[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 13 (Thursday, January 22, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3986-3987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-1129]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Omnibus Notice 
for: Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy; Requirements for 
Approved Construction Investments; Award Amendment Requests and Project 
Service Maps; and Property Management

AGENCY: Economic Development Administration (EDA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as amended.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before March 23, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 14th 
Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the 
Internet at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Maureen Klovers, Program Analyst, Office of Regional 
Affairs, Room 7019, Economic Development Administration, Washington, DC 
20230, telephone (202) 482-2785, facsimile (202) 482-2838 (or via the 
Internet at [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The mission of the Economic Development 
Administration (EDA) is to lead the Federal economic agenda by 
promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions 
for growth, and success in the worldwide economy. In order to 
effectively administer and monitor its economic development assistance 
programs, EDA collects certain information from applicants for, and 
recipients of, EDA investment assistance. Four separate information 
collections expiring April 30, 2009, are combined in this notice for 
efficiency and economy purposes and are proposed to be reinstated 
without change: A. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (OMB 
Control No. 0610-0093); B. Requirements for Approved Construction 
Investments (OMB Control No.0610-0096); C. Request To Amend an 
Investment Award and Project Service Maps (OMB Control No. 0610-0102); 
and D. Property Management (OMB Control No. 0610-0103).

A. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (OMB Control No. 0610-
0093)

I. Abstract

    A Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is required to 
qualify for EDA investment assistance under its Public Works, Economic 
Adjustment, and most planning programs, and is a prerequisite for a 
region's designation by EDA as an Economic Development District (see 13 
CFR 303, 305.2, and 307.2 of EDA's regulations). This collection of 
information is required to ensure that the recipient is complying with 
EDA's CEDS requirements.

II. Method of Collection

    Paper report. Alternatively, EDA may approve an electronic 
submission.

III. Data

    Agency Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: EDA applicants for, and recipients of, Public 
Works, Economic Adjustment, and planning assistance, to include (1) 
Cities or other political subdivisions of a state, including a special 
purpose unit of state or local government engaged in economic or 
infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political 
subdivisions; (2) states; (3) institutions of higher education or a 
consortia of institutions of higher education; (4) public or private 
non-profit organizations or associations; (5) District Organizations; 
and (6) Indian Tribes or a consortia of Indian Tribes.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 522 (14 initial CEDS, 74 
revised CEDS, 371 updated CEDS performance reports, 62 CEDS for 
applicants for EDA assistance not located in EDA-funded planning 
district).
    Estimated Time Per Response: 480 hours for the initial CEDS for a 
District Organization or other planning organization funded by EDA; 160 
hours for the CEDS revision required at least every 5 years from an 
EDA-funded District or other planning organization; 40 hours for the 
annual updated CEDS performance report required of EDA-funded District 
or other planning organizations; 40 hours per applicant for EDA Public 
Works or Economic Adjustment Assistance with a project deemed by EDA to 
`merit further consideration' that is not located in an EDA-funded 
District.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 35,927.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0.

B. Requirements for Approved Construction Investments (OMB Control No. 
0610-0096)

I. Abstract

    The Summary of EDA Construction Standards (commonly referred to as 
the ``bluebook'') and the Standard Terms and Conditions for 
Construction Projects, as well as any special conditions incorporated 
into the terms and conditions at the time of award, supplement the 
requirements that apply to EDA-funded construction projects. The 
information collected is used to monitor recipients' compliance with 
EDA's statutory and regulatory requirements and specific terms and 
conditions relating to individual awards. EDA also uses the information 
requested to analyze and evaluate program performance.

II. Method of Collection

    Paper report. For some documents, EDA may approve electronic 
submissions.

III. Data

    Agency Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Current recipients of EDA construction (Public 
Works or Economic Adjustment) assistance, to include (1) Cities or 
other political subdivisions of a state, including a special purpose 
unit of state or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure 
development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions; (2) 
states; (3) institutions of higher education or a consortium of 
institutions of higher education; (4) public or private non-profit 
organizations or associations; (5) District Organizations; and (6) 
Indian Tribes or a consortia of Indian Tribes.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 4,200 (600 open construction 
grants x an average of 7 responses/year).
    Estimated Time per Response: 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,400.

[[Page 3987]]

    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0.

C. Request To Amend an Investment Award and Project Service Maps 
(OMBControl No. 0610-0102)

I. Abstract

    A recipient must submit a written request to EDA to amend an 
investment award and provide such information and documentation as EDA 
deems necessary to determine the merit of altering the terms of an 
award (see 13 CFR 302.7(a) of EDA's regulations). EDA may require a 
recipient to submit a project service map and information from which to 
determine whether services are provided to all segments of the region 
being assisted (see CFR 302.16(c) of EDA's regulations).

II. Method of Collection

    Paper report.

III. Data

    Agency Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Ad hoc submission (on an as-needed basis).
    Affected Public: Current recipients of EDA assistance, to include 
(1) Cities or other political subdivisions of a state, including a 
special purpose unit of state or local government engaged in economic 
or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political 
subdivisions; (2) states; (3) institutions of higher education or a 
consortia of institutions of higher education; (4) public or private 
non-profit organizations or associations; (5) District Organizations; 
(6) Indian Tribes or a consortia of Indian Tribes; and (7) (for 
training, research, and technical assistance awards only) individuals 
and for-profit businesses.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 600 requests for amendments 
to construction awards, 30 requests for amendments to non-construction 
awards, 2 project service maps.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 2 hours per request for an amendment 
to a construction award, 1 hour per request for an amendment to a non-
construction award, 6 hours for a project service map.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,242.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0.

D. Property Management (OMB Control No. 0610-0103)

I. Abstract

    A recipient must request, in writing, EDA's approval to undertake 
an incidental use of property acquired or improved with EDA investment 
assistance (see 13 CFR 314.3 of EDA's regulations). This collection of 
information allows EDA to determine whether an incidental use of 
property acquired or improved with EDA investment assistance is 
appropriate. If a recipient wishes for EDA to release its real property 
or tangible personal property interests before the expiration of the 
property's estimated useful life, the recipient must submit a written 
request to EDA and disclose to EDA the intended future use of the real 
property or the tangible personal property for which the release is 
requested (see 13 CFR 314.10 of EDA's regulations). This collection of 
information allows EDA to determine whether to release its real 
property or tangible personal property interests.

II. Method of Collection

    Paper Report. Alternatively, EDA may approve an electronic 
submission.

III. Data

    Agency Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Ad hoc submission (only when a recipient makes a 
request).
    Affected Public: Current or past recipients of EDA construction 
(Public Works or Economic Adjustment) assistance, to include (1) Cities 
or other political subdivisions of a state, including a special purpose 
unit of state or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure 
development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions; (2) 
states; (3) institutions of higher education or a consortium of 
institutions of higher education; (4) public or private non-profit 
organizations or associations; (5) District Organizations; and (6) 
Indian Tribes or a consortia of Indian Tribes.
    Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 54 incidental use requests; 
96 for requests to release EDA's property interest.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 45 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 113.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: January 14, 2009.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-1129 Filed 1-21-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-34-P