[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30151-30157]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14119]
========================================================================
Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 5, 2001 /
Notices
[[Page 30151]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of the Secretary
Notice Inviting Applications for Designation of Rural Empowerment
Zones
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.
ACTION: Notice inviting applications.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This Notice invites applications from state and local
governments, Indian tribal governments, regional planning agencies,
non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, or other
locally-based organizations on behalf of rural areas nominated for
designation as Empowerment Zones (EZ) as this term is defined in this
Notice and title 7 Code of Federal Regulations part 25 (7 CFR part 25).
An application may be prepared and submitted by any one of a broad
range of entities; however, the rural area in question must be
nominated for designation by the State, local or Indian tribal
government having jurisdiction over the nominated area. Title 7 part 25
provides guidance which is supplemental to that provided in this Notice
and which is necessary for completion and submission of applications.
ADDRESSES: Application materials may be obtained from U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development offices listed in appendix A to
this Notice or by sending an Internet Mail message to
``[email protected]''.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deputy Administrator, USDA Office of
Community Development, Reporters Building, 300 7th Street, SW, Room
266, Washington, DC 20024-3203, telephone 1-800-645-4712, or send an
Internet e-mail message to ``[email protected].'' Information
may also be obtained at ``http://www.ezec.gov/round3''.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Paperwork Reduction Act
The information collection requirements contained in this Notice
have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB
Control Number 0570-0027.
I. Background
The Empowerment Zone program represents a holistic approach to the
problems of distressed rural and urban communities. It emphasizes a
bottom-up community based strategy rather than the traditional top-down
bureaucratic approach. It is a strategy to address economic, human,
community, physical development problems and opportunities in a
comprehensive fashion.
The Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-554)
authorized the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(Secretary) to designate up to two Empowerment Zones (``Round III'') in
addition to those rural empowerment zones and enterprise communities
designated earlier.
This Notice invites applications from State and local governments,
Indian tribal governments, regional planning agencies, non-profit
organizations, community-based organizations, or other locally-based
organizations on behalf of rural areas nominated for designation as
Empowerment Zones in this third round.
Applications submitted for designation as a Round III Rural
Empowerment Zone may also be considered, and used as the sole basis for
designation, for any additional Enterprise Communities or other special
community designations authorized by Congress prior to the date by
which designations of Round III Empowerment Zones are required to be
made.
The program is intended to combine the resources of the Federal
Government with those of State and local governments, educational
institutions and the private and non-profit sectors to implement
community-developed strategic plans for community and economic
development. The Federal Government has taken steps to coordinate
Federal assistance in support of the Empowerment Zones, including
expedited processing and priority funding.
II. Eligibility
The authorizing legislation specifies certain criteria that must be
satisfied in order for an area to be eligible for Empowerment Zone
designation, including population, general distress, geographic size
and boundary configuration, and poverty rate by census tract (or by
block numbering areas when the community is not delineated by census
tracts; nominated areas in Alaska and Hawaii have the option of
qualifying by block groups). The details of these requirements are
described in 7 CFR part 25 of the Federal Register. Unless specified
otherwise, the terms used in this Notice, inclusive of the appendices,
shall be defined as contained in 7 CFR part 25.
USDA will accept certifications of the data by the State and local
governments, subject to further verification of the data prior to
designation as an Empowerment Zone.
III. Designation Factors
The statute specifies three factors to be considered by the
Secretary in designating Empowerment Zones: (1) The effectiveness of
the strategic plan; (2) the effectiveness of the assurances provided in
support of the strategic plan; and (3) other criteria to be specified
by the Secretary. Each of these factors is discussed in greater detail
in 7 CFR part 25. The required form and content of the application and
the strategic plan are elaborated upon in this Notice.
IV. Timing and Location of Application Submissions
Application materials may be obtained from USDA Rural Development
offices listed in Appendix A of this Notice or by sending an Internet
e-mail message to: ``[email protected]''. They are also
available at the following website: ``http://www.ezec.gov/round3''. The
deadline for receipt of the complete application is 5 p.m. Eastern
Time, Monday, October 1, 2001. Applications received after that time
will not be accepted, and will be returned to the sender. Since
applications require certifications from the State and local
governments, we cannot accept applications sent by FAX or through the
Internet system. Applications must be submitted on standard 8\1/2\" x
11" paper and contained
[[Page 30152]]
in standard 3" 3-ring binders. The original application and two paper
copies should be sent to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of
Community Development, Reporters Building, 300 7th Street, SW, Room
266, Washington, DC 20024. No video or audio tapes, posters, display
boards, or other accompanying material will be accepted as part of the
Application.
Applicants will be notified in the event of an incomplete
application. Provided that the application is received at the above
address with sufficient time before the deadline, applicants will be
given an opportunity to provide the missing information to USDA.
V. Notice of Intent To Participate
Prospective applicants are encouraged to complete and submit a
Notice of Intent to Participate substantially in the form provided in
appendix B to this Notice. A Notice form is included in the application
materials; it may also be obtained by sending an Internet e-mail
message to ``[email protected]''. Applicants may also submit
the notice via the Internet by filling out the form on-line at the
following website: ``http:
//www.ezec.gov/round3''. Applicants and other participants may wish to
submit the form in order to be placed on the Empowerment Zone and
Enterprise Community mailing list. While the notice is not mandatory
for participation in the program, USDA encourages the submission of the
notice, as it will permit the Department to provide prospective
applicants with updated information on program requirements as well as
information on technical assistance.
VI. Application materials
A. Application materials available from USDA consist of the
following:
(1) Round III application form and
(2) Round III application guide.
B. The Application to be submitted on behalf of nominated rural
areas shall include the following (``Application''):
(1) A nomination package including:
(a) Round III application form parts I through IV; and
(b) The required certifications and written assurances contained in
7 CFR Sec. 25.200(b) which are not otherwise included in part III of
the Round III application form;
(2) A strategic plan which meets the requirements of 7 CFR part 25
and the form and content requirements specified in section VII of this
Notice; and
(3) Maps. Attach a copy of a map that shows the 1990 census
boundaries of:
(a) The local governments discussed in part I of the Application
Form (Nomination);
(b) The nominated area; and
(c) Developable sites, if any.
VII. Strategic plan
A. The strategic plan to be submitted on behalf of the nominated
area shall conform with the requirements contained in 7 CFR Sec. 25.202
and Sec. 25.204. Each major section of the strategic plan should
address how the plan will achieve the four key principal objectives
contained in 7 CFR Sec. 25.202.
B. The strategic plan must be organized into two separate volumes.
Each volume should prominently identify the nominated area and be
organized and labeled in the following sections and specified sequence.
C. Volume I of the Strategic Plan (``Documentation''). Volume I
must include the following sections and content:
(1) Section 1--Participants.
(a) Applicant and Lead entities: the name, address, description and
primary contact person for the entity that will be the lead managing
entity for the proposed Empowerment Zone. Clarify whether the applicant
entity is different from the proposed lead managing entity; if so,
provide the same information for the applicant entity;
(b) Participating entities: a list of and descriptions of the
specific groups, organizations, and individuals participating in the
production of the strategic plan, and descriptions of the history of
these groups in the community; and
(c) An explanation of how participants in the planning process were
selected and evidence that the participants, taken as a whole, are
broadly representative of the entire community.
(2) Section 2--The Planning Process.
(a) Descriptions of how the participants created and developed the
strategic plan;
(b) Identification of two or three topics addressed in the
strategic plan that caused the most serious disagreements among
participants and a description of how those disagreements were
resolved; and (c) An explanation of how the community residents and key
organizations participated in choosing the area to be nominated and why
the area was nominated.
(3) Section 3--Eligibility.
(a) Include information not otherwise provided in the application
form, or use this section if additional space is needed to provide
eligibility information; and
(b) Maps and a general description of the nominated area.
(4) Section 4--Economic and Social Conditions. Detailed statistical
information, including tabular and graphical information, not included
in volume II, should be included in this section.
(5) Section 5--Implementation. This section should include:
(a) Descriptions of the roles which each participating entity,
identified in volume I, section 1, will have in implementing the
strategic plan; and
(b) Evidence that key participating entities have the capacity to
implement the strategic plan.
(6) Section 6--Public Information. This section should include
newspaper clippings, photographs, news releases and other materials
relating to the community and its strategic planning process.
(7) Section 7--Letters of Support. Letters of support are limited
to those that pledge either monetary or in-kind resources toward the
implementation of the strategic plan. Letters of support may be
submitted as part of the Application and should be grouped in this
section of the strategic plan.
D. Volume II of the Strategic Plan (``Plan''), Part I. Volume II
must contain four major subparts of which part I must include the
following sections and content:
(1) Section 1--Vision and Values. The community's strategic vision
for change--a statement of what the community would like to be like in
the future together with a statement of the community's values which
guided its planning process and which will guide its implementation of
the strategic plan.
(2) Section 2--Community Assessment. A comprehensive assessment of
existing conditions and trends in the nominated area in two
subsections:
(a) Assessment of Problems and Opportunities. A description and
assessment of problems and opportunities. This subsection must identify
those baseline conditions which the community wishes to improve as a
result of the strategic plan. It may include priority rankings by the
community of problems and opportunities to be addressed by the
strategic plan.
(b) Resource Analysis. An assessment of the resources available to
the community, including financial, technical, leadership,
volunteerism, skills and other community assets which may be tapped in
implementing the strategic plan.
(3) Section 3--Goals. A statement of a comprehensive and holistic
set of goals to be achieved through implementation of the strategic
plan throughout the 10-
[[Page 30153]]
year implementation period. This section should also include an index
of topics and related benchmark activities which are incorporated in
the strategic plan (education, criminal justice, economic development,
housing, health care, water and sewer, etc.) so as to facilitate the
sharing of information across Federal agencies such that they may more
readily recognize how they may be able to support the Empowerment Zone
during the implementation phase.
(4) Section 4--Strategies. A statement of the strategies the
community proposes to use to achieve its strategic plan, in particular,
the principal objectives of economic opportunity and sustainable
community development contained in 7 CFR 25.202(a)(3) and (a)(4).
E. Volume II of the Strategic Plan (``Plan''), Part II. The second
major subpart of volume II must include the following sections and
content:
(1) Section 1--Phase I work plan. The information required pursuant
to 7 CFR 25.403(c)(1) for the initial two years of the designation
period.
(2) Section 2--Phase I operational budget. The information required
pursuant to 7 CFR 25.402(c)(2) for the initial two years of the
designation period.
F. Volume II of the Strategic Plan (``Plan''), Part III. The third
major subpart of volume II should be titled ``Continuous Quality
Improvement Plan.'' Part III should present the community's plan for
evaluating and learning from its experiences. It should also detail the
methods by which the community will assess its own performance in
implementing its benchmarks and the process it will use for revising
its strategic plan and benchmark goals. Part III should include the
following sections and content:
(1) Section 1--Participation. The proposed procedures for assuring
continuous, broad based community participation in the implementation
of the strategic plan;
(2) Section 2--Incorporation of experiences. The methods proposed
for incorporating learning from experience gained during implementation
of the strategic plan and from information obtained from other sources
into revisions of the strategic plan, benchmark goals and
implementation methods and procedures;
(3) Section 3--Benchmark review. The proposed procedure for
reviewing benchmark progress within the community; and
(4) Section 4--Benchmark amendment. The proposed procedure for
amending and revising benchmark goals and benchmark activities.
G. Volume II of the Strategic Plan (``Plan''), Part IV. The fourth
major subpart of volume II should be titled ``Administration Plan''.
Part IV should present the community's plan for administering the
implementation of the strategic plan. It should include the following
sections:
(1) Section 1--Lead entity. The name of the proposed lead entity
organization, its existing and planned future legal status and
authority to receive and administer funds pursuant to Federal and State
and other nonprofit programs;
(2) Section 2--Capacity. Evidence, including an audited financial
statement as of the most recent fiscal year, that the lead entity and
other key organizations implementing the strategic plan have the
capacity to implement the strategic plan. If the lead entity is not yet
established, provide evidence of its proposed capitalization;
(3) Section 3--Board membership. The membership of the proposed
Empowerment Zone board and the selection procedures;
(4) Section 4--Partnerships. The relationship between the
Empowerment Zone board and local governments and other major regional
and community organizations operating in the same geographic area;
(5) Section 5--Public information. The proposed methods by which
citizens of the Empowerment Zone and partnership organizations will be
kept informed about the Empowerment Zone's activities and progress in
implementing the strategic plan;
(6) Section 6--Public participation. The methods and procedures by
which the Empowerment Zone proposes to implement the principal
objective of community based partnerships pursuant to 7 CFR
25.202(a)(2).
VIII. Counties Which Meet the Outmigration Test for Purposes of 7
CFR 25.104(b)(2)(iii)
For purposes of volume I, section 3--Eligibility, counties which
meet the outmigration test for purposes of 7 CFR 25.104(b)(2)(iii) are
listed in appendix C to this Notice.
IX. Round III Champion Communities
Champion Communities will be selected from those rural communities
which applied for designation as an Empowerment Zone and, despite
having met all requirements for selection, were not so designated.
State Rural Development Directors and staff will work with Champion
Communities to provide support, guidance and technical assistance in
strategic planning and implementation efforts, if the Champion
Community elects to execute a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Rural
Development. To the extent possible, preferential consideration will be
given to Champion Communities when processing applications for loans
and grants for Rural Development Programs.
X. Memorandum of Agreement
It is expected that a MOA will be entered into relating to each
designated Round III Empowerment Zone. The MOA shall conform in all
material respects to the form of MOA provided in appendix D to this
Notice.
XI. Miscellaneous
Empowerment Zone designation does not constitute a Federal action
for provisions of the Uniform Relocation Act. However, any activity
constituting a Federal action that may result from such a designation
may be subject to the provisions of this Act, as well as any other
statutory or regulatory provisions governing the particular Federal
action.
All designation reviews will be conducted in compliance with
Federal civil rights laws.
Dated: May 25, 2001.
Ann M. Veneman,
Secretary.
List of Appendices
A--Rural Development State EZ-EC State Contacts
B--Notice of Intent To Participate
C--Counties Which Meet the Outmigration Test
D--Form of Memorandum of Agreement
Appendix A: EZ/EC State Contacts
Alabama
State Director, Rural Development, Sterling Center, 4121
Carmichael Road/Suite 601, Montgomery, AL 36106-3683, phone: 334-
279-3400, fax: 334-279-3403.
Alaska
State Director, Rural Development, 800 W. Evergreen, Suite 201,
Palmer, AK 99645-6539, phone: 907-761-7700, fax: 907-761-7783.
Arizona
State Director, Rural Development, Phoenix Corporate Center,
3003 North Central Avenue, Suite 900, Phoenix, AZ 85012-2906, phone:
602-280-8707, fax: 602-808-8770.
Arkansas
State Director, Rural Development, 700 W Capitol Avenue, Room
3416, Little Rock, AR 72201-3225, phone: 501-301-3200, fax: 501-301-
3278.
[[Page 30154]]
California
State Director, Rural Development, 430 G. Street, #4169, Davis,
CA 95616-4169, phone: 530-792-5800, fax: 530-792-5837.
Colorado
State Director, Rural Development, 655 Parfet Street, Room E-
100, Lakewood, CO 80215, phone: 303-236-2801 Ext. 134, fax: 303-236-
2854.
Delaware/Maryland
State Director, Rural Development, 5201 South Dupont Highway,
P.O. Box 400, Camden, DE 19934, phone: 302-697-4304, fax: 302-697-
4390.
Florida/Virgin Islands
State Director, Rural Development, 4440 N.W. 25th Pl., P.O. Box
147010, Gainesville, FL 32614-7010, phone: 352-338-3402, fax: 352-
338-3405.
Georgia
State Director, Rural Development, 355 E. Hancock Ave., Athens,
GA 30601-2768, phone: 706-546-2162, fax: 706-546-2152.
Hawaii
State Director, Rural Development, Federal Building, Room 311,
154 Waianuenue Ave, Hilo, HI 96720, phone: 808-933-8302, fax: 808-
933-8325.
Idaho
State Director, Rural Development, 9173 West Barms, Suite A1,
Boise, ID 83709, phone: 208-378-5615, fax: 208-378-5643.
Illinois
State Director, Rural Development, Illini Plaza, Suite 103, 1817
South Neil Street, Champaign, IL 61820, phone: 217-398-5235, fax:
217-398-5337.
Indiana
State Director, Rural Development, 5975 Lakeside Blvd.,
Indianapolis, IN 46278, phone: 317-290-3100 ext. 400, fax: 317-290-
3095.
Iowa
State Director, Rural Development, 210 Walnut Street, Federal
Bldg./Room 873, Des Moines IA 50309, phone: 515-284-4663, fax: 515-
284-4859.
Kansas
State Director, P.O. Box 4653, 1201 SW Executive Drive, Topeka,
KS 66604, phone: 785-271-2701, fax: 785-271-2708.
Kentucky.
State Director, Rural Development, 771 Corporate Dr., Suite 200,
Lexington, KY 40503, phone: 859-224-7300, fax: 859-224-7425.
Louisiana
State Director, Rural Development, 3727 Government Street,
Alexandria, LA 71302, phone: 318-473-7811, fax: 318-473-7829.
Maine
State Director, Rural Development, 444 Stillwater Ave., Suite 2,
P.O. Box 405, Bangor, ME 04402-0405, phone: 207-990-9160, fax: 207-
990-9165.
Massachusetts
State Director, Rural Development, 451 West St., Amherst, MA
01002, phone: 413-253-4310, fax: 413-253-4347.
Michigan
State Director, Rural Development, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite
200, East Lansing, MI 48823, phone: 616-745-8364, fax: 616-745-8493.
Minnesota
State Director, Rural Development, 410 Agriculture Bank
Building, 375 Jackson Street, St. Paul, MN 55101-1853, phone: 651-
602-7801, fax: 651-602-7824.
Mississippi
State Director, Rural Development, 100 W Capital St., Federal
Building, Suite 831, Jackson, MS 39269, phone: 601-965-4318, fax:
601-965-5384.
Missouri
State Director, Rural Development, 601 Business Loop, Parkade
Center, Suite 235 , Columbia, MO 65203, phone: 573-876-0976, fax:
573-876-0977.
Montana
State Director, Rural Development, 900 Technology Blvd. Suite B,
P.O. Box 850, Bozeman, MT 59771, phone: 406-585-2580, fax: 406-585-
2565.
Nebraska
State Director, Rural Development, Federal Building, Mail Room
152, 100 Centennial Mall N., Room 308, Lincoln, NE 68508, phone:
402-437-5550, fax: 402-437-5408.
Nevada
State Director, Rural Development, 1390 South Curry St., Carson
City, NV 89703-9910, phone: 775-887-1222, fax: 775-885-0841.
New Hampshire/Vermont
State Director, Rural Development, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89
Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, phone: 802-828-6002, fax: 802-
828-6018.
New Jersey
State Director, Rural Development, Tarnsfield Plaza, Suite 22,
790 Woodland Rd., Mt. Holly, NJ 08060, phone: 609-265-3600, fax:
609-265-3651.
New Mexico
State Director, Rural Development, 6200 Jefferson Street NE,
Room 255, Albuquerque, NM 87109, phone: 505-761-4950, fax: 505-761-
4976.
New York
State Director, Rural Development, The Galleries of Syracuse,
441 S. Salina Street, Suite 357, Syracuse, NY 13202-2541, phone:
315-477-6435, fax: 315-477-6438.
North Carolina
State Director, Rural Development, 4405 Bland Rd, Suite 260,
Raleigh NC 27609, phone: 919-873-2037, fax: 919-873-2075.
North Dakota
State Director, Rural Development, P.O. Box 1737, Bismarck, ND
58502, phone: 701-530-2054, fax: 701-530-2108.
Ohio
State Director, Rural Development, Federal Building, Room 507,
200 North High Street, Columbus OH 43215-2418, phone: 614-255-2390,
fax: 614-255-2559.
Oklahoma
State Director, Rural Development, 100 USDA, Suite 108,
Stillwater, OK 74074-2654, phone: 405-742-1000, fax: 405-742-1005.
Oregon
State Director, Rural Development, 101 SW Main Street, Suite
1410, Portland, OR 97204-3222, phone: 503-414-3300, fax: 503-414-
3386.
Pennsylvania
State Director, One Credit Union Place, Suite 330, Harrisburg,
PA 17110-2996, phone: 717-334-8827, fax: 717-237-2191.
Puerto Rico
State Director, Rural Development, P.O. Box 366106, San Juan, PR
00936-6106, phone: 787-766-5095, fax: 787-766-5844.
South Carolina
State Director, Rural Development, Strom Thurmond Federal
Building, 1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007, Columbia, SC 29201,
phone: 803-765-5163, fax: 803-765-5633.
South Dakota
State Director, Rural Development, Federal Building, Room 210,
200 Fourth Street SW, Huron, SD 57350-2477, phone: 605-352-1100,
fax: 605-352-1146.
Tennessee
State Director, Rural Development, 3322 West End Ave., Suite
300, Nashville, TN 37203-1084, phone: 615-783-1300, fax: 615-783-
1301.
Texas
State Director, Rural Development, 101 S. Main Street, Suite
102, Temple, TX 76501, phone: 254-742-9710, fax: 254-742-9709.
Utah
State Director, Rural Development, Wallace F. Bennett Federal
Bldg., Room 4311, Salt Lake City, UT 84147-0350, phone: 801-524-
4320, fax: 801-524-4406.
Vermont/New Hampshire
State Director, Rural Development, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89
Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, phone: 802-828-6002, fax: 802-
828-6018.
Virginia
State Director, Rural Development, Culpepper Building, Suite
238, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Richmond, VA 23229, phone: 804-287-1552,
fax: 804-287-1721.
Washington
State Director, Rural Development, 1835 Black Lake Blvd. SW,
Suite B, Olympia, WA 98512, phone: 360-704-7715, fax: 360-704-7742.
[[Page 30155]]
Wisconsin
State Director, Rural Development, 4949 Kirschling Court,
Stevens Point, WI 54481, phone: 715-345-7676, fax: 715-345-7669.
West Virginia
State Director, Rural Development, 75 High Street, Room 320,
Morgantown, WV 26505, phone: 304-284-4860, fax: 304-284-4893.
Wyoming
State Director, Rural Development, 100 East B, Federal Bldg.
Room 1005, Casper, WY 82602, phone: 307-261-6300, fax: 307-261-6327.
Appendix B
Notice of Intent to Participate
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Community Development,
Reporters Building, 300 Seventh Street, SW., Room 266, Washington,
DC 20024.
Note: Rural entities may:
(1) fax this notice to (202) 260-6225;
(2) submit this notice via e-mail to
``[email protected]''; or
(3) submit it electronically via the following website: ``http:/
/www.ezec.gov/round3''.
This Notice of Intent to Participate in the Rural Empowerment
Zone application process is submitted by the following participating
entity:
Location of Nominated Area (list state and counties proposed to be
included):
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Name & Address of Participating Entity:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact & Phone Number, Fax Number and E-mail address:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nominating Entity (check here if applicable).
Nominating Entity (if other than named above) (City, State):
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix C
Counties (including other geographic areas, as applicable) which
have demonstrated outmigration of not less than 15 percent over the
period 1980-1994 as reported by the U.S. Bureau of the Census.
Alabama
Conecuh County
Dallas County
Greene County
Lowndes County
Macon County
Perry County
Wilcox County
Alaska
Aleutians West Census Area
Bristol Bay Borough
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
Wade Hampton Census Area
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
Arizona
Greenlee County
Arkansas
Arkansas County
Chicot County
Desha County
Lee County
Mississippi County
Monroe County
Phillips County
St. Francis County
Woodruff County
Colorado
Baca County
Conejos County
Jackson County
Kiowa County
Lake County
Logan County
Mineral County
Moffat County
Otero County
San Juan County
Sedgwick County
Washington County
Florida
Hardee County
Georgia
Calhoun County
Early County
Miller County
Randolph County
Terrell County
Turner County
Idaho
Bear Lake County
Butte County
Caribou County
Clark County
Clearwater County
Elmore County
Shoshone County
Illinois
Alexander County
Mason County
Pulaski County
Stark County
Warren County
Indiana
Miami County
Iowa
Adams County
Audubon County
Buchanan County
Cherokee County
Chickasaw County
Clay County
Clinton County
Crawford County
Emmet County
Fayette County
Floyd County
Franklin County
Greene County
Grundy County
Hancock County
Humboldt County
Jackson County
Kossuth County
Lyon County
Osceola County
Palo Alto County
Pocahontas County
Shelby County
Webster County
Kansas
Barber County
Barton County
Decatur County
Doniphan County
Geary County
Gove County
Graham County
Haskell County
Jewell County
Morton County
Ness County
Osborne County
Rawlins County
Rice County
Rooks County
Rush County
Scott County
Sheridan County
Sherman County
Stanton County
Trego County
Wallace County
Wichita County
Kentucky
Bell County
Breathitt County
Floyd County
Fulton County
Hardin County
Harlan County
Leslie County
Letcher County
Martin County
Perry County
Pike County
Louisiana
Cameron Parish
Catahoula Parish
Concordia Parish
East Carroll Parish
Iberville Parish
Madison Parish
Morehouse Parish
Red River Parish
Richland Parish
St. Mary Parish
Tensas Parish
Vernon Parish
Maine
Aroostook County
Michigan
Iosco County
Luce County
Marquette County
Minnesota
Big Stone County
Cottonwood County
Faribault County
Freeborn County
Jackson County
Kittson County
Lac qui Parle County
Lake County
Lincoln County
[[Page 30156]]
Pennington County
Red Lake County
Redwood County
Renville County
Swift County
Traverse County
Wilkin County
Yellow Medicine County
Mississippi
Adams County
Bolivar County
Claiborne County
Coahoma County
Holmes County
Humphreys County
Issaquena County
Jefferson County
Leflore County
Noxubee County
Quitman County
Sharkey County
Sunflower County
Tallahatchie County
Tunica County
Warren County
Washington County
Yazoo County
Missouri
Knox County
Mississippi County
Pemiscot County
Pulaski County
Montana
Big Horn County
Carter County
Daniels County
Dawson County
Deer Lodge County
Fallon County
Garfield County
Hill County
Judith Basin County
Liberty County
McCone County
Meagher County
Petroleum County
Pondera County
Powder River County
Prairie County
Richland County
Roosevelt County
Rosebud County
Sheridan County
Toole County
Treasure County
Valley County
Wibaux County
Nebraska
Antelope County
Arthur County
Banner County
Blaine County
Boone County
Box Butte County
Boyd County
Brown County
Cedar County
Cuming County
Frontier County
Garden County
Grant County
Hayes County
Hitchcock County
Holt County
Hooker County
Keya Paha County
Kimball County
Knox County
Lincoln County
Logan County
Loup County
Morrill County
Nuckolls County
Red Willow County
Rock County
Sioux County
Stanton County
Thomas County
Thurston County
Wheeler County
New Mexico
Cibola County
Guadalupe County
Harding County
Lea County
McKinley County
Union County
North Dakota
Adams County
Benson County
Billings County
Bottineau County
Bowman County
Burke County
Cavalier County
Dickey County
Divide County
Dunn County
Eddy County
Emmons County
Foster County
Golden Valley County
Grant County
Griggs County
Hettinger County
Kidder County
LaMoure County
Logan County
McHenry County
McIntosh County
McKenzie County
McLean County
Mercer County
Mountrail County
Oliver County
Pembina County
Pierce County
Renville County
Sargent County
Sheridan County
Sioux County
Slope County
Stark County
Steele County
Stutsman County
Towner County
Walsh County
Ward County
Wells County
Williams County
Oklahoma
Beaver County
Blaine County
Cimarron County
Ellis County
Harmon County
Harper County
Jackson County
Kingfisher County
Major County
Roger Mills County
Texas County
Tillman County
Washita County
Woods County
Woodward County
Oregon
Harney County
Sherman County
Pennsylvania
Cameron County
South Carolina
Bamberg County
Dillon County
Marlboro County
South Dakota
Buffalo County
Campbell County
Corson County
Day County
Deuel County
Dewey County
Douglas County
Edmunds County
Faulk County
Gregory County
Haakon County
Hand County
Hanson County
Harding County
Hyde County
Jackson County
Jerauld County
Jones County
Lyman County
McPherson County
Mellette County
Perkins County
Potter County
Roberts County
Sanborn County
Shannon County
Spink County
Sully County
Walworth County
Ziebach County
Texas
Andrews County
Bailey County
Briscoe County
Brooks County
Castro County
Cochran County
Collingsworth County
Cottle County
Crane County
Crockett County
Crosby County
Culberson County
Dawson County
Deaf Smith County
Dickens County
Dimmit County
Fisher County
Floyd County
Foard County
Garza County
Glasscock County
Gray County
[[Page 30157]]
Hale County
Hall County
Hansford County
Hardeman County
Hemphill County
Hutchinson County
Jim Hogg County
Karnes County
Kenedy County
Kent County
King County
Kleberg County
Lamb County
Lipscomb County
Lynn County
Matagorda County
Motley County
Ochiltree County
Parmer County
Pecos County
Reagan County
Reeves County
Refugio County
Roberts County
Shackelford County
Sherman County
Stonewall County
Sutton County
Swisher County
Terrell County
Terry County
Upton County
Ward County
Wheeler County
Winkler County
Yoakum County
Zavala County
Utah
Carbon County
Daggett County
Duchesne County
Emery County
Grand County
Rich County
San Juan County
Virginia
Alleghany County
Bath County
Buchanan County
Wise County
Covington City
Norton City
West Virginia
Boone County
Clay County
Fayette County
Logan County
McDowell County
Mingo County
Webster County
Wetzel County
Wyoming County
Wyoming
Big Horn County
Carbon County
Converse County
Fremont County
Hot Springs County
Platte County
Sweetwater County
Washakie County
Weston County
Appendix D
Form of Memorandum of Agreement
Rural Empowerment Zones
This Agreement among the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA), the State of __________ and the Empowerment Zone Lead Entity
relating to the Rural Empowerment Zone known as __________, is made
pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code (title 26 of the United States
Code) as amended by The Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000
(Pub. L. 106-554).
In reliance upon and in consideration of the mutual
representations and obligations herein contained, the applicable
statute and part 25 to 7 C.F.R., the State and the Empowerment Zone
agree as follows:
The Rural Empowerment Zone boundaries are as follows: Census
Tracts ______, ______, ______ [as such boundaries may be modified]
in accordance with maps provided in the application for designation.
The term of the designation as a rural Empowerment Zone is effective
from [designation date] to December 31, ______, unless sooner
revoked.
1. The State and the Empowerment Zone will comply with the
requirements of The Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000, and
the regulations appearing in 7 C.F.R. part 25 and any future
regulations.
2. The State and the Empowerment Zone will comply with such
further statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements as may be
applicable to the receipt and expenditure of Federal funds.
3. The State and the Empowerment Zone will comply with all
elements of the USDA approved application for designation, including
the strategic plan, submitted to USDA pursuant to 7 C.F.R. part 25
(``strategic plan'') and all assurances, certifications, schedules
or other submissions made in support of the strategic plan or of
this Agreement.
4. The State and the Empowerment Zone will submit with each 2-
year workplan required under 7 C.F.R. 25.403 documentation, in form
and substance satisfactory to the Secretary, sufficient to identify
baselines, benchmark goals, benchmark activities and timetables for
the implementation of the strategic plan during the applicable 2
years of the workplan.
5. Pursuant to the strategic plan, the lead entity for the
Empowerment Zone known as ______ [name of lead entity] ______,
located at ______ [address] ______, is responsible for the
implementation of the strategic plan. The current director of the
lead entity, who is duly authorized to execute this agreement, is
______ [name] ______.
6. The use of Federal funds will be directed by the lead entity,
in accordance with the strategic plan. The distribution of these
funds will be in accordance with the directives of the lead entity,
provided that such actions are consistent with the USDA approved
strategic plan.
7. The lead entity agrees to timely comply with the reporting
requirements contained in 7 C.F.R. part 25, including reporting on
progress made in carrying out actions necessary to implement the
requirements of the strategic plan and any assurances,
certifications, schedules or other submissions made in connection
with the designation.
8. The lead entity agrees to submit to periodic performance
reviews by USDA in accordance with the provisions of 7 C.F.R. 25.402
and 25.404. Upon request by USDA, the lead entity will permit
representatives of USDA to inspect and make copies of any records
pertaining to matters covered by this Agreement.
9. Each year after the execution of this Agreement, the lead
entity will submit updated documentation sufficient to identify
baselines, benchmark goals and activities and timetables for the
implementation of the strategic plan during the following 2 years.
Upon written acceptance from USDA, such documentation shall become
part of this Agreement and shall replace the documentation submitted
previously, for purposes of operations during the following 2 years.
10. All benchmark goals, benchmark activities, baselines, and
schedules approved by the Empowerment Zone after a full community
participation process (which must be documented and which may be
further amended or supplemented from time to time), will be
incorporated as part of this Agreement. All references to the
strategic plan in this memorandum of agreement shall be deemed to
refer to the strategic plan as modified in accordance with this
paragraph.
11. This Agreement shall be a part of the strategic plan.
12. Amendments to the strategic plan may be made only with the
approval of the Empowerment Zone and USDA. The lead entity must
demonstrate to USDA that the local governments within the
Empowerment Zone were involved in the amendment process.
13. All attachments and submissions in accordance herewith are
incorporated as part of this agreement.
This Agreement is dated__.---------------------------------------------
State Government: State of __------------------------------------------
By:__------------------------------------------------------------------
[Official authorized to commit the state]
Title:-----------------------------------------------------------------
Address:---------------------------------------------------------------
Empowerment Zone [Name of Empowerment Zone].
By:__------------------------------------------------------------------
Title:-----------------------------------------------------------------
Address:---------------------------------------------------------------
Lead entity: [Name of Lead entity].
By:--------------------------------------------------------------------
Title:-----------------------------------------------------------------
Address:---------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Government: United States Department of Agriculture.
By:--------------------------------------------------------------------
Title:-----------------------------------------------------------------
Address:---------------------------------------------------------------
[FR Doc. 01-14119 Filed 6-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-07-P