I 111th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4666 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 23, 2010 Mr. Owens (for himself, Mr. Welch, and Mr. McIntyre) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to establish a grant program to support cluster-based economic development efforts.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Cluster-Based Economy Enhancement Act of 2010.

2.

Grants for cluster-based economic development

(a)

In general

Title II of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

219.

Grants for cluster-based economic development

(a)

Definitions

In this section, the following definitions apply: (1)

Cluster

The term cluster means a geographic concentration of business entities that— (A)are competing, complementary, or interdependent firms and industries; (B)do business with one another; and (C)have common needs for talent, technology, and infrastructure. (2)

Eligible applicant

The term eligible applicant means— (A)a State or local government; (B)an institution of higher education; or (C)a nonprofit economic development organization. (3)

Region

The term region means any of the following regions, if on the date of submission of an application for a grant under this section the region meets one or more of the criteria described in section 301(a): (A)The Delta Region, as described in section 382A(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa(2)). (B)The Northern Great Plains Region, as described in section 383A(4) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb(4)). (C)The Southeast Crescent Region, as described in section 15731 of title 40, United States Code. (D)The Southwest Border Region, as described in section 15732 of title 40, United States Code. (E)The Northern Border Region, as described in section 15733 of title 40, United States Code. (F)The Appalachian Region, as described in section 14102 of title 40, United States Code. (G)Such other region as the Secretary determines appropriate. (b)

Block grants

(1)

In general

On the application of an eligible applicant, the Secretary may make a block grant to the applicant— (A)to assess the potential for the development of clusters and the enhancement of existing clusters in a region; (B)to establish cluster development programs in a region; and (C)to promote cluster development programs in a region and support the staff who operate such programs. (2)

Use of grants

A recipient of grant funds under this subsection may use the funds to provide assistance for startup costs, worker training, relocation costs, planning, and other projects identified by the recipient that are consistent with the purposes of this section. (c)

Cost sharing

(1)

In general

The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out using funds made available under this section shall be 50 percent. (2)

In-kind contributions

Not more than 50 percent of the non-Federal share of the cost of a project carried out using funds made available under this section may be provided through in-kind contributions. (3)

Inapplicability of certain section

Section 204 shall not apply to this section. (d)

Reports to Congress

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall submit to Congress reports on the results of the program established under this section. (2)

Frequency of reports

The Secretary shall submit a report under this subsection annually for the first 4 years of the program and biennially thereafter. (e)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000. Such sums shall remain available until expended.

. (b)

Conforming amendment

The table of contents contained in section 1(b) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 note) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 218 the following: Sec. 219. Grants for cluster-based economic development. .