Economic Development Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 4314(c)(4), the Economic Development Administration (EDA), Department of Commerce (DOC), announces the appointment of those individuals who have been selected to serve as members of the EDA Performance Review Board. The EDA Performance Review Board is responsible for (1) Reviewing performance appraisals and ratings of Senior Executive Service (SES) members and (2) making recommendations to the appointing authority on other performance management issues, such as pay adjustments, bonuses and Presidential Rank Awards for SES members. The appointment of these members to the EDA Performance Review Board will be for a period of twelve (12) months.

On August 11, 2005, the Economic Development Administration (``EDA'') published an interim final rule to reflect the amendments made to EDA's authorizing statute, the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, by the Economic Development Administration Reauthorization Act of 2004. A ninety-three (93) day public comment period followed the publication of the interim final rule, specifically from August 11, 2005 through November 14, 2005. On December 15, 2005, EDA published an interim final rule that amended certain provisions of the August 11, 2005 interim final rule. EDA received a large number of public comments on different portions of the August 11, 2005 interim final rule. This final rule responds to all substantive comments received during the public comment period and finalizes this rulemaking proceeding based on comments received during the public comment period.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is soliciting applications for FY 2006 Research and Evaluation Program funding. 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 Research and Evaluation Program, EDA works towards fulfilling its mission by funding research and technical assistance projects to promote competitiveness and innovation in urban and rural 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.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is soliciting applications for FY 2006 National Technical Assistance Program (NTA Program) funding. 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 urban and rural 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.

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs is publishing final voluntary guidelines for self-evaluation of compensation practices for compliance with Executive Order 11246, as amended, with respect to systemic compensation discrimination. This document sets forth the final voluntary guidelines and discusses comments that OFCCP received in response to proposed voluntary guidelines published in the Federal Register on November 16, 2004.

The Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) published an interim final rule revising its regulations to reflect the amendments made to its authorizing statute, the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA), by the Economic Development Administration Reauthorization Act of 2004. In connection with its reauthorization and publication of an interim final rule, EDA conducted a review of its forms and other information collections to ensure that they are consistent with the statute and the regulations, as well as with current EDA practices and policies. As part of this review and in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, EDA published a notice in the November 14, 2005 Federal Register providing the general public and other federal agencies with a 60-day period in which to comment on EDA's information collections. Concurrent with the publication of this notice, EDA is submitting for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance the proposed information collections set forth in this notice. EDA is requesting OMB approval of these information collections no later than April 30, 2006. Additionally, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden under the Paperwork Reduction Act, EDA is providing the general public and other federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on the proposed information collections set forth in this notice.

EDA is soliciting proposals for FY 2006 University Center Program funding in the areas served by its Atlanta and Seattle regional offices. 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. Institutions of higher education have many assets, such as faculty, staff, libraries, laboratories, and computer systems, which can help to address local economic problems and opportunities. With funding from EDA, institutions of higher education establish and operate University Centers, which provide technical assistance to public and private sector organizations with the goal of enhancing local economic development. EDA has traditionally renewed an award to a University Center on an annual basis, as long as it maintained a satisfactory level of performance and Congress appropriated funds for EDA's Local and National Technical Assistance Programs. In FY 2004, EDA began a phased implementation of a three-year competitive grant cycle for all University Center projects, beginning with those in its Austin and Denver regional offices. In FY 2005, with the competition announced in this notice for University Center projects in the areas served by EDA's Atlanta and Seattle regional offices, EDA is completing the phased implementation of competition for University Center Program funding.

On November 14, 2005, the Economic Development Administration (``EDA'') published a final rule in the Federal Register delaying the effective date, from November 14, 2005 until January 31, 2006, of certain provisions of EDA's interim final rule originally published in the Federal Register on August 11, 2005. EDA is publishing this final rule to revoke the November 14, 2005 final rule. The conference report accompanying the FY 2006 Science, State, Justice, Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act expresses Congressional intent as to specific changes to EDA's August 11, 2005 interim final rule. The changes specified in the conference report include changes to those provisions of the August 11, 2005 interim final for which the effective date was delayed by the final rule published on November 14, 2005. Concurrent with the publication of this final rule, EDA is publishing in the Federal Register an interim final rule to effect those changes to the August 11, 2005 interim final rule specified in the conference report. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this final rule have the meanings ascribed to them in the August 11, 2005 interim final rule.

On August 11, 2005, the Economic Development Administration (``EDA'') published an interim final rule in the Federal Register. On September 30, 2005, EDA published a final rule in the Federal Register delaying the effective date of certain provisions of the interim final rule from October 1, 2005 until November 14, 2005. The September 30, 2005 final rule also extended the deadline for submitting public comments on the interim final rule from October 11, 2005 until November 14, 2005. This final rule further delays the effective date of certain provisions of the interim final rule from November 14, 2005 until January 31, 2006. This delay in effective date is necessary to provide additional time for EDA to consider comments received concerning certain provisions of the interim final rule, as well for EDA to address matters pertaining to the effective implementation of the interim final rule. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this final rule have the meanings ascribed to them in the interim final rule.

The Economic Development Administration (``EDA''), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, provides the general public and other federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and current collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). EDA has published an interim final rule (70 FR 47002) revising its regulations to reflect the amendments made to EDA's authorizing statute, the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (``PWEDA''), by the Economic Development Administration Reauthorization Act of 2004 (the ``2004 Act''). With limited exceptions, the interim final rule became effective on October 1, 2005. EDA is currently conducting a comprehensive review of its forms and other information collections to ensure that they correspond with the 2004 Act and with the interim final rule. EDA is soliciting public comments on the collections of information contained in this notice.

In connection with the promulgation of its Interim Final Rule (the ``IFR''), also published in this separate part, the Economic Development Administration (``EDA'') will hold a public hearing to receive public comments on the IFR.