[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 826 Introduced in House (IH)]
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 826
To establish a grant program to support cluster-based economic
development efforts.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 3, 2009
Mr. McHugh 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 establish a grant program to support cluster-based economic
development efforts.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Cluster-Based Economy Enhancement
Act of 2009''.
SEC. 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:
``SEC. 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 in 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 an area that on the
date of submission of an application for a grant under this
section, meets 1 or more of the criteria described in section
301(a), and--
``(A) is determined by the Secretary to qualify for
a grant under this section; or
``(B) has been designated by the Consolidated Farm
and Rural Development Act and the Food, Conservation,
and Energy Act of 2008, as an area in which a regional
development commission has been established, including:
``(i) The delta region.--The term `Delta
Region' means the region defined in section
382A(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa(2)).
``(ii) The northern great plains region.--
The term `Northern Great Plains Region' means
the region defined in section 383A(4) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 2009bb(4)).
``(iii) The southeast crescent region.--The
term `Southeast Crescent Region' means the
region defined in section 15731 of title 40,
United States Code (as amended by the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public
Law 110-234)).
``(iv) The southwest border region.--The
term `Southwest Border Region' means the region
defined in section 15732 of title 40, United
States Code (as amended by the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public
Law 110-234)).
``(v) The northern border region.--The term
`Northern Border Region' means the region
defined in section 15733 of title 40, United
States Code (as amended by the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public
Law 110-234)).
``(b) Grants.--On the application of an eligible applicant, the
Secretary may make a grant--
``(1) to assess the potential for the development of
clusters and the enhancement of existing clusters;
``(2) to establish cluster development programs in a
region; and
``(3) to promote cluster development programs in a region
and support the staff who operate such programs.
``(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) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000, to 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.''.
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