[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 98 (Monday, May 23, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12471]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 23, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farmers Home Administration
7 CFR Part 1942
RIN 0570-AA08
Rural Business Enterprise Grants and Television Demonstration
Grants
AGENCY: Farmers Home Administration, USDA.
ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) amends its regulation
that is utilized by the Rural Development Administration (RDA) to make
grants to facilitate the development of small and emerging business
enterprises in rural areas. A change is needed to implement Title V,
Section 516(d) of Public Law 102-552, Farm Credit Banks and
Associations Safety and Soundness Act of 1992, which provides that
grants may also be made to create, expand, and operate rural distance
learning networks and rural learning programs that provide educational
or job training instruction related to potential employment or job
advancement for adult students. The intended effect is to make this an
eligible grant purpose under the Rural Business Enterprise Grant
program.
DATES: Interim rule effective May 23, 1994. Written comments must be
submitted on or before July 22, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments in duplicate to the Office of the
Chief, Regulations Analysis and Control Branch, Farmers Home
Administration, USDA, room 6348, South Agriculture Building,
Washington, DC 20250. All written comments will be available for public
inspection during regular working hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Barton, Loan Specialist,
Community Facilities Division, Rural Development Administration, room
6320, South Agriculture Building, Washington, DC 20250, telephone (202)
720-1490.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Classification
We are issuing this interim final rule in conformance with
Executive Order 12866, and the Office of Management and Budget has
determined that it is a ``significant regulatory action.''
Environmental Impact Statement
This document has been reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR part 1940,
subpart G, ``Environmental Program.'' RDA has determined that this
action does not constitute a major Federal action significantly
affecting the quality of the human environment and, in accordance with
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190), an
Environmental Impact Statement is not required.
Executive Order 12778
This document regulation has been reviewed in light of Executive
Order 12778 and meets the applicable standards provided in sections
2(a) and 2(b)(2) of that Order. Provisions within this part which are
inconsistent with State law are controlling. All administrative
remedies pursuant to 7 CFR part 1900, subpart B, must be exhausted
prior to filing suit.
Intergovernmental Review
This action affects the following RDA program as listed in the
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under 10.769 Rural Business
Enterprise and Television Demonstration Grants and is subject to the
provisions of E.O. 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation
with State and local officials. (7 CFR part 3015, subpart V; 48 FR
29112, June 24, 1983, 49 FR 2267, May 31, 1984, 50 FR 14088, April 10,
1985.)
Paperwork Reduction Act
The information collection requirements contained in this
regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under the provisions of 44 U.S.C. chapter 35 and have been
assigned OMB control number 0575-0132 in accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3507). This interim rule does not
revise or impose any new information collection requirement from those
approved by OMB.
Discussion of the Interim Rule
It is the policy of the Department that rules relating to public
property, loans, grants, benefits or contracts shall be published for
comment notwithstanding the exemption of 5 U.S.C. 553 with respect to
such rules. However, the Department is making this action effective
immediately upon publication in the Federal Register without securing
prior public comment. The purpose of this rule is to implement Title V,
Section 516(d), of Public Law 102-552, Farm Credit Banks and
Association Safety and Soundness Act of 1992, which amends Section
310B(c) (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act which allows grants for the creation, expansion, and
operation of rural distance learning networks or rural learning
programs that provide educational instruction or job training
instruction related to potential employment or job advancement for
adult students. This rule making action does not encompass
discretionary decision making by the agency, but merely adds the text
of Section 516(d)'s amendment to Section 310B(c) of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act into the regulations governing the Rural
Business Enterprise Grant program. That program provides grants to
facilitate the development of small and emerging private business
enterprises in rural areas. This assistance is expected to further the
development of small and emerging private business enterprises in rural
areas by making available to developing businesses qualified employees
necessary for successful startup or expansion. While the Department is
reluctant to short circuit prior public comment, it is certain that
failure to implement the program will result in negative impact in
rural areas by not fully utilizing the grant program to its fullest
authorization for avenues to help facilitate the development of
businesses in rural areas. Because the appropriated funds for the
program are not available past the end of fiscal year 1994, it is
essential that this authorization be implemented this fiscal year.
The rule describing procedures and practices for applying for and
obtaining this grant assistance is already in place under the Rural
Business Enterprise Grant program. This rule simply adds education and
training of adult students as an eligible grant purpose under the
program. Requiring prior notice and comment would result in substantial
delays in making the use of these grant funds available to the public
for education purposes. Public controversy over adding this eligible
use of grant funds is unlikely. The Agency, however, is also providing
for public comment so that, in the event that members of the public do
wish to suggest alternative rule provisions or courses of action in
implementing this program, they will have an opportunity to give RDA
the benefit of their views in the near future. In the event that public
comments are received, the Department will consider them, and issue
such amendments to those rules as may be appropriate, as quickly as
possible.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1942
Business and industry, Grant programs--Housing and community
development, Industrial parks, Rural areas.
Therefore, Chapter XVIII, Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations is
amended as follows:
PART 1942--ASSOCIATIONS
1. The authority citation for Part 1940 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1989; 16 U.S.C. 1005, 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 CFR
2.23 and 2.70.
Subpart G--Rural Business Enterprise Grants and Television
Demonstration Grants
2. Section 1942.306 is amended by adding a new paragraph (a) (10)
to read as follows:
Sec. 1942.306 Purposes of grants.
(a) * * *
(10) Create, expand, and operate rural distance learning networks
or rural learning programs, that provide educational instruction or job
training instruction related to potential employment or job advancement
for adult students.
* * * * *
Dated: April 5, 1994.
Bob J. Nash,
Under Secretary, Small Community and Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 94-12471 Filed 5-20-94; 8:45 am]
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