[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30046-30051]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14822]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration

[Docket No. 090528927-9927-01]


Solicitation of Applications for Economic Development Assistance 
Programs

AGENCY: Economic Development Administration (EDA), Department of 
Commerce

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

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    Pursuant to the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, 
as amended (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.) (PWEDA), EDA announces general 
policies and application procedures for grant-based investments under 
the Public Works, Planning, Local Technical Assistance, and Economic 
Adjustment Assistance Programs to promote comprehensive, 
entrepreneurial and innovation-based economic development efforts to 
enhance the competitiveness of regions, resulting in increased private 
investment and higher-skill, higher-wage jobs in areas experiencing 
substantial and persistent economic distress.

[[Page 30047]]


DATES: Applications are accepted on a continuing basis and processed as 
received. Generally, two months are required for EDA to reach a final 
decision after receipt of a complete application that meets all 
requirements. Applications received after the date of this notice will 
be processed in accordance with the requirements set forth herein and 
in the related federal funding opportunity (FFO) announcement, until 
the next annual FFO is posted on www.grants.gov and related notice and 
request for applications is published in the Federal Register.
    Application Submission Requirements: The applicant is advised to 
read carefully the instructions contained in both the complete FFO 
announcement for this request for applications, and in the Application 
for Investment Assistance (Form ED-900).
    To apply for assistance under any of EDA's programs, an applicant 
must submit a complete Form ED-900. EDA will continue to require 
additional government-wide federal grant assistance forms from the 
Standard Form (SF) 424 family and certain Department of Commerce (CD) 
forms as part of the application package. The specific SF forms 
required with the Form ED-900 depend on whether the applicant seeks 
construction or non-construction assistance. The following will assist 
applicants in determining which forms are required for a complete 
application. Please see the section below entitled ``Obtaining 
Application Packages'' for information.
    Applicants seeking assistance for a project with construction 
components are required to complete and submit the following:
    (i) Form ED-900 (Application for Investment Assistance);
    (ii) Form SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance);
    (iii) Form SF-424C (Budget Information--Construction Programs);
    (iv) Form SF-424D (Assurances--Construction Programs); and
    (v) Form CD-511 (Certification Regarding Lobbying).
    Applicants seeking assistance for a project without construction 
components are required to complete and submit the following forms:
    (i) Form ED-900 (Application for Investment Assistance);
    (ii) Form SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance);
    (iii) Form SF-424A (Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs);
    (vi) Form SF-424B (Assurances--Non-Construction Programs); and
    (v) Form CD-511 (Certification Regarding Lobbying).
    Applicants for both construction and non-construction assistance 
may be required to submit to an individual background screening on the 
form titled Applicant for Funding Assistance (Form CD-346) and to 
provide certain lobbying information using the form titled Disclosure 
of Lobbying Activities (Form SF-LLL). The Form ED-900 provides detailed 
guidance to help the applicant assess whether Forms CD-346 and SF-LLL 
are required and how to access them.
    Content and Form of the Form ED-900: The applicant is advised to 
read carefully the instructions contained in this notice, the complete 
FFO announcement, and all forms contained in the appropriate 
application package. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to 
ensure that the appropriate application package is complete and 
received by EDA.
    The Form ED-900 is divided into lettered sections that correspond 
to specific EDA program components (e.g., Local or National Technical 
Assistance; Construction Assistance), which address all of EDA's 
statutory and regulatory requirements. Only the first section, Section 
A, solicits general information regarding a proposed project and must 
be completed by all applicants for any type of assistance. Section B 
solicits specific economic data to help EDA assess an applicant's 
regional eligibility for Public Works or Economic Adjustment 
Assistance, and Section C solicits information to help EDA determine 
the applicant's maximum allowable investment rate for Planning, Local 
and National Technical Assistance, University Center, or Research and 
Evaluation projects. Section D solicits documents from non-governmental 
applicants relevant to organizational capacity and structure. The 
remaining sections solicit information essential for EDA to assess 
project effectiveness and competitiveness by program type, such as 
project coordination with existing economic development strategies and 
potential impact. Sections E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, and N solicit 
such information from applicants for Non-Construction, Planning, Short-
Term Planning, State Planning, Local or National Technical, University 
Center, Economic Adjustment, Revolving Loan Fund, Construction, and 
Design and Engineering Assistance, respectively. The Form ED-900 also 
contains a series of exhibits, which include EDA and Department of 
Commerce assurances and the Calculation of Estimated Relocation and 
Land Acquisition Expenses. The text of the Form ED-900 specifies which 
exhibits are required for each type of applicant.
    Please note that an applicant need not complete all sections of the 
Form ED-900. As noted above, the sections an applicant must complete 
are determined by the program under which funding is sought and the 
nature of the applicant. Based on program type, the following table 
details the sections and exhibits in the ED-900 that the applicant must 
complete. This table also is provided on the first page of the 
Instructions to the Form ED-900.

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              EDA program                 Required form ED-900 sections
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Public Works...........................  Complete Sections A, B, and M
                                          and Exhibits A, D, and E.
Economic Adjustment....................  Complete Sections A, B, and K
                                          and Exhibit C. Also complete
                                          Sections M and Exhibits A, D,
                                          and E if the application has
                                          construction components and
                                          Section N if the application
                                          has only design/engineering
                                          requirements. Complete Section
                                          E if the application has no
                                          construction components.
Partnership Planning...................  Complete Sections A, C, E, and
                                          F and Exhibit C.
Short-Term Planning....................  Complete Sections A, C, E, and
                                          G and Exhibit C.
State Planning.........................  Complete Sections A, C, E, G,
                                          and H and Exhibit C.
University Center......................  Complete Sections A, C, E, and
                                          J and Exhibit C.
Local Technical Assistance.............  Complete Sections A, C, E, and
                                          I and Exhibit C.
National Technical Assistance..........  Complete Sections A, C, E, and
                                          I and Exhibit B.
Research and Evaluation Assistance.....  Complete Sections A, C, E and
                                          Exhibit B.
Revolving Loan Fund....................  Complete Sections A, B, E, K,
                                          and L and Exhibit C.
Design and Engineering.................  Complete Sections A, B, and N
                                          and Exhibit C.
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[[Page 30048]]

    Obtaining Application Packages: An applicant may obtain the 
appropriate application package electronically at www.grants.gov. All 
components of the appropriate application package may be accessed and 
downloaded (in a screen-fillable format) at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp. Alternatively, applicants eligible 
for assistance under this notice may request paper (hardcopy) 
application packages by contacting the applicable EDA regional office 
servicing your geographic area listed below under ``Addresses and 
Telephone Numbers for EDA's Regional Offices.''
    Application Submission Formats: Applications may be submitted 
either (i) electronically in accordance with the procedures provided at 
www.grants.gov; or (ii) in paper (hardcopy) format to the applicable 
regional office address provided below. The content of applications is 
the same for paper submissions as it is for electronic submissions. EDA 
will not accept facsimile transmissions of applications.
    Electronic Submissions: Applicants are encouraged to submit 
applications electronically in accordance with the instructions 
provided at www.grants.gov. The preferred file format for electronic 
attachments is portable document format (PDF); however, EDA will accept 
electronic files in Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, or Microsoft Excel 
formats. Validation or rejection of your application by www.grants.gov 
may take additional days after your submission. Therefore, please 
consider the www.grants.gov validation/rejection process in developing 
your application submission timeline.
    Applicants should access the following link for assistance in 
navigating www.grants.gov and for a list of useful resources: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant_help.jsp. If you do not find an 
answer to your question under Frequently Asked Questions, try 
consulting the Applicant's User Guide. If you still cannot find an 
answer to your question, contact www.grants.gov via e-mail at 
[email protected] or telephone at 1-800-518-4726. The hours of 
operation for www.grants.gov are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
(Eastern Time) (except for federal holidays).
    Paper Submissions: An eligible applicant under this notice may 
submit a completed paper application to the applicable EDA regional 
office listed below. The applicant must submit one original and two 
copies of the appropriate completed application package via postal 
mail, shipped overnight, or hand-delivered to the applicable regional 
office, unless otherwise directed by EDA staff. Department of Commerce 
mail security measures may delay receipt of United States Postal 
Service mail for up to two weeks. Therefore, applicants who submit 
paper submissions are advised to use guaranteed overnight delivery 
services.
    Addresses and Telephone Numbers for EDA's Regional Offices: 
Applicants in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North 
Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, may submit paper submissions 
to: Economic Development Administration, Atlanta Regional Office, 401 
West Peachtree Street, NW., Suite 1820, Atlanta, Georgia 30308, 
Telephone: (404) 730-3002, Fax: (404) 730-3025.
    Applicants in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, 
may submit paper submissions to: Economic Development Administration, 
Austin Regional Office, 504 Lavaca, Suite 1100, Austin, Texas 78701-
2858, Telephone: (512) 381-8144, Fax: (512) 381-8177.
    Applicants in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, 
Wisconsin and Muscatine and Scott counties, Iowa, may submit paper 
submissions to: Economic Development Administration, Chicago Regional 
Office, 111 North Canal Street, Suite 855, Chicago, Illinois 60606, 
Telephone: (312) 353-7706, Fax: (312) 353-8575.
    Applicants in Colorado, Iowa (excluding Muscatine and Scott 
counties), Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South 
Dakota, Utah and Wyoming, may submit paper submissions to: Economic 
Development Administration, Denver Regional Office, 410 17th Street, 
Suite 250, Denver, Colorado 80202, Telephone: (303) 844-4714, Fax: 
(303) 844-3968.
    Applicants in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, 
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, U.S. Virgin Islands, 
Virginia and West Virginia, may submit paper submissions to: Economic 
Development Administration, Philadelphia Regional Office, Curtis 
Center, 601 Walnut Street, Suite 140 South, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
19106, Telephone: (215) 597-4603, Fax: (215) 597-1063.
    Applicants in Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, 
Hawaii, Idaho, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nevada, Northern Mariana 
Islands, Oregon, Republic of Palau and Washington, may submit paper 
submissions to: Economic Development Administration, Seattle Regional 
Office, Jackson Federal Building, Room 1890, 915 Second Avenue, 
Seattle, Washington 98174, Telephone: (206) 220-7660, Fax: (206) 220-
7669.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or for a 
paper copy of the FFO announcement, contact the appropriate EDA 
regional office listed above. EDA's Internet Web site at http://www.eda.gov also contains additional information on EDA and its 
programs.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Program Information: EDA's mission is to lead the federal economic 
development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, 
preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide 
economy. In implementing this mission pursuant to its authorizing 
statute, PWEDA, EDA advances economic growth by assisting communities 
and regions experiencing chronic high unemployment and low per capita 
income to create an environment that fosters innovation, promotes 
entrepreneurship, and attracts increased private capital investment. 
EDA encourages the submission of only those applications that will 
significantly benefit regions with distressed economies. Distress may 
exist in a variety of forms, including high levels of unemployment, low 
income levels, large concentrations of low-income families, significant 
declines in per capita income, large numbers (or high rates) of 
business failures, sudden major layoffs or plant closures, trade 
impacts, military base closures, natural or other major disasters, 
depletion of natural resources, reduced tax bases, or substantial loss 
of population because of the lack of employment opportunities. It is 
EDA's experience that regional economic development to alleviate these 
conditions is effected primarily through investments and decisions made 
by the private sector. Therefore, EDA funding generally must be matched 
by non-EDA funds. See section III.C. of the applicable FFO for more 
information.
    EDA will evaluate and select applications according to the 
investment policy guidelines and funding priorities set forth below 
under ``Evaluation Criteria'' and ``Funding Priorities'' and in section 
V. of the FFO announcement.
    Electronic Access: The complete FFO announcement for the FY 2009 
Economic Development Assistance Programs competition is available at 
www.grants.gov and at www.eda.gov.
    Funding Availability: Funding appropriated under the Omnibus 
Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-08, 123 Stat. 524, 561 (2009)) is

[[Page 30049]]

available for the economic development assistance programs authorized 
by PWEDA and for the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program 
(TAAF Program) authorized under the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 
U.S.C. 2341-2391) (Trade Act). Funds in the amount of $240,000,000 have 
been appropriated for FY 2009 and shall remain available until 
expended.
    Under this announcement, approximately $196,972,592 is available 
for the (i) Public Works and Economic Development Facilities Program; 
(ii) Planning Program; (iii) Local Technical Assistance Program; and 
(iv) Economic Adjustment Assistance Program. The funding periods and 
funding amounts referenced in the FFO announcement are subject to the 
availability of funds at the time of award, as well as to Department of 
Commerce and EDA priorities at the time of award. The Department of 
Commerce and EDA will not be held responsible for application 
preparation costs. Publication of this notice and the FFO announcement 
does not obligate the Department of Commerce or EDA to award any 
specific grant or cooperative agreement or to obligate all or any part 
of available funds.
    From amounts otherwise made available for the economic development 
assistance programs authorized by PWEDA, EDA is allocating $14,700,000 
in FY 2009 to the Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund to 
support projects that foster economic competitiveness while enhancing 
environmental quality. EDA anticipates that these funds will be used to 
promote the green economy through projects that enhance sustainability, 
diversify the economy, and result in 21st century higher-skill, higher-
wage jobs. An applicant eligible for funding under this initiative 
should apply in the same manner that it would apply for Economic 
Adjustment Assistance Program funding and should include in the project 
narrative a detailed explanation of how the proposed project will help 
advance the goals of the Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive 
Fund. Please see section II.A.5 of the applicable FFO. For more 
information on the goals of this initiative, contact the designated 
point of contact listed in section VIII.B. of the applicable FFO for 
the EDA regional office servicing your geographic area.
    EDA expects to post a separate FFO announcement(s) at 
www.grants.gov and at http://www.eda.gov that will set forth the 
specific funding priorities, application and selection processes, time 
frames, and evaluation criteria for certain National Technical 
Assistance and Research and Evaluation projects to be funded with FY 
2009 appropriations. A separate FFO announcement dated February 20, 
2009, regarding the FY 2009 University Center competition in EDA's 
Atlanta and Seattle regional offices, has been posted at www.grants.gov 
and at http://www.eda.gov.
    Under the Trade Act, EDA administers the TAAF Program to provide 
technical assistance to firms adversely affected by increased import 
competition. EDA anticipates that appropriated funds will be used to 
extend new cooperative agreements to the existing network of 11 Trade 
Adjustment Assistance Centers, and to provide technical assistance to 
firms certified as eligible under the TAAF Program. See 13 CFR part 
315.
    Statutory Authorities: The authorities for the (i) Public Works and 
Economic Development Facilities Program; (ii) Planning Program; (iii) 
Local Technical Assistance Program; and (iv) Economic Adjustment 
Assistance Program are sections 201 (42 U.S.C. 3141), 203 (42 U.S.C. 
3143), 207 (42 U.S.C. 3147), and 209 (42 U.S.C. 3149) of PWEDA, 
respectively. Unless otherwise provided in this notice or in the FFO 
announcement, applicant eligibility, program objectives and priorities, 
application procedures, evaluation criteria, selection procedures, and 
other requirements for all programs are set forth in EDA's regulations 
(codified at 13 CFR chapter III) and applicants must address these 
requirements. EDA's regulations and PWEDA are available at http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Lawsreg.xml.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers: 11.300, 
Grants for Public Works and Economic Development Facilities; 11.302, 
Economic Development--Support for Planning Organizations; 11.303, 
Economic Development--Technical Assistance; 11.307, Economic Adjustment 
Assistance.
    Applicant Eligibility: Pursuant to PWEDA, eligible applicants for 
and eligible recipients of EDA investment assistance include a(n): (i) 
District Organization; (ii) Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian 
Tribes; (iii) State, a city or other political subdivision of a State, 
including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged 
in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium 
of political subdivisions; (iv) institution of higher education or a 
consortium of institutions of higher education; or (v) public or 
private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation 
with officials of a political subdivision of a State. See section 3 of 
PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3122) and 13 CFR 300.3. Projects eligible for Public 
Works or Economic Adjustment investment assistance include those 
projects located in regions meeting ``Special Need'' criteria (defined 
in 13 CFR 300.3), as set forth in section VII. of the FFO announcement. 
For-profit, private-sector entities are not eligible to apply for 
investment assistance under this notice.
    Cost Sharing Requirement: Generally, the amount of the EDA grant 
may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the project. Projects 
may receive an additional amount that shall not exceed 30 percent, 
based on the relative needs of the region in which the project will be 
located, as determined by EDA. See section 204(a) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 
3144) and 13 CFR 301.4(b)(1). For Planning Assistance, the minimum EDA 
investment rate for projects under 13 CFR part 303 is 50 percent, and 
the maximum allowable EDA investment rate may not exceed 80 percent. 
See 13 CFR 301.4(b)(3). For projects of a national scope under 13 CFR 
part 306 (Training, Research and Technical Assistance), and for all 
other projects under 13 CFR part 306, the Assistant Secretary of 
Commerce for Economic Development has the discretion to establish a 
maximum EDA investment rate of up to 100 percent where the project (i) 
merits, and is not otherwise feasible without, an increase to the EDA 
investment rate; or (ii) will be of no or only incidental benefit to 
the recipient. See section 204(c)(3) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and 13 
CFR 301.4(b)(4). The Assistant Secretary has the discretion to 
establish a maximum EDA investment rate of up to 100 percent of the 
total project cost in the case of EDA investment assistance to a(n) (i) 
Indian Tribe, (ii) State (or political subdivision of a State) that the 
Assistant Secretary determines has exhausted its effective taxing and 
borrowing capacity, or (iii) non-profit organization that the Assistant 
Secretary determines has exhausted its effective borrowing capacity. 
See sections 204(c)(1) and (2) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and 13 CFR 
301.4(b)(5). Potential applicants should contact the appropriate EDA 
regional office to make these determinations.
    In the application review process, EDA will consider the nature of 
the contribution (cash or in-kind) and the amount of the matching share 
funds. EDA will give preference to applications that include cash 
contributions (over in-kind contributions) as the matching share. While 
cash contributions are preferred, in-kind contributions, fairly 
evaluated by EDA, may provide the required non-federal share of the 
total

[[Page 30050]]

project cost. See section 204(b) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3144) and section 
III.B. of the FFO announcement for this request for applications. In-
kind contributions, which may include forgiveness or assumptions of 
debt, and contributions of space, equipment or services, are eligible 
to be included as part of the non-federal share of eligible project 
costs if they meet applicable federal cost principles and uniform 
administrative requirements. Funds from other federal financial 
assistance awards are considered matching share funds only if 
authorized by statute, which may be determined by EDA's reasonable 
interpretation of the statute. See 13 CFR 300.3. The applicant must 
show that the matching share is committed to the project for the 
project period, will be available as needed and is not conditioned or 
encumbered in any way that precludes its use consistent with the 
requirements of EDA investment assistance. See 13 CFR 301.5.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications for assistance under EDA's 
programs are subject to the State review requirements imposed by 
Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
    Evaluation and Selection Procedures: Each application package is 
circulated by a project officer within the applicable EDA regional 
office for review and comments. When the necessary input and 
information are obtained, the application is considered by the regional 
office's Investment Review Committee (IRC), which is comprised of 
regional office staff. The IRC discusses the application and evaluates 
it on two levels to (a) determine if the application meets the program-
specific award and application requirements provided in 13 CFR 305.2 
for Public Works investments, 13 CFR 303.3 for Planning investments, 13 
CFR 306.2 for Local and National Technical Assistance, and 13 CFR 307.2 
and 307.4 for Economic Adjustment Assistance; and (b) evaluate it using 
the general evaluation criteria set forth in 13 CFR 301.8. These 
general evaluation criteria also are provided below under ``Evaluation 
Criteria.''
    The IRC recommends to the Regional Director whether an application 
merits further consideration, documenting its recommendation. For 
quality control assurance, EDA Headquarters reviews the IRC's analysis 
of the project's fulfillment of the investment policy guidelines set 
forth below under ``Evaluation Criteria,'' in section V.B. of the FFO, 
and in 13 CFR 301.8. After receiving quality control clearance, the 
Selecting Official, who is the Regional Director, considers the 
evaluations provided by the IRC and the degree to which one or more of 
the funding priorities provided below are included, in making his/her 
decision as to which applications merit further consideration.
    To limit the burden on the applicant, EDA requests additional 
documentation only if EDA determines that the applicant's project 
merits further consideration. The Form ED-900 provides detailed 
guidance on documentation, information, and other materials that will 
be requested if, and only if, EDA selects the project for further 
consideration. EDA will inform the applicant if its application has 
been selected for further consideration or if the application has not 
been selected for funding.
    Evaluation Criteria: EDA will select applications competitively 
based on the investment policy guidelines and funding priority 
considerations identified in this notice. EDA will evaluate the extent 
to which a project embodies the maximum number of investment policy 
guidelines and funding priorities possible and strongly exemplifies at 
least one of each. All investment applications will be competitively 
evaluated primarily on their ability to satisfy the following 
investment policy guidelines, each of equivalent weight and which also 
are set forth in 13 CFR 301.8.
    1. Be market-based and results driven. An EDA investment will 
capitalize on a region's competitive strengths and will positively move 
a regional economic indicator, such as: an increased number of higher-
skill, higher-wage jobs; increased tax revenue; or increased private 
sector investment.
    2. Have strong organizational leadership. An EDA investment will 
have strong leadership, relevant project management experience, and a 
significant commitment of human resources talent to ensure a project's 
successful execution.
    3. Advance productivity, innovation and entrepreneurship. An EDA 
investment will enable entrepreneurship, enhance regional industry 
clusters, and leverage and link technology innovators and local 
universities to the private sector to create the conditions for greater 
productivity, innovation, and job creation.
    4. Look beyond the immediate economic horizon, anticipate economic 
changes, and diversify the local and regional economy. An EDA 
investment will be part of an overarching, long-term comprehensive 
economic development strategy that enhances a region's success in 
achieving a rising standard of living by supporting existing industry 
clusters, developing emerging new clusters, or attracting new regional 
economic drivers.
    5. Demonstrate a high degree of local commitment by exhibiting:
     High levels of local government or non-profit matching 
funds and private sector leverage;
     Clear and unified leadership and support by local elected 
officials; and
     Strong cooperation between the business sector, relevant 
regional partners and local, State and federal governments.
    In addition to using the investment policy guidelines set forth 
above, EDA also will evaluate all Planning Assistance applications 
based on the (i) quality of the proposed scope of work for the 
development, implementation, revision or replacement of a comprehensive 
economic development strategy (CEDS); and (ii) qualifications of the 
applicant to implement the goals and objectives resulting from the 
CEDS. See 13 CFR 303.3(a)(1) and (2). To ensure that the application 
fully meets these requirements, the applicant should pay particular 
attention to 13 CFR 303.7(b), which sets forth specific technical 
requirements for the CEDS.
    Funding Priorities: Successful applications for EDA's investment 
programs will be regionally driven initiatives in areas of the Nation 
that are underperforming and eligible for EDA assistance, and that meet 
one or more of the following core criteria (investment applications 
that meet more than one core criterion will be given more favorable 
consideration):
    1. Investments in support of long-term, coordinated and 
collaborative regional economic development approaches:
     Establish comprehensive regional economic development 
strategies that identify promising opportunities for long-term economic 
growth.
     Exhibit demonstrable, committed multi-jurisdictional 
support from leaders across all sectors:
    i. Public (e.g., mayors, city councils, county executives, senior 
state leadership);
    ii. Institutional (e.g., institutions of higher learning);
    iii. Non-profit (e.g., chambers of commerce, development 
organizations); and
    iv. Private (e.g., leading regional businesses, significant 
regional industry associations).
     Generate quantifiable positive economic outcomes.
    2. Investments that support innovation and competitiveness:
     Develop and enhance the functioning and competitiveness of

[[Page 30051]]

leading and emerging industry clusters in an economic region.
     Advance technology transfer from research institutions to 
the commercial marketplace.
     Bolster critical infrastructure (e.g., transportation, 
communications, specialized training) to prepare economic regions to 
compete in the world-wide marketplace.
    3. Investments that encourage entrepreneurship:
     Cultivate a favorable entrepreneurial environment 
consistent with regional strategies.
     Enable economic regions to identify innovative 
opportunities among growth-oriented small and medium-size enterprises.
     Promote community and faith-based entrepreneurship 
programs aimed at improving economic performance in an economic region.
    4. Investments in support of strategies that link regional 
economies with the global marketplace:
     Enable businesses, local governments and key institutions 
(e.g., higher education) to understand and take advantage of the 
numerous free trade agreements implemented in the last seven years.
     Enable economic development professionals to develop and 
implement strategies that reflect the competitive environment of the 
21st Century global marketplace.
     Build strategies to help regional economies boost exports.
     Promote foreign direct investment.
    5. Additional considerations:
     Respond to sudden and severe economic dislocations (e.g., 
major layoffs, plant closures or disasters).
     Enable BRAC-impacted communities to transition from a 
military to civilian economy.
     Advance the goals of linking historic preservation and 
economic development as outlined by Executive Order 13287, ``Preserve 
America.''
     Support the economic revitalization of brownfields.
     Implement the Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive 
Fund as set forth in section II.A.5 of the FFO.
    The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements: The administrative and national 
policy requirements for all Department of Commerce awards, contained in 
the Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements, published in the Federal Register on 
February 11, 2008 (73 FR 7696), are applicable to this competitive 
solicitation.
    Paperwork Reduction Act: This document contains collection-of-
information requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). 
The use of Form ED-900 (Application for Investment Assistance) has been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Control 
Number 0610-0094. The use of Forms SF-424 (Application for Financial 
Assistance), SF-424A (Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs), 
SF-424B (Assurances--Non-Construction Programs), SF-424C (Budget 
Information--Construction Programs), and SF-424D (Assurances--
Construction Programs) has been approved under OMB Control Numbers 
4040-0004, 0348-0044, 4040-0007, 4040-0008, and 4040-0009, 
respectively. The Form CD-346 (Applicant for Funding Assistance) is 
approved under OMB Control Number 0605-0001, and Form SF-LLL 
(Disclosure of Lobbying Activities) is approved under OMB Control 
Number 0348-0046. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person 
is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number.
    Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review): This notice 
has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive 
Order 12866.
    Executive Order 13132 (Federalism): It has been determined that 
this notice does not contain policies with Federalism implications as 
that term is defined in Executive Order 13132.
    Administrative Procedure Act/Regulatory Flexibility Act: Prior 
notice and an opportunity for public comments are not required by the 
Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for rules concerning 
grants, benefits, and contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2)). Because notice 
and opportunity for comment are not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 
or any other law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are inapplicable. Therefore, a 
regulatory flexibility analysis has not been prepared.

    Dated: June 18, 2009.
Dennis Alvord,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development 
.
[FR Doc. E9-14822 Filed 6-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-24-P