[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 11, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12795-12797]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05525]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Inviting Applications for the Rural Economic Development Loan and 
Grant Programs for Fiscal Year 2015

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This Notice is to invite applications for loans and grants 
under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) programs 
pursuant to 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A for fiscal year (FY) 2015. 
Funding to support $38.6 million in loans and $9.2 million in grants is 
currently available. The commitment of program dollars will be made to 
applicants of selected responses that have fulfilled the necessary 
requirements for obligation.
    All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in 
developing their applications.

DATES: Application Deadline: Completed applications must be received in 
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development 
State Office no later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on the last business 
day of each month to be considered for funding in the following month 
in FY 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit applications in paper format to the USDA Rural 
Development State Office for the State where the project is located. A 
list of the USDA Rural Development State Office contacts can be found 
at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/StateOfficeAddresses.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristi Kubista-Hovis at (202) 815-
1589, [email protected], and Cindy Mason at (202) 690-
1433, [email protected]. Please contact the USDA Rural 
Development State Office in the State in which the project will be 
located.

Overview

    Solicitation Opportunity Type: Rural Economic Development Loans and 
Grants.
    Announcement Type: Initial Announcement.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.854.
    Dates: Application Deadline: Completed applications must be 
received in the USDA Rural Development State Office no later than 4:30 
p.m. (local time) on the last business day of each month to be 
considered for funding in the following month in FY 2015.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    A. Purpose of the Program. The purpose of the program is to promote 
rural economic development and job creation projects.
    B. Statutory Authority. These programs are authorized under 7 
U.S.C. 940c and 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. Assistance provided to 
rural areas, as defined, under this program may include business 
startup costs, business expansion, business incubators, technical 
assistance feasibility studies, advanced telecommunications services 
and computer networks for medical, educational, and job training 
services, and community facilities projects for economic development. 
Awards are made on a competitive basis using specific selection 
criteria contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. Information required 
to be in the application includes an SF-424, ``Application for Federal 
Assistance;'' a Resolution of the Board of Directors; AD-1047, 
``Debarment/Suspension Certification;'' Assurance Statement for the 
Uniform Act; Restrictions on Lobbying, AD-1049, ``Certification 
Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements;'' Form

[[Page 12796]]

RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement;'' Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance 
Agreement;'' Seismic Certification (if construction); paperwork 
required in accordance with 7 CFR 1940, subpart G, ``Environmental 
Program.'' If the proposal involves new construction; large increases 
in employment; hazardous waste; a change in use, size, capacity, 
purpose or location from an original facility; or is publicly 
controversial, the following is required: Form RD 1940-20, ``Request 
for Environmental Information;'' RUS Form 7, ``Financial and 
Statistical Report;'' and RUS Form 7a, ``Investments, Loan Guarantees, 
and Loans,'' or similar information; and written narrative of project 
description. Applications will be tentatively scored by the State 
Offices and submitted to the National Office for review.
    C. Definition of Terms. The definitions applicable to this Notice 
are published at 7 CFR 4280.3.
    D. Application Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and score 
applications received in response to this Notice based on the 
provisions found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A, and as indicated in 
this Notice. However, the Agency advises all interested parties that 
the applicant bears the burden in preparing and submitting an 
application in response to this Notice whether or not funding is 
appropriated for these programs in FY 2015.

II. Award Information

    Type of Awards: Loans and Grants.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2015.
    Available Funds: Loans: $38.6 million; Grants: $9.2 million.
    Maximum Award: The Agency anticipates the following maximum amounts 
per award: Loans--$1,000,000; Grants--$300,000.
    Application Dates: The last business day of each month to be 
considered for funding in the following month in FY 2015.
    Award Dates: The last business day of the month following the month 
in which application was received. Applications will be received 
monthly.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    Loans and grants may be made to any entity that is identified by 
USDA Rural Development as an eligible borrower under the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (Act). In accordance with 7 CFR 
4280.13, applicants that are not delinquent on any Federal debt or 
otherwise disqualified from participation in these programs are 
eligible to apply. An applicant must be eligible under 7 U.S.C. 940c. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any former Rural Utilities 
Service borrower that has repaid or prepaid an insured, direct or 
guaranteed loan under the Act, or any not-for-profit utility that is 
eligible to receive an insured or direct loan under such Act shall be 
eligible for assistance under section 313(b)(2)(B) of such Act in the 
same manner as a borrower under such Act. All other restrictions in 
this Notice will apply.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

    For loans, either the Ultimate Recipient or the Intermediary must 
provide supplemental funds for the project equal to at least 20 percent 
of the loan to the Intermediary. For grants, the Intermediary must 
establish a Revolving Loan Fund and contribute an amount equal to at 
least 20 percent of the Grant. The supplemental contribution must come 
from Intermediary's funds which may not be from other Federal Grants, 
unless permitted by law.

C. Other Eligibility Requirements

    Applications will only be accepted for projects that promote rural 
economic development and job creation.

D. Completeness Eligibility

    Applications will not be considered for funding if they do not 
provide sufficient information to determine eligibility or are missing 
required elements.

IV. Fiscal Year 2015 Application and Submission Information:

A. Address To Request Application Package

    For further information, entities wishing to apply for assistance 
should contact the Rural Development State Office identified in this 
Notice to obtain copies of the application package.
    Applicants are encouraged to submit grant applications through the 
Grants.gov Web site at: http://www.grants.gov. Grant applications may 
be submitted in either electronic or paper format. Loan applications 
must be submitted via paper to the State Office. Applications may not 
be submitted by electronic mail.
     When you enter the Grants.gov Web site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation. USDA Rural Development 
strongly recommends that you do not wait until the application deadline 
date to begin the application process through Grants.gov. To use 
Grants.gov, applicants must have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number which can be obtained at no cost via a 
toll-free request line at 1-866-705-5711 or at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.
     You may submit all documents electronically through the 
Web site, including all information typically included on the 
application for REDLGs and all necessary assurances and certifications.
     After electronically submitting an application through the 
Web site, the applicant will receive an automatic acknowledgement from 
Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number.
     USDA Rural Development may request that the applicant 
provide original signatures on forms at a later date.
     If applicants experience technical difficulties on the 
closing date and are unable to meet the deadline, you may submit a 
paper copy of your application to your respective Rural Development 
State Office. Paper applications submitted to a Rural Development State 
Office must meet the closing date and local time deadline.
     Please note that applicants must locate the downloadable 
application package for this program by the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance Number or FedGrants Funding Opportunity Number, which can be 
found at http://www.grants.gov.

B. Content and Form of Submission

    An application must contain all of the required elements. Each 
selection priority criterion outlined in 7 CFR 4280.42(b) must be 
addressed in the application. Failure to address any of the criteria 
will result in a zero-point score for that criterion and will impact 
the overall evaluation of the application. Copies of 7 CFR part 4280, 
subpart A, will be provided to any interested applicant making a 
request to a Rural Development State Office. An original copy of the 
application must be filed with the Rural Development State Office for 
the State where the Intermediary is located.

C. Submission Dates and Times

    Application Dates: No later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on the last 
business day of each month to be considered for funding in the 
following month.
    Explanation of Dates: Applications must be in the USDA Rural 
Development State Office by the dates as indicated above.

V. Application Review Information

A. Criteria

    All eligible and complete applications will be evaluated and scored 
based on the selection criteria and weights

[[Page 12797]]

contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. Failure to address any one of 
the criteria by the application deadline will result in the application 
being determined ineligible, and the application will not be considered 
for funding.
    Rural Development is encouraging applications for projects that 
will support rural areas where according to the American Community 
Survey data by census tracts show at least 20 percent of the population 
is living in rural poverty. This emphasis will support Rural 
Development's mission of improving the quality of life for Rural 
Americans and commitment to directing resources to those who most need 
them.

B. Review and Selection Process

    The State Offices will review applications to determine if they are 
eligible for assistance based on requirements contained in 7 CFR part 
4280, subpart A. If determined eligible, your application will be 
submitted to the National Office. Funding of projects is subject to the 
Intermediary's satisfactory submission of the additional items required 
by that subpart and the USDA Rural Development Letter of Conditions.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

    Successful applicants will receive notification for funding from 
the Rural Development State Office. Applicants must comply with all 
applicable statutes and regulations before the loan/grant award can be 
approved. Provided the application and eligibility requirements have 
not changed, an application not selected will be reconsidered in three 
subsequent funding competitions for a total of four competitions. If an 
application is withdrawn, it can be resubmitted and will be evaluated 
as a new application.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Additional requirements that apply to Intermediary's selected for 
this program can be found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. The U.S. 
Department of Agriculture and the Agency are adopting the new U.S. 
Department of Agriculture grant regulation at 2 CFR chapter IV. This 
regulation incorporates the new Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
regulations 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 400.1 to 400.18 for monitoring and 
servicing REDLG funding.

C. Reporting

    In addition to any reports required by 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 400.1 to 
400.18, the Intermediary must provide reports as required by 7 CFR part 
4280, subpart A.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For general questions about this announcement, please contact your 
USDA Rural Development State Office provided in the ADDRESSES section 
of this Notice.

VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
information collection requirement contained in this Notice is approved 
by OMB under OMB Control Number 0570-0024.

IX. National Environmental Policy Act

    This Notice has been reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR part 1940, 
subpart G, ``Environmental Program.'' Rural Development has determined 
that the Environmental Impact Statement is not required because the 
issuance of regulations and instructions, as well as amendments to 
them, describing administrative and financial procedures for 
processing, approving, and implementing the Agency's financial programs 
is categorically excluded in the Agency's National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) regulation found at 7 CFR part 1940.310(e)(3) of Subpart G, 
Environmental Program. Thus, in accordance with the NEPA of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321-4347), Rural Development has determined that this notice 
does not constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the 
quality of the human environment; however, Rural Development will 
conduct individual NEPA analyses on a project-by-project basis whenever 
warranted.

X. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act

    All applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must have a DUNS 
number, which can be obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line 
at 1-866-705-5711 or online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. 
Similarly, all grant applicants must be registered in the System for 
Award Management (SAM) prior to submitting an application. Applicants 
may register for the SAM at http://www.sam.gov. All recipients of 
Federal financial grant assistance are required to report information 
about first-tier sub-awards and executive total compensation in 
accordance with 2 CFR part 170.

XI. Nondiscrimination Statement

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 
against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the 
bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender 
identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, 
marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all 
or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance 
program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any 
program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all 
prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment 
activities.)
    If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of 
discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form 
(PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-
9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of 
the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint 
form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at 
[email protected].
    Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech 
disabilities and wish to file either an EEO or program complaint may 
contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 or 
(800) 845-6136 (in Spanish).
    Persons with disabilities, who wish to file a program complaint, 
please see information above on how to contact us by mail directly or 
by email. If you require alternative means of communication for program 
information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please 
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

    Dated: February 27, 2015.
Lillian E. Salerno,
Administrator, Rural Business--Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-05525 Filed 3-10-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P