Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service August 4, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of the Census (U.S. Census Bureau) publishes this notice to announce that it is planning to conduct the 2017 Economic Census. The Census Bureau also is requesting public comment on the 2017 Economic Census content. This collection will be fully electronic using a secure encrypted Internet data collection system called Centurion. The Economic Census is conducted at 5-year intervals (years ending in 2 and 7) and is the most comprehensive compilation of statistics about U.S. businesses and the economy. The granting of specific authority to conduct the program is Title 13, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 131, which authorizes and requires the Economic Census.

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA) is organizing an Executive-led Smart Cities Infrastructure Business Development Mission to India (New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, with an optional spin off site visit to Vizag) from February 8-12, 2016. Today, India's cities account for approximately 60% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). By 2030, that share is expected to reach 75% and the urban labor force is expected to increase by nearly 200 million workers. The new Indian Government led by Prime Minister Modi assumed office in June 2014 with an overwhelming mandate to focus on economic development. To capture the popular imagination and motivate the people of India, the new government has proposed a dramatic nationwide program to build 100 smart cities. In practice this will mean a wide variety of major infrastructure projects across the country that will be funded by the central and state governments over the next few years along with private sector capital. Infrastructure needs in India are estimated to be in the $1.5-$2 trillion range. The recently launched initiative will move to define and implement reforms that drive the growth of smart cities. At this stage, the government has highlighted resource management, 24 hour water and power supply, world class transportation systems, state of the art education systems, advanced e-government, and environmental sustainability as pillars of India's smart cities. This initiative offers excellent opportunities for U.S. companies to participate in these projects in selected areas and sectors. In recognition of cutting-edge U.S. technologies, products and services, the Government of India is encouraging the U.S. Government (USG) and U.S. companies to take the lead in developing smart city projects in three major urban areas: Ajmer in the state of Rajasthan, Allahabad in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Vishakhapatnam (aka Vizag) in the state of Andhra Pradesh. With the support of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, U.S. companies will be involved in planning and technical assistance for each of these cities. However, U.S. participation is not limited to these three cities. CS India, in partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce and other local commercial chambers, has been staging events throughout the country in cities with additional public and private smart city projects.

The United States Manufacturing Council (Council) will hold the third meeting of the current members' term by teleconference on Wednesday, August 19, 2015. The Council was established in April 2004 to advise the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the U.S. manufacturing industry. The purpose of the meeting is for Council members to review and deliberate on recommendations developed by the Workforce subcommittee looking at issues of improving the image of manufacturing as a career path and developing skilled workers for consideration by the Manufacturing Council. The agenda may change to accommodate Council business. The final agenda will be posted on the Department of Commerce Web site for the Council at https://trade.gov/manufacturingcouncil, at least one week in advance of the meeting.

NMFS published a final rule on July 17, 2015, to, in part, implement provisions that would expand a portion of the northern boundary of the Cape Lookout Lophelia Banks Deepwater Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern (Cape Lookout CHAPC). The final rule included coordinates for only the expansion of the Cape Lookout CHAPC instead of the coordinates for the existing CHAPC plus the expanded area. This notification corrects the coordinates for the Cape Lookout CHAPC to encompass the existing CHAPC plus the expanded area.

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 comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).