on PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 C. Other Eligibility Requirements Applications will only be accepted for projects that promote rural economic development and job creation. D. Completeness Eligibility Applications will not be considered for funding if they do not provide sufficient information to determine eligibility or are missing required elements. IV. Fiscal Year 2012 Application and Submission Information A. Address to Request Application Package For further information, entities wishing to apply for assistance should contact the Rural Development State Office identified in this Notice to obtain copies of the application package. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications through the Grants.gov Web site at: https://www.grants.gov. Applications may be submitted in either electronic or paper format. Users of Grants.gov will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it off line, and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov Web site. Applications may not be submitted by electronic mail. • When you enter the Grants.gov Web site, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site as well as the hours of operation. USDA Rural Development strongly recommends that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov. To use Grants.gov, applicants must have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number which can be obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at 1–866–705–5711 or at https:// www.dnb.com. • You may submit all documents electronically through the Web site, E:\FR\FM\02MRN1.SGM 02MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 42 / Friday, March 2, 2012 / Notices including all information typically included on the application for REDLGs and all necessary assurances and certifications. • After electronically submitting an application through the Web site, the applicant will receive an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. • USDA Rural Development may request that the applicant provide original signatures on forms at a later date. • If applicants experience technical difficulties on the closing date and are unable to meet the deadline, you may submit a paper copy of your application to your respective Rural Development State Office. Paper applications submitted to a Rural Development State Office must meet the closing date and local time deadline. Please note that applicants must locate the downloadable application package for this program by the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number or FedGrants Funding Opportunity Number, which can be found at https:// www.grants.gov. VI. Award Administration Information B. Content and Form of Submission VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act An application must contain all of the required elements. Each selection priority criterion outlined in 7 CFR 4280.42(b), must be addressed in the application. Failure to address any of the criteria will result in a zero-point score for that criterion and will impact the overall evaluation of the application. Copies of 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A, will be provided to any interested applicant making a request to a Rural Development State Office listed in this notice. C. Submission Dates and Times Application Deadline Dates: 4:30 p.m. (local time) on the last business day of each month. Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be in the Rural Development State Office by the deadline dates as indicated above. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES V. Application Review Information The National Office will score applications based on the grant selection criteria and weights contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A, and will select an Intermediary subject to the Intermediary’s satisfactory submission of the additional items required by 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A, and the USDA Rural Development Letter of Conditions. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Mar 01, 2012 Jkt 226001 A. Award Notices Successful applicants will receive notification for funding from the Rural Development State Office. Applicants must comply with all applicable statutes and regulations before the loan/grant award will be approved. Provided the application requirements have not changed, an application not selected will be reconsidered in three subsequent funding competitions for a total of four competitions. If an application is withdrawn, it can be resubmitted and will be evaluated as a new application. B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements Additional requirements that apply to Intermediary’s selected for this program can be found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. Applicable provisions of 7 CFR parts 3015, 3019, and 3052 also apply. VII. Agency Contacts For general questions about this announcement, please contact your Rural Development State Office identified in this Notice. 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. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act All grant applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number, which can be obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at 1–866–705–5711 or online at https://fedgov.dnb.com/webor. Similarly, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, all applicants must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) prior to submitting an application. Applicants may register for the CCR at https://www.ccr.gov, or by calling 1–866– 606–8220 and press ‘‘1’’ for CCR. All recipients of Federal financial grant assistance are required to report information about first-tier sub-awards and executive total compensation in accordance with 2 CFR Part 170. 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, PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 12795 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, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call tollfree at (866) 632–9992 (English) or (800) 877–8339 (TTD) or (866) 377–8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845– 6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. February 23, 2012. Judith A. Canales, Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service. [FR Doc. 2012–5043 Filed 3–1–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). Agency: U.S. Census Bureau. Title: 2008 Panel of the Survey of Income and Program Participation, Wave 13 Topical Module. OMB Control Number: 0607–0944. Form Number(s): SIPP 281305(L), Director’s Letter: SIPP 281305(L)SP, Director’s Letter (Spanish); SIPP/CAPI Automated Instrument. Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection. Burden Hours: 143,303. Number of Respondents: 94,500. Average Hours per Response: 30 minutes. Needs and Uses: The U.S. Census Bureau requests authorization from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct a topical module during the Wave 13 interview for the 2008 Panel of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). The core SIPP and reinterview instruments were cleared under Authorization No. 0607– 0944. E:\FR\FM\02MRN1.SGM 02MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 42 (Friday, March 2, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12792-12795]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5043]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Inviting Applications for the Rural Economic Development Loan and 
Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2012

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This Notice is to invite applications for loans and grants 
under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program 
pursuant to 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012. 
Funding to support $33 million in loans and $10 million in grants is 
currently available. The commitment of program dollars will be made to 
applicants of selected responses that have fulfilled the necessary 
requirements for obligation. Expenses incurred in developing 
applications will be at the applicant's risk.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of applications in the USDA Rural 
Development State Office is no later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on the 
last business day of each month in FY 2012.

[[Page 12793]]


ADDRESSES: Submit applications in paper format to the USDA Rural 
Development State Office in the state where your project is located. A 
list of the USDA Rural Development State Offices addresses and 
telephone numbers are as follows:

Alabama

USDA Rural Development State Office, Sterling Centre, Suite 601, 
4121 Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 36106-3683, (334) 279-3400/TDD 
(334) 279-3495

Alaska

USDA Rural Development State Office, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201, 
Palmer, AK 99645-6539, (907) 761-7707/TDD (907) 761-8905

Arizona

USDA Rural Development State Office, 230 North First Avenue, Suite 
206, Phoenix, AZ 85003-1706, (602) 280-8702/TDD (602) 280-8705

Arkansas

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, 700 West 
Capitol Avenue, Room 3416, Little Rock, AR 72201-3225, (501) 301-
3200/TDD (501) 301-3279

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, Denver Federal Center, Building 
56, Room 2300, P.O. Box 25426, Denver, CO 80225-0426, (720) 544-
2903/TDD (800) 659-3656

Delaware-Maryland

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1221 College Park Drive, Suite 
200, Dover, DE 19904-8724, (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-
3499

Georgia

USDA Rural Development State Office, Stephens Federal Building, 355 
East Hancock Avenue, Stop 300, Athens, GA 30601-2768, (706) 546-
2162/TDD (706) 546-2034

Hawaii

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 311, 154 
Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720-2486, (808) 933-8302/TDD (808) 
933-8321

Idaho

USDA Rural Development State Office, 9173 West Barnes Drive, Suite 
A1, Boise, ID 83709-1574, (208) 378-5601/TDD (208) 378-5644

Illinois

USDA Rural Development State Office, 2118 West Park Court, Suite A, 
Champaign, IL 61821-2986, (217) 403-6200/TDD (217) 403-6240

Indiana

USDA Rural Development State Office, 5975 Lakeside Boulevard, 
Indianapolis, IN 46278-1996, (317) 290-3100 ext. 4/TDD (317) 290-
3343

Iowa

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 873, 210 
Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309-2117, (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 40503-5439, (859) 224-7300/TDD (859) 224-7422

Louisiana

USDA Rural Development State Office, 3727 Government Street, 
Alexandria, LA 71302-3327, (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) 253-4590

Michigan

USDA Rural Development State Office, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200, 
East Lansing, MI 48823-6350, (517) 324-5190/TDD (517) 324-5169

Minnesota

USDA Rural Development State Office, 410 Agri-Bank Building, 375 
Jackson Street, Suite 410, 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 39269-1608, (601) 965-4211/TDD 
(601) 965-5850

Missouri

USDA Rural Development State Office, 601 Business Loop 70 West, 
Parkade Center, Suite 235, Columbia, MO 65203-2579, (573) 876-0987/
TDD (573) 876-9480

Montana

USDA Rural Development State Office, 2229 Boot Hill Court, P.O. Box 
850, Bozeman, MT 59718-4011, (406) 585-2580/TDD (406) 585-2562

Nebraska

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 152, 100 
Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, NE 68508-3803, (308) 632-2195/TDD 
(402) 437-5093

Nevada

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1390 South Curry Street, Carson 
City, NV 89703-5146, (775) 887-1222/TDD (775) 885-0633

New Jersey

USDA Rural Development State Office, 5th Floor North, Suite 500, 
8000 Midlantic Drive, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054-1522, (856) 787-7700/TDD 
(856) 787-7784

New Mexico

USDA Rural Development State Office, 6200 Jefferson Street, Room 
255, Albuquerque, NM 87109-3434, (505) 761-4950/TDD (505) 761-4938

New York

USDA Rural Development State Office, The Galleries of Syracuse, 441 
South Salina Street, Suite 357, Syracuse, NY 13202-2541, (315) 477-
6435/TDD (315) 477-6447

North Carolina

USDA Rural Development State Office, 4405 Bland Road, Suite 260, 
Raleigh, NC 27609-6293, (919) 873-2015/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

Oregon

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1201 Northeast Lloyd Blvd., 
Suite 801, Portland, OR 97232-1274, (503) 414-3305/TDD (503) 414-
3387

Pennsylvania

USDA Rural Development State Office, One Credit Union Place, Suite 
330, Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996, (717) 237-2262/TDD (717) 237-2261

Puerto Rico

USDA Rural Development State Office, IBM Building, Suite 601, 654 
Munos Rivera Avenue, 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 29201-2449, 
(803) 765-5163/TDD (803) 765-5697

[[Page 12794]]

South Dakota

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 210, 200 
Fourth Street SW., Huron, SD 57350-2461, (605) 352-1100/TDD (605) 
352-1147

Tennessee

USDA Rural Development State Office, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 
300, Nashville, TN 37203-1071, (615) 783-1300

Texas

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 102, 
101 South Main, Temple, TX 76501-7651, (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) 524-4321/TDD (801) 524-3309

Vermont/New Hampshire

USDA Rural Development State Office, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main 
Street, Montpelier, VT 05602-4449, (802) 828-6080/TDD (802) 223-6365

Virginia

USDA Rural Development State Office, Culpeper Building, Suite 238, 
1606 Santa Rosa Road, Richmond, VA 23229-5014, (804) 287-1552/TDD 
(804) 287-1753

Washington

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1835 Black Lake Boulevard SW., 
Suite B, Olympia, WA 98512-5715, (360) 704-7740/TDD (360) 704-7760

West Virginia

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1550 Earl Core Road, Suite 101, 
Morgantown, WV 26505-7500, (304) 284-4860/TDD (304) 284-4836

Wisconsin

USDA Rural Development State Office, 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens 
Point, WI 54481-7044, (715) 345-7600/TDD (715) 345-7614

Wyoming

USDA Rural Development State Office, P.O. Box 11005, 100 East B 
Street, Room 1005, Casper, WY 82601-5006, (307) 233-6703/TDD (307) 
233-6733

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Rural Development State Office 
identified in this Notice where the project will be located.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Overview

    Federal Agency: Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
    Funding Opportunity Type: Rural Economic Development Loans and 
Grants.
    Announcement Type: Initial Announcement.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.854.
    Dates: Application Deadline: Completed applications must be 
received in the State Office by 4:30 p.m. (local time) on the last 
business day of each month in FY 2012.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The regulations for these programs are at 7 CFR part 4280, subpart 
A. The primary objective of the program is to promote rural economic 
development and job creation projects. Assistance provided to rural 
areas, as defined, under this program may include business startup 
costs, business expansion, business incubators, technical assistance 
feasibility studies, advanced telecommunications services and computer 
networks for medical, educational, and job training services and 
community facilities projects for economic development. Awards are made 
on a competitive basis using specific selection criteria contained in 7 
CFR part 4280, subpart A. Information required to be in the application 
includes an SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance;'' a 
Resolution of the Board of Directors; AD-1047, ``Debarment/Suspension 
Certification;'' Assurance Statement for the Uniform Act; Restrictions 
on Lobbying, AD 1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements;'' Form RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement;'' Form RD 
400-4, ``Assurance Agreement;'' Seismic Certification (if 
construction); Form RD 1940-20, ``Request for Environmental 
Information;'' RUS Form 7,''Financial and Statistical Report;'' and RUS 
Form 7a, ``Investments, Loan Guarantees, and Loans,'' or similar 
information; and written narrative of project description. Applications 
will be tentatively scored by the State Offices and submitted to the 
National Office for review.

Definitions

    The definitions are published at 7 CFR 4280.3.

II. Award Information

    Type of Awards: Loans and Grants.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2012.
    Maximum Anticipated Award: Loans--$1,000,000; Grant--$300,000.
    Anticipated Award Dates: The last day of the month following the 
month in which application was received.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    Loans and grants may be made to any entity that is identified by 
USDA Rural Development as an eligible borrower under the Rural 
Electrification Act. In accordance with 7 CFR 4280.13, applicants that 
are not delinquent on any Federal debt or otherwise disqualified from 
participation in these programs are eligible to apply. An applicant 
must be eligible under 7 U.S.C. 940c.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

    For loans, either the Ultimate Recipient or the Intermediary must 
provide supplemental funds for the project equal to at least 20 percent 
of the loan to the Intermediary. For grants, the Intermediary must 
establish a Revolving Loan Fund and contribute an amount equal to at 
least 20 percent of the Grant. The supplemental contribution must come 
from Intermediary's funds which may not be from other Federal Grants, 
unless permitted by law.

C. Other Eligibility Requirements

    Applications will only be accepted for projects that promote rural 
economic development and job creation.

D. Completeness Eligibility

    Applications will not be considered for funding if they do not 
provide sufficient information to determine eligibility or are missing 
required elements.

IV. Fiscal Year 2012 Application and Submission Information

A. Address to Request Application Package

    For further information, entities wishing to apply for assistance 
should contact the Rural Development State Office identified in this 
Notice to obtain copies of the application package.
    Applicants are encouraged to submit applications through the 
Grants.gov Web site at: https://www.grants.gov. Applications may be 
submitted in either electronic or paper format. Users of Grants.gov 
will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it 
off line, and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov 
Web site. Applications may not be submitted by electronic mail.
     When you enter the Grants.gov Web site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site as well as the hours of operation. USDA Rural Development strongly 
recommends that you do not wait until the application deadline date to 
begin the application process through Grants.gov. To use Grants.gov, 
applicants must have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering 
System (DUNS) number which can be obtained at no cost via a toll-free 
request line at 1-866-705-5711 or at https://www.dnb.com.
     You may submit all documents electronically through the 
Web site,

[[Page 12795]]

including all information typically included on the application for 
REDLGs and all necessary assurances and certifications.
     After electronically submitting an application through the 
Web site, the applicant will receive an automatic acknowledgement from 
Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number.
     USDA Rural Development may request that the applicant 
provide original signatures on forms at a later date.
     If applicants experience technical difficulties on the 
closing date and are unable to meet the deadline, you may submit a 
paper copy of your application to your respective Rural Development 
State Office. Paper applications submitted to a Rural Development State 
Office must meet the closing date and local time deadline.
    Please note that applicants must locate the downloadable 
application package for this program by the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance Number or FedGrants Funding Opportunity Number, which can be 
found at https://www.grants.gov.

B. Content and Form of Submission

    An application must contain all of the required elements. Each 
selection priority criterion outlined in 7 CFR 4280.42(b), must be 
addressed in the application. Failure to address any of the criteria 
will result in a zero-point score for that criterion and will impact 
the overall evaluation of the application. Copies of 7 CFR part 4280, 
subpart A, will be provided to any interested applicant making a 
request to a Rural Development State Office listed in this notice.

C. Submission Dates and Times

    Application Deadline Dates: 4:30 p.m. (local time) on the last 
business day of each month.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be in the Rural 
Development State Office by the deadline dates as indicated above.

V. Application Review Information

    The National Office will score applications based on the grant 
selection criteria and weights contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A, 
and will select an Intermediary subject to the Intermediary's 
satisfactory submission of the additional items required by 7 CFR part 
4280, subpart A, and the USDA Rural Development Letter of Conditions.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

    Successful applicants will receive notification for funding from 
the Rural Development State Office. Applicants must comply with all 
applicable statutes and regulations before the loan/grant award will be 
approved. Provided the application requirements have not changed, an 
application not selected will be reconsidered in three subsequent 
funding competitions for a total of four competitions. If an 
application is withdrawn, it can be resubmitted and will be evaluated 
as a new application.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Additional requirements that apply to Intermediary's selected for 
this program can be found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. Applicable 
provisions of 7 CFR parts 3015, 3019, and 3052 also apply.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For general questions about this announcement, please contact your 
Rural Development State Office identified in this Notice.

VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act

    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.
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act
    All grant applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must have a 
Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number, which 
can be obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at 1-866-705-
5711 or online at https://fedgov.dnb.com/webor. Similarly, in accordance 
with 2 CFR part 25, all applicants must be registered in the Central 
Contractor Registration (CCR) prior to submitting an application. 
Applicants may register for the CCR at https://www.ccr.gov, or by 
calling 1-866-606-8220 and press ``1'' for CCR. All recipients of 
Federal financial grant assistance are required to report information 
about first-tier sub-awards and executive total compensation in 
accordance with 2 CFR Part 170.
    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, Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil 
Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-
9410 or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 
(TTD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 
(Spanish Federal-relay). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and 
employer.

    February 23, 2012.
Judith A. Canales,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-5043 Filed 3-1-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
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