Economic Development Administration 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) publishes this notice to extend the closing date for the submission of applications for a regional innovation systems research project under FY 2009 National Technical Assistance, Training, Research and Evaluation program (NTA Program) funding.

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 proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Economic Development Administration (``EDA'') published final regulations in the Federal Register on September 27, 2006. In March 2007, the Office of the Inspector General (``OIG'') published a report titled Aggressive EDA Leadership and Oversight Needed to Correct Persistent Problems in the RLF Program. In the time since the publication of this report, EDA has made significant improvements in the management and oversight of its revolving loan fund (``RLF'') program, including the issuance of written guidance that provides EDA staff with reasonable steps to help better ensure grantee compliance with RLF requirements. EDA is publishing this interim final rule (this ``IFR'') to synchronize the RLF regulations with that guidance. Additionally, EDA is publishing this IFR to make changes to certain definitions in the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program regulations set out in 13 CFR part 315. This IFR also provides notice of other substantive and non-substantive revisions made to the EDA regulations.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) publishes this notice to introduce its new Application for Investment Assistance (Form ED-900). Previously, applicants were required to complete and submit a Pre-Application for Investment Assistance (Form ED-900P), followed by an Application for Investment Assistance (Form ED-900A) if EDA deemed that the proposed project merited further consideration. In addition, applicants were required to submit additional application forms to address EDA's programmatic requirements, depending on the type of funding assistance sought. The new Form ED-900 consolidates all EDA- specific requirements into a single application form. EDA will continue to require additional government-wide federal grant assistance forms from the Standard Form 424 family as part of the application package. This change, which is effective November 1, 2008, is prospective and will not affect previously submitted applications or require the submission of new application packages.

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 proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is soliciting applications for FY 2008 National Technical Assistance, Training, Research and Evaluation program (NTA Program) funding. Through this notice, EDA solicits applications for funding that address one or more of the following three research projects: (1) Regional innovation systems; (2) urban economic development policy; and (3) global economic development strategy. EDA's mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. Through its NTA Program, EDA works towards fulfilling its mission by funding research and technical assistance projects to promote competitiveness and innovation in rural and urban regions throughout the United States and its territories. By working in conjunction with its research partners, EDA will help States, local governments, and community-based organizations to achieve their highest economic potential.

Pursuant to the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. 3121, et seq.) (PWEDA), EDA announces general policies and application procedures for grant-based investments under the Public Works, Planning, Local Technical Assistance, and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs to promote comprehensive, entrepreneurial and innovation-based economic development efforts to enhance the competitiveness of regions, resulting in increased private investment and higher-skill, higher-wage jobs in regions experiencing substantial and persistent economic distress.

EDA's mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. As part of this mission, EDA administers the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) Program under the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, through a national network of eleven Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (each, a TAAC) to provide technical assistance to firms that have lost domestic sales and employment due to increased imports of similar or competitive goods. This program announcement applies only to the current eleven EDA-funded TAACs, and provides information necessary to clarify the requirements for operating and providing technical assistance to trade- impacted firms as a TAAC under a cooperative agreement with EDA for fiscal years 2008-2010. This notice does not solicit new applications for TAAC operators.