Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Semi-Annual and Annual Data Collection Instruments for Economic Development Administration Grantees (Non-Infrastructure Programs), 61009-61010 [2019-24583]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 218 / Tuesday, November 12, 2019 / Notices where each selected person should be counted on Census Day (according to 2020 Census residence rules). For example, interviewers will probe for additional addresses where the person may have stayed during the year and dates of stay for each address. The PES Person Followup Reinterview is a quality control operation that will be conducted on about 15 percent of the PES PFU cases. The purpose of the PES Person Followup Reinterview is to confirm that the PES Person Followup interviewer conducted a PES Person Followup interview with a household member or a proxy respondent and to conduct the complete PES Person Followup interview as needed if the original interview seems questionable. Affected Public: Individuals or Households. Frequency: One Time. Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory. Legal Authority: Title 13, U.S. Code, Sections 141 and 193. This information collection request may be viewed at www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to view Department of Commerce collections currently under review by OMB. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to OIRA_Submission@ omb.eop.gov or fax to (202) 395–5806. Sheleen Dumas, Departmental Lead PRA Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Commerce Department. [FR Doc. 2019–24587 Filed 11–8–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–07–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Economic Development Administration Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Semi-Annual and Annual Data Collection Instruments for Economic Development Administration Grantees (Non-Infrastructure Programs) Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the proposed information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:47 Nov 08, 2019 Jkt 250001 Written comments must be submitted on or before January 13, 2020. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments, requests for additional information, or requests for copies of the proposed information collection instrument and instructions to Ksenia Shadrina, Lead Performance and Program Evaluation Analyst, Performance and National Programs Division, Economic Development Administration U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Mail Stop 71030, Washington, DC 20230, or via email at KShadrina@ eda.gov or PRAcomments@doc.gov. All comments received are part of the public record. Comments will generally be posted without change. All Personally Identifiable Information (for example, name and address) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. All comments submitted in response to this notice are a part of the public record and will be made available to the public, which may include posting them on the Regulations.gov website. Comments will generally be posted without change. Please do not include information of a confidential nature, such as sensitive personal information or proprietary information. All Personally Identifiable Information (for example, name and address) voluntarily submitted may be publicly accessible. If you send an email comment, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket. Please note that comments that include a message stating the confidentiality of the communication will be treated as public comments and will be made available to the public. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DATES: I. Abstract The Economic Development Administration (EDA) leads the Federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. The Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA) (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.) is EDA’s organic authority and is the primary legal authority under which EDA awards grants. Under PWEDA, EDA provides financial assistance to both rural and urban distressed communities by fostering entrepreneurship, innovation and productivity through investments in PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 61009 infrastructure development, capacity building and business development in order to attract private capital investments and new and better jobs to regions experiencing substantial and persistent economic distress. EDA’s expansive portfolio of programs, the changing economy, and advances in the field of program evaluation make updates to EDA’s methods for performance measurement and program evaluation necessary in order to ensure transparency, accountability, and effectiveness of EDA investments. The recently passed Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115– 435) further emphasizes the importance of updating existing methodologies for performance measurement and program evaluation to align with evolving best practices. EDA proposes revising Forms ED– 916, ED–917, and ED–918, which are currently used to collect limited performance information on sponsored activities and resulting outcomes from the grantees receiving assistance under just three of EDA’s non-infrastructure programs: Partnership Planning, University Center, and the Trade and Adjustment Assistance for Firms, respectively. The revised Forms ED– 916, ED–917, and ED–918 would instead comprehensively cover all of EDA’s non-infrastructure programs: Economic Adjustment Assistance (noninfrastructure projects), including new Revolving Loan Funds; Planning; Local Technical Assistance, including University Centers; Regional Innovation Strategies; Research and National Technical Assistance; and Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms. The data on program-sponsored activities and associated outcomes will be collected on semi-annual and annual bases, respectively. The revised data collection instruments were developed through cooperative agreements with a number of leading research institutions, most notably SRI International. The methodology and applications for the instruments are described in the Innovative Metrics for Economic Development report and Toolkit for Economic Development Practitioners that are available on EDA’s website at www.eda.gov/performance/. EDA does not propose to revise the remaining fourth form under this information collection, Form ED–915, which is used to collect information on infrastructure and existing revolving loan fund (RLF) projects funded through awards from EDA’s Public works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs. Form ED–915 would instead E:\FR\FM\12NON1.SGM 12NON1 61010 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 218 / Tuesday, November 12, 2019 / Notices be extended without change; however, EDA plans to revise Form ED–915 in the future to update the information collected on infrastructure projects. Note that all RLF awards made after the implementation of the revised Forms ED–916, ED–917, and ED–918 will be required to report performance information using those Forms; this requirement may be extended to all RLF awards when Form ED–915 is revised. II. Method of Collection The information will be collected through online data collection instruments. The information will be used by EDA personnel to monitor recipients’ compliance with EDA’s statutory and regulatory requirements and specific terms and conditions relating to individual awards, as well as for performance measurement and program evaluation analyses to ensure effectiveness of EDA’s programs. The information collected will not be disseminated to the public, except at the aggregated level in studies and reports. III. Data OMB Control Number: 0610–0098. Form Number(s): ED–915, ED–916, ED–917, ED–918. Type of Review: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection (Forms ED–916, ED–917, ED–918) and Extension (without revision) of a Currently Approved Collection (Form ED–915). Affected Public: EDA award recipients: State and local governments, institutions of higher education, not-forprofit organizations, and Indian Tribes. Estimated Number of Respondents: Revised Forms ED–916, ED–917, and ED–918: Semi-annual: 550 respondents Annual: 550 respondents Extended (without revision) Form ED– 915: 500 respondents Total annual number of responses: (550 × 3) + 500 = 2,150 respondents Estimated Time per Response: Revised Forms ED–916, ED–917, and ED–918: Semi-annual: 2.5 hours × 2 times per year Annual: 6 hours once per year Extended (without revision) Form ED– 915: 8 hours Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: Revised Forms ED–916, ED–917, and ED–918: Semi-annual: 2,750 burden hours per year Annual: 3,300 burden hours per year Extended Form ED–915: 4,000 hours Total hours: 10,050 burden hours per year Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $576,568 (cost assumes application of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics second quarter 2019 mean hourly wage for professional and related occupations of $57.37). IV. Request for Comments or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection. All public comments will become a matter of public record. Sheleen Dumas, Departmental Lead PRA Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Commerce Department. [FR Doc. 2019–24583 Filed 11–8–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–WH–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Economic Development Administration Notice of Petitions by Firms for Determination of Eligibility To Apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice and opportunity for public comment. AGENCY: The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has received petitions for certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance from the firms listed below. Accordingly, EDA has initiated investigations to determine whether increased imports into the United States of articles like or directly competitive with those produced by each of the firms contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of the firms’ workers, or threat thereof, and to a decrease in sales or production of each petitioning firm. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques LIST OF PETITIONS RECEIVED BY EDA FOR CERTIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE [10/29/2019 through 11/4/2019] Date accepted for investigation Firm name Firm address Soy Essentials, LLC d/b/a The SOI Company. Cadco, Ltd ......................... 5271 Jerusalem Court, Suite 1, Modesto, CA 95653. 200 International Way, Winsted, CT 06098. 10/31/2019 Confluence Outdoor, LLC .. 575 Mauldin Road, Suite 200, Greenville, SC 29607. 25 Van Zant Street, Unit 14–7B, Norwalk, CT 06855. 11/4/2019 Vista Group International, Inc. Any party having a substantial interest in these proceedings may request a public hearing on the matter. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:47 Nov 08, 2019 Jkt 250001 11/1/2019 11/4/2019 Product(s) The firm manufactures candles. The firm manufacturers commercial food service appliances, such as convection ovens, buffet servers, and warming cabinets. The firm manufactures kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, paddles, and related accessories. The firm manufacturers audio systems to accompany museum exhibits and for use by tour guides. A written request for a hearing must be submitted to the Trade Adjustment Assistance Division, Room 71030, PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, no later than ten E:\FR\FM\12NON1.SGM 12NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 218 (Tuesday, November 12, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61009-61010]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-24583]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Semi-Annual and 
Annual Data Collection Instruments for Economic Development 
Administration Grantees (Non-Infrastructure Programs)

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

ACTION: Notice.

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

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

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 13, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments, requests for additional 
information, or requests for copies of the proposed information 
collection instrument and instructions to Ksenia Shadrina, Lead 
Performance and Program Evaluation Analyst, Performance and National 
Programs Division, Economic Development Administration U.S. Department 
of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Mail Stop 71030, Washington, 
DC 20230, or via email at [email protected] or [email protected]. All 
comments received are part of the public record. Comments will 
generally be posted without change. All Personally Identifiable 
Information (for example, name and address) voluntarily submitted by 
the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential 
Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.
    All comments submitted in response to this notice are a part of the 
public record and will be made available to the public, which may 
include posting them on the Regulations.gov website. Comments will 
generally be posted without change. Please do not include information 
of a confidential nature, such as sensitive personal information or 
proprietary information. All Personally Identifiable Information (for 
example, name and address) voluntarily submitted may be publicly 
accessible. If you send an email comment, your email address will be 
automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is 
placed in the public docket. Please note that comments that include a 
message stating the confidentiality of the communication will be 
treated as public comments and will be made available to the public.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The Economic Development Administration (EDA) leads the Federal 
economic development agenda by promoting innovation and 
competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in 
the worldwide economy. The Public Works and Economic Development Act of 
1965 (PWEDA) (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.) is EDA's organic authority and is 
the primary legal authority under which EDA awards grants. Under PWEDA, 
EDA provides financial assistance to both rural and urban distressed 
communities by fostering entrepreneurship, innovation and productivity 
through investments in infrastructure development, capacity building 
and business development in order to attract private capital 
investments and new and better jobs to regions experiencing substantial 
and persistent economic distress.
    EDA's expansive portfolio of programs, the changing economy, and 
advances in the field of program evaluation make updates to EDA's 
methods for performance measurement and program evaluation necessary in 
order to ensure transparency, accountability, and effectiveness of EDA 
investments. The recently passed Foundations for Evidence-Based 
Policymaking Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-435) further emphasizes the 
importance of updating existing methodologies for performance 
measurement and program evaluation to align with evolving best 
practices.
    EDA proposes revising Forms ED-916, ED-917, and ED-918, which are 
currently used to collect limited performance information on sponsored 
activities and resulting outcomes from the grantees receiving 
assistance under just three of EDA's non-infrastructure programs: 
Partnership Planning, University Center, and the Trade and Adjustment 
Assistance for Firms, respectively. The revised Forms ED-916, ED-917, 
and ED-918 would instead comprehensively cover all of EDA's non-
infrastructure programs: Economic Adjustment Assistance (non-
infrastructure projects), including new Revolving Loan Funds; Planning; 
Local Technical Assistance, including University Centers; Regional 
Innovation Strategies; Research and National Technical Assistance; and 
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms. The data on program-sponsored 
activities and associated outcomes will be collected on semi-annual and 
annual bases, respectively.
    The revised data collection instruments were developed through 
cooperative agreements with a number of leading research institutions, 
most notably SRI International. The methodology and applications for 
the instruments are described in the Innovative Metrics for Economic 
Development report and Toolkit for Economic Development Practitioners 
that are available on EDA's website at www.eda.gov/performance/.
    EDA does not propose to revise the remaining fourth form under this 
information collection, Form ED-915, which is used to collect 
information on infrastructure and existing revolving loan fund (RLF) 
projects funded through awards from EDA's Public works and Economic 
Adjustment Assistance programs. Form ED-915 would instead

[[Page 61010]]

be extended without change; however, EDA plans to revise Form ED-915 in 
the future to update the information collected on infrastructure 
projects. Note that all RLF awards made after the implementation of the 
revised Forms ED-916, ED-917, and ED-918 will be required to report 
performance information using those Forms; this requirement may be 
extended to all RLF awards when Form ED-915 is revised.

II. Method of Collection

    The information will be collected through online data collection 
instruments. The information will be used by EDA personnel to monitor 
recipients' compliance with EDA's statutory and regulatory requirements 
and specific terms and conditions relating to individual awards, as 
well as for performance measurement and program evaluation analyses to 
ensure effectiveness of EDA's programs. The information collected will 
not be disseminated to the public, except at the aggregated level in 
studies and reports.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0610-0098.
    Form Number(s): ED-915, ED-916, ED-917, ED-918.
    Type of Review: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection (Forms 
ED-916, ED-917, ED-918) and Extension (without revision) of a Currently 
Approved Collection (Form ED-915).
    Affected Public: EDA award recipients: State and local governments, 
institutions of higher education, not-for-profit organizations, and 
Indian Tribes.
    Estimated Number of Respondents:

Revised Forms ED-916, ED-917, and ED-918:
    Semi-annual: 550 respondents
    Annual: 550 respondents
Extended (without revision) Form ED-915: 500 respondents
Total annual number of responses: (550 x 3) + 500 = 2,150 respondents

    Estimated Time per Response:
Revised Forms ED-916, ED-917, and ED-918:
    Semi-annual: 2.5 hours x 2 times per year
    Annual: 6 hours once per year
Extended (without revision) Form ED-915: 8 hours

    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:
Revised Forms ED-916, ED-917, and ED-918:
    Semi-annual: 2,750 burden hours per year
    Annual: 3,300 burden hours per year
Extended Form ED-915: 4,000 hours
Total hours: 10,050 burden hours per year

    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $576,568 (cost assumes 
application of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics second quarter 2019 mean 
hourly wage for professional and related occupations of $57.37).

IV. Request for Comments

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

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental Lead PRA Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, 
Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2019-24583 Filed 11-8-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-WH-P

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