[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 22, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80562-80563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-32097]


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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION


 Council on Underserved Communities, Establishment of and Request 
for Nominations

AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

ACTION: Notice of creation of Council on Underserved Communities and 
request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act and its 
implementing regulations, SBA is issuing this notice to announce the 
creation of its Council on Underserved Communities. This advisory 
committee is being established to help the agency identify and address 
needs of small businesses in underserved urban and rural communities. 
With this notice SBA is also requesting nominations for members of this 
Council.

DATES: Submit nominations on or before 5 p.m. EST January 31, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the Council on 
Underserved Communities may be directed to Dan Jones, telephone (202) 
205-7583, fax (202) 481-6536, e-mail [email protected] or mail, U.S. 
Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street, SW. 7th Floor, 
Washington DC 20416.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to its authority in section 
8(b)(13) of the Small Business Act, (15 U.S.C. 637(b)), SBA is 
establishing the Council on Underserved Communities. This discretionary 
committee is being established in accordance with the provisions of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.).
    The Council will provide advice, ideas and opinions on SBA programs 
and services and issues of interest to small businesses in underserved 
communities. Its members provide an essential connection between SBA 
and small businesses in inner city and rural communities. The Council's 
scope of activities includes reviewing SBA current programs and 
policies, while working towards creating new and insightful place-based 
initiatives to spur economic growth, job creation, competiveness, and 
sustainability.
    Council members will bring a number of important points of views to 
the Council: an understanding of the barriers to success for small 
business owners in underserved communities; experience working in and 
operating businesses in urban and rural underserved communities; 
challenges regarding access to capital; knowledge and experience in 
training and counseling entrepreneurs in underserved communities; and 
associations representing owners of small business in underserved 
communities.
    The Council will have a total of twenty (20) members, 19 members-
at-large and one Chair. Members may consist of current or former small 
business owners, community leaders, officials from small business trade 
associations, and academic institutions. Members shall represent the 
interests of underserved communities across the country, both rural and 
urban.

Request for Nominations

    SBA is requesting nominations for the Council on Underserved 
Communities and encourages all qualified candidates to apply. 
Candidates may self nominate or be nominated by another source. SBA 
will be accepting nominations for membership through January 31, 2011. 
Please e-mail contact information and a resume or bio to 
[email protected].

Qualifications

    SBA is asking for nominations to fill the 19 at-large Council 
members. Members must represent at least one of the following 
constituencies: current or former small business owners; community 
leaders; small business trade associations; or academic institutions. 
SBA seeks candidates representing both urban and rural underserved 
communities.

Status

    All members serve at the pleasure of the SBA Administrator and will 
be considered representatives. Members will not be paid for 
participation however, the Agency will pay travel and per diem expenses 
while members are attending required meetings. Council members are 
expected to attend all required meetings. Some meetings may be held via 
conference call. Initially,

[[Page 80563]]

nine (9) members will be appointed for a term of 2 years and eleven 
(11) members will be appointed for a term of 3 years. Thereafter, 
members will be appointed for two (2) year terms and may not serve more 
than three (3) terms unless SBA terminates membership sooner.

Nomination Process

    Nominees should send a letter of self-nomination or a letter of 
nomination from a peer, professional organization or society or member 
of Congress. This letter must indicate which category the nominee will 
represent and highlight accomplishments and experience working with 
small businesses in urban or rural underserved communities, including 
personal experience as a small business owner located in an underserved 
community. The letter should also include the following information: 
full name of nominee, occupation, physical address, telephone number, 
and e-mail address.
    All nominees are subject to a conflict of interest determination by 
SBA and will not be considered eligible until such determination is 
made. Nominees may be asked to submit additional information. 
Nominations must be sent to Dan Jones at [email protected].

    Dated: December 16, 2010.
Dan Jones,
SBA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-32097 Filed 12-21-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025-01-P