Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Requirements for Approved Construction Investments, 88231-88232 [2024-25901]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• Economic Development Administration

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 216 (Thursday, November 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 88231-88232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-25901]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Requirements for Approved Construction Investments

AGENCY: Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before January 6, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Jeff Roberson, Chief Counsel, U.S. Department of Commerce, via email at 
[email protected] or via phone at (202) 482-1315. You may also submit 
comments to [email protected]. Please reference OMB Control Number 
0610-0096 in the subject line of your comments. Do not submit 
Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected 
information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Jeff Roberson, Chief Counsel, Economic Development Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce, via email at [email protected] or via 
phone at (202) 482-1315.

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. Guided by the basic principle that sustainable 
economic development should be locally driven, EDA works directly with 
communities and regions to help them build the capacity for economic 
development based on local business conditions and needs. 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 financial assistance. 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 to attract private capital investments and new and 
better jobs to regions experiencing economic distress. Further 
information on EDA programs and financial assistance opportunities can 
be found at www.eda.gov.
    To effectively administer and monitor its economic development 
assistance programs, EDA collects certain information from applications 
for, and recipients of, EDA investment assistance. EDA may award 
assistance for construction projects through its Public Works and 
Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) programs. Public Works program 
investments help support the construction or rehabilitation of 
essential public infrastructure and facilities necessary to generate or 
retain private sector jobs and investments, attract private sector 
capital, and promote vibrant economic ecosystems, regional 
competitiveness, and innovation. The EAA program provides a wide range 
of technical, planning, and infrastructure assistance in regions 
experiencing adverse economic changes that may occur suddenly or over 
time.
    EDA seeks comments from the public and other Federal agencies on a 
proposed revision and extension of the series of checklists and 
templates that constitute EDA's post-approval tool for construction 
projects. These checklists and templates, as well as any special 
conditions incorporated into the terms and conditions at the time of 
award, supplement the requirements that apply to EDA-funded 
construction projects.

[[Page 88232]]

II. Method of Collection

    The checklists and templates are collected via both paper and 
electronic submissions. These checklists and templates, as well as any 
special conditions incorporated into the terms and conditions at the 
time of award, supplement the requirements that apply to EDA-funded 
construction projects.
    As a part of this renewal process, EDA plans to make clarifying 
edits to the series of checklists and templates, thereby facilitating 
timely completion by the award recipient and approval by EDA. 
Additionally, EDA developed a collection to help recipients comply with 
the requirements of the Build America, Buy America provisions of the 
Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58); updated the 
environmental narrative form required for all construction projects; 
and developed a new version of its existing property reporting 
requirements to accommodate situations unique to Tribal recipients. 
None of the edits are expected to increase the time burden on the 
respondent nor do the modifications change the type of collected 
information.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0610-0096.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission; Revision and extension of a 
currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Recipients of EDA construction (Public Works or 
Economic Assistance Adjustment) awards, including (1) cities or other 
political subdivisions of a state, including a special purpose unit of 
state or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure 
development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions; (2) 
states; (3) institutions of higher education or a consortium of 
institutions of higher education; (4) public or private non-profit 
organizations or associations; (5) District Organizations; and (6) 
Indian Tribes or a consortia of Indian Tribes.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,500.
    Estimated Time per Response: 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,000 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $480,200 (cost assumes 
application of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics September 2024 hourly 
employer costs for employee compensation for professional and related 
occupations of $68.60).
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: The Public Works and Economic Development Act of 
1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.)

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2024-25901 Filed 11-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-24-P