[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]
BILLING CODE 3410-32-U