[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 16, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32016-32023]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12335]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

[Docket #RBS-21-Business-0012]


Inviting Applications for the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy 
(RISE) Grant Program

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of funding availability.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Rural Business-Cooperative 
Service (Agency) is accepting fiscal year (FY) 2021 applications for 
the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) program. The program 
funding level for FY 2021 is a total of $10 million. The purpose of 
this program is to provide financial assistance to support job 
accelerator partnerships that improve the ability of distressed rural 
and energy communities to create high wage jobs, accelerate the 
formation of new businesses, and help rural communities identify and 
maximize local assets.

DATES: Completed applications must be submitted electronically by no 
later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, August 2, 2021, through Grants.gov, 
to be eligible for grant funding. Please review the Grants.gov website 
at http://grants.gov/applicants/organization_registration.jsp for 
instructions on the process of registering your organization as soon as 
possible to ensure that you are able to meet the electronic application 
deadline. Late applications are not eligible for funding under this 
notice and will not be evaluated.

ADDRESSES: You are encouraged to contact your USDA Rural Development 
State Office well in advance of the application deadline to discuss 
your project and ask any questions about the RISE program or 
application process. Contact information for State Offices can be found 
at http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
    Program guidance as well as an application template may be obtained 
at http://www.rd.usda.gov/RISEgrant-program. To submit an electronic 
application, follow the instructions for the RISE funding announcement 
located at http://www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Will Dodson, Rural Business-
Cooperative Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop-3226, Room 5160-South, Washington, 
DC 20250-3226, (202) 720-1400 or email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Preface

    As outlined in the Initial Report to the President on Empowering 
Workers Through Revitalizing Energy Communities, available at https://netl.doe.gov/IWGInitialReport, the Agency encourages energy communities 
to utilize the RISE program to support workforce development; identify 
and maximize local assets; spur job creation; and connect to regional 
opportunities, networks, and industry clusters.
    To focus investments to areas for the largest opportunity for 
growth in prosperity, the Agency encourages applications that serve the 
smallest communities with the lowest incomes, with an emphasis on areas 
where at least 20 percent of the population is living in poverty, 
according to the American Community Survey data by census tracts.

Overview

    Federal Agency: Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grant 
Program.
    Announcement Type: Initial Notice.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.755
    Date: Application Deadline. Electronic applications must be 
received and accepted by http://www.grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. 
Eastern time, August 2, 2021, or it will not be considered for funding.
    The Application Template provides specific, detailed instructions 
for each item of a complete application. The Agency emphasizes the 
importance of including every item and strongly encourages applicants 
to follow the instructions carefully, using the examples and 
illustrations in the Application Template. Prior to official submission 
of applications, applicants may request technical assistance or other 
application guidance from the Agency, as long as such requests are made 
prior to July 16, 2021. Agency contact information can be found in 
Section D of this document.
    Hemp related projects: Please note that no assistance or funding 
from this grant can be provided to a hemp producer unless they have a 
valid license issued from an approved State, Tribal or Federal plan as 
defined by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018,

[[Page 32017]]

Public Law 115-334. Verification of valid hemp licenses will occur at 
the time of award.
    The Agency will not solicit or consider new scoring or eligibility 
information that is submitted after the application deadline. The 
Agency reserves the right to contact applicants to seek clarification 
on materials contained in the submitted application. See the 
Application Template for a full discussion of each item. For 
requirements of completed grant applications, refer to Section D of 
this document.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
chapter 35), USDA requested that the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) conduct an emergency review of a new information collection that 
contains the Information Collection and Recordkeeping requirements 
contained in this notice by May 28, 2021. In addition to the emergency 
clearance, the regular clearance process is initiated in the regulation 
publication (RIN 0570-AB06), which published in the issue June 15, 2021 
issue of the Federal Register, to provide the public with the 
opportunity to comment under a full comment period. The information 
collection requirement contained in this notice is under the OMB 
Control Number 0570-0075.

A. Program Description

    The RISE program is a new grant program authorized under section 
6424 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334) (2018 
Farm Bill) to help struggling communities by funding job accelerators 
in low-income rural communities. You are required to comply with the 
regulations for this program published at 7 CFR part 4284, subpart L, 
which is adopted by reference in this notice. Therefore, you should 
become familiar with these regulations. The primary objective of the 
RISE program is to support jobs accelerator partnerships to improve the 
ability of distressed rural and energy communities to create high wage 
jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, and help rural 
communities identify and maximize local assets. Grants are awarded on a 
competitive basis. The minimum award per grant is $500,000 and the 
maximum award amount per grant is $2,000,000. Grant funds may be used 
to pay for up to 80 percent of eligible project costs. Grant funds may 
be used to pay for costs directly related to the purchase or 
construction of an innovation center located in a rural area; costs 
directly related to operations of an innovation center including 
purchase of equipment, office supplies, and administrative costs 
including salaries directly related to the project; costs directly 
associated with support programs to be carried out at or in direct 
partnership with job accelerators; reasonable and customary travel 
expenses directly related to job accelerators and at rates in 
compliance with 2 CFR 200.474; utilities, operating expenses of the 
innovation center and job accelerator programs and associated programs; 
and administrative costs of the grantee not exceeding 10% of the grant 
amount for the duration of the project.
Definitions
    The terms you need to understand are defined and published at 7 CFR 
4284.1103. In addition, the terms ``rural'' and ``rural area,'' defined 
at section 343(a)(13) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)), are adopted by reference, and will be used 
for this program. The term ``you'' referenced throughout this notice 
should be understood to mean ``you'' the applicant.

B. Federal Award Information

    Type of Award: Competitive Grant.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2020 and FY 2021.
    Total Funding: $10,000,000.
    Minimum Award: $500,000.
    Maximum Award: $2,000,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: September 15, 2021.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligibility
    Applicants must meet all the following eligibility requirements. 
Applications which fail to meet any of these requirements by the 
application deadline will be deemed ineligible and will not be 
evaluated further.
(1) Applicant Eligibility
    To be considered an eligible applicant, you must be a rural jobs 
accelerator partnership formed on or after December 20, 2018, and meet 
the eligibility criteria found in 7 CFR 4282.1112 to apply for this 
program. The rural jobs accelerator partnership must include one or 
more representatives of the following:
    (a) A state, Tribal or local government;
    (b) A state, Tribal, or local government entity;
    (c) A land-grant college or university or other institution of 
higher education, as defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1001);
    (d) A rural non-profit cooperative; or,
    (e) A private entity, which may include a business in an industry 
cluster, economic development or community development organization, 
financial institution including a community development financial 
institution, philanthropic organization, or labor organization.
(2) Lead Applicant Eligibility
    The rural jobs accelerator partnership must also have a lead 
applicant who is responsible for the administration of the grant 
proceeds and activities. A lead applicant must be one of the following 
entities:
    (a) A district organization;
    (b) An Indian Tribe, or a political subdivision of an Indian Tribe, 
including a special purpose unit of an Indian Tribe, or a consortium of 
Indian Tribes;
    (c) A state or a political subdivision of a state, including a 
special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic 
development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions;
    (d) An institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001) or a consortium of 
institutions of higher education;
    (e) A public or private nonprofit organization.
(3) Additional Eligibility Requirements
    You must also meet the following requirements:
    (a) An applicant is not eligible if they have been debarred or 
suspended or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in 
Federal assistance programs under Executive Order 12549, ``Debarment 
and Suspension.'' The Agency will check the System for Award Management 
(SAM) at the time of application and prior to funding any grant award 
to determine if the applicant has been debarred or suspended. In 
addition, an applicant will be considered ineligible for a grant due to 
an outstanding judgment obtained by the U.S. in a Federal Court (other 
than U.S. Tax Court), is delinquent on the payment of Federal income 
taxes, or is delinquent on Federal debt. See 7 CFR 4284.6. The 
applicant must certify as part of the application that they do not have 
an outstanding judgment against them. The Agency will check the Do Not 
Pay System at the time of application and also prior to funding any 
grant award to verify this information.
    (b) Any corporation that has been convicted of a felony criminal 
violation under any Federal law within the past 24 months or that has 
any unpaid

[[Page 32018]]

Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial 
and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and 
that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with 
the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability, is not 
eligible for financial assistance, unless a Federal agency has 
considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and has made a 
determination that this further action is not necessary to protect the 
interests of the Government.
    (c) Applications will be deemed ineligible if the application 
includes any funding restrictions identified under Section D.6(a) and 
(b) of this notice. Inclusion of funding restrictions outlined in 
Section D.6(a) and (b) of this notice preclude the Agency from making a 
federal award.
    (d) Applications will be deemed ineligible if the application is 
not complete in accordance with the requirements stated in Section C.3.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
    Your matching funds requirement is 20 percent of the total eligible 
project costs of any activity carried out using RISE grant funds. 
Additional information on matching funds is found at 7 CFR 4284.1114. 
When you calculate your matching funds requirement, please round up or 
down to whole dollars as appropriate. To calculate your matching funds 
requirement, multiply your total eligible project costs of each 
eligible activity by 0.20.
    You must provide a written commitment of matching funds to verify 
that all matching funds are available during the grant period and 
provide this documentation with your application in accordance with 
requirements identified in Section D.2.(d)(5)(xii)(A) of this notice. 
If you are awarded a grant, additional verification documentation may 
be required to confirm the availability of matching funds for the 
duration of the grant term.
    Matching funds must meet all of the following requirements:
    (a) They must be spent on eligible expenses during the grant 
period.
    (b) They must be from eligible sources.
    (c) They must be spent in advance or as a pro-rata portion of grant 
funds being spent.
    (d) They must be provided by either the applicant or a third party 
in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution.
    (e) They cannot include other Federal grants unless provided by 
authorizing legislation.
    (f) They cannot include cash or in-kind contributions donated 
outside of the grant period.
    (g) They cannot include over-valued, in-kind contributions.
    (h) They cannot include any project costs that are ineligible under 
the RISE program.
    (i) They cannot include any project costs that are restricted or 
unallowable under 2 CFR part 200, subpart E, and the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation (for-profits) or successor regulation.
    (j) They can include reasonable and customary travel expenses for 
staff delivering the RISE program if you have established written 
policies explaining how these costs are normally reimbursed, including 
rates. You must include an explanation of this policy in your 
application or the contributions will not be considered as eligible 
matching funds.
    (k) You must be able to document and verify the number of hours 
worked and the value associated with any in-kind contribution being 
used to meet a matching funds requirement.
    (l) In-kind contributions provided by individuals, businesses, or 
cooperatives which are being assisted by you cannot be provided for the 
direct benefit of their own projects as the Agency considers this to be 
a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest.
3. Other Eligibility Requirements
(a) Completeness
    Your application will not be considered for funding if it fails to 
meet all eligibility criteria by the application deadline or if it does 
not provide sufficient information to determine eligibility and 
scoring. You must include all the forms and proposal elements as 
discussed in the regulation and as clarified further in this notice in 
one package. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the 
Agency. For more information on what is required for a complete 
application, see 7 CFR 4284.1115.
(b) Purpose Eligibility
    Your application must propose the establishment of an innovation 
center and/or costs directly related to operations of an innovation 
center and/or costs directly associated with support of programs to be 
carried out at or in direct partnership with job accelerators as 
outlined in 7 CFR 4284.1113. The applicant project outcome must 
accelerate the formation of new businesses with high-growth potential, 
improve the ability of rural businesses and distressed rural 
communities to create high-wage jobs, and strengthen rural regional 
economies. You must use project funds, including grant and matching 
funds, for eligible purposes only as outlined in 7 CFR 4284.114.
(c) Project Eligibility
    All project activities must be for the benefit of communities, 
industries and residents located in a rural area, as defined in 7 CFR 
4284.1103. The applicant is cautioned against taking any actions or 
incurring any obligations prior to the Agency completing the 
environmental review that would either limit the range of alternatives 
to be considered or that would have an adverse effect on the 
environment, such as the initiation of construction. If the applicant 
takes any such actions or incurs any such obligations, it could result 
in project ineligibility.
    Projects involving the construction of an innovation center as an 
eligible purpose are subject to the environmental requirements of 7 CFR 
part 1970, local building codes and all Federal, State, and local 
accessibility standards.
(d) Multiple Application Eligibility
    Only one application can be submitted per applicant, who is defined 
as a lead applicant as found in 7 CFR 4282.1112(b). If two applications 
are submitted by the same lead applicant, both applications will be 
determined ineligible for funding.
(e) Grant Period
    Your application must include no more than a four-year grant 
period, or it will not be considered for funding. The grant period 
should begin no earlier than October 1, 2021, and no later than January 
1, 2022. Applications that request funds for a project with a 
performance period ending after January 1, 2026, will not be considered 
for funding. Projects must be completed within a four-year timeframe. 
Prior approval is needed from the Agency if you are awarded a grant and 
desire the grant period to begin earlier or later than previously 
discussed or approved.
    The Agency may approve requests to extend the grant period for up 
to an additional two-year period at its discretion. Further guidance on 
grant period extensions will be provided in the award document.
(f) Satisfactory Progress
    The lead applicant must be performing satisfactorily on any 
outstanding RISE award to be considered eligible for a new award as 
found in 7 CFR 4282.1110(a). Satisfactory performance includes being

[[Page 32019]]

up to date on all financial and performance reports as prescribed in 
the grant award, and current on tasks and timeframes for utilizing 
grant and matching funds as approved in the work plan and budget.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package
    For further information and program materials, you should contact 
the Rural Development National Office at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-innovation-stronger-economy-grants. materials 
may also be obtained at http://www.rd.usda.gov.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
    Applications will be accepted electronically through Grants.gov. 
You are encouraged, but not required to utilize the application 
template found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-innovation-stronger-economy-grants.
(a) Electronic Submission
    An optional-use Agency application template is available online at 
http://www.rd.usda.gov. To apply electronically, you must use the 
Grants.gov website at http://www.Grants.gov. You may not apply 
electronically in any way other than through Grants.gov.
    You can locate the Grants.gov downloadable application package for 
this program by using a keyword, the program name, or the Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program.
    When you enter the Grants.gov website, you will find information 
about applying electronically through the site, as well as the hours of 
operation.
    To use Grants.gov, you must already have a DUNS number and you must 
also be registered and maintain registration in SAM. We strongly 
recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to 
begin the application process through Grants.gov.
    You must submit all your application documents electronically 
through Grants.gov. Applications must include electronic signatures. 
Original signatures may be required if funds are awarded.
    After electronically applying through Grants.gov, you will receive 
an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov 
tracking number.
(b) Supplemental Information
    Your application must contain all the required forms and proposal 
elements described in 7 CFR 4284.1115 and as otherwise clarified in 
this notice. If your application is incomplete, it is ineligible to 
compete for funds. Applications lacking sufficient information to 
determine eligibility and scoring criteria will be considered 
ineligible. Information submitted after the application deadline will 
not be accepted.
(c) Clarifications on Forms
    Your DUNS number should be identified in the ``Organizational 
DUNS'' field on Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal 
Assistance.'' You must also provide your SAM Commercial and Government 
Entity (CAGE) Code and expiration date under the applicant eligibility 
discussion in your proposal narrative. If you do not include the CAGE 
code and expiration date and the DUNS number in your application, it 
will not be considered for funding.
    You can voluntarily fill out and submit the ``Survey on Ensuring 
Equal Opportunity for Applicants,'' as part of your application if you 
are a nonprofit organization.
(d) Clarifications on Proposal Elements
    Applicants may only submit one RISE grant application each Federal 
Fiscal Year. There are no specific limitations on the number of pages 
or other formatting requirements of an application, but a complete 
application should be in a narrative form using a minimum of 11-point 
font and must consist of the following components:
    (1) Rural jobs accelerator partnership information including the 
members and structure of the partnership, the date formalized, and the 
governance or leadership board. The information will identify the lead 
applicant and each partner's ties to the region, their roles in the 
delivery of the RISE program, and any history of previous collaboration 
between partners. The amount and source of anticipated matching funds 
will also be provided.
    (2) Describe the geographic region to be served including the total 
population, economic characteristics of the region such as unemployment 
rates and income levels. Industry sectors, their status, size and 
economic contribution to the region and all communities including 
metropolitan statistical areas and nonmetro low income communities 
within the region should be identified. The availability and planned 
enhancements of broadband service and other assets of the region should 
also be identified. If the region to be served has a population of more 
than 50,000 inhabitants, the applicant must document why they believe 
the area is ``rural in character'' including, but not limited to, the 
area's population density, demographics, and topography and how the 
local economy is tied to a rural economic base.
    (3) Identify the industry cluster(s) that will be prioritized by 
the rural jobs accelerator partnership with information on the firms 
and support industries in those clusters. Describe the status of the 
industry (as emerging, existing, or declining) any existing 
interconnection and networks within the industry cluster and describe 
participation and scale of small and disadvantaged businesses within 
the industry cluster. Describe the opportunities or potential of 
industry growth in the region and competitive advantages of the region 
and industry cluster should be highlighted along with opportunities 
within the industry for the creation of or upgrading to high wage jobs.
    (4) An executive summary, project plan and scope of work must be 
provided with the applicant's strategy, activities, budget, goals and 
objectives for the use of RISE funds. The applicant should also provide 
information on the sustainability of the partnership and jobs 
accelerator at the conclusion of the RISE grant period.
    (5) The lead applicant must be registered in the System for Award 
Management (SAM) and submit a complete application consisting of the 
elements specified in (b)(5)(i) through (b)(5)(xiii), as applicable, of 
this section.
    (i) Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.''
    (ii) Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs,'' if applicable.
    (iii) Form SF-424C, ``Budget Information--Construction Programs,'' 
if applicable.
    (iv) Form SF-424D, ``Assurances--Construction Programs,'' if 
applicable.
    (v) RD Form 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement,'' for 
construction projects only.
    (vi) Identify the ethnicity, race, and gender characteristics of 
the lead applicant's leadership. This information is optional and is 
not a required component for a complete application.
    (vii) Certification that the lead applicant is a legal entity in 
good standing (as applicable) and operating in accordance with the laws 
of the state(s) or Tribe where the applicant exists.

[[Page 32020]]

    (viii) The lead applicant must identify whether or not the lead 
applicant has a known relationship or association with an Agency 
employee. If there is a known relationship, the lead applicant must 
identify each Agency employee with whom the lead applicant has a known 
relationship.
    (ix) Readiness Demonstration, which shall be comprised of the 
following items:
    (A) Description of readiness of all partners of the rural jobs 
accelerator partnership to contribute to the project including their 
ability to coordinate activities, finances, and outcomes of the 
project.
    (B) Evidence of a formal agreement among partners of the rural jobs 
accelerator partnership for delivery of the RISE program.
    (C) Evidence of demonstrated readiness in administering the RISE 
grant, if awarded, including demonstration of potential success in 
establishment of a jobs accelerator project, which targets an industry 
cluster and the initiatives of the RISE grant. The application should 
indicate when activities related to the expected outcomes will 
commence.
    (D) Description of how the project will be marketed in the region 
and how the rural jobs accelerator partnership will capture any program 
impacts and success stories.
    (E) Timeline describing the proposed tasks to be accomplished and 
the schedule for implementation of each task.
    (x) Provide documentation of how the RISE project will impact the 
initiatives below, as applicable, including a brief description of how 
and when the initiative will be delivered.
    (A) Linking rural communities and entrepreneurs to markets, 
networks, industry clusters, and other regional opportunities to 
support high wage job creation, new business formation, business 
expansion, and economic growth;
    (B) Integrating small businesses into a supply chain;
    (C) Creating or expanding commercialization activities for new 
business formation;
    (D) Identifying and building assets in rural communities that are 
crucial to supporting regional economies;
    (E) Facilitating the repatriation of high wage jobs to the United 
States;
    (F) Supporting the deployment of innovative processes, 
technologies, and products;
    (G) Enhancing the capacity of small businesses in regional industry 
clusters, including small and disadvantaged businesses;
    (H) Increasing United States exports and business interaction with 
international buyers and suppliers;
    (I) Developing the skills and expertise of local workforces, 
entrepreneurs, and institutional partners to meet the needs of 
employers and prepare workers for high wage jobs in the identified 
industry clusters, including the upskilling of incumbent workers; and
    (J) Ensuring rural communities have the capacity and ability to 
carry out projects related to housing, community facilities, 
infrastructure, or community and economic development to support 
regional industry cluster growth.
    (xi) Potential to produce high wage jobs and benefit rural small 
and disadvantaged businesses, including a description of the following:
    (A) Describe how the project will develop the skills and expertise 
of the local workforce, entrepreneurs and institutional partners to 
meet the needs of employers and prepare high wage jobs in the targeted 
industry cluster(s), which may also include the upskilling of incumbent 
worker.
    (B) Demonstrate how the project will benefit the skills and 
expertise of small and disadvantaged businesses, as applicable.
    (C) Demonstrate any participation of higher education, applied 
research institutions, workforce development entities and community-
based organizations, that are willing to partner with the project to 
provide workers with skills relevant to the industry cluster needs of 
the region, with an emphasis on the use of on-the-job training, 
classroom occupational training or incumbent worker training, as 
applicable.
    (D) Demonstrate any participating investment organizations, venture 
development organizations, venture capital firms, revolving loan 
funders, angel investment groups, community lenders, community 
development financial institutions, rural business investment 
companies, small business companies (as defined in Section 103 of the 
Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 662)), philanthropic 
organizations, and other institutions focused on expanding access to 
capital, are committed partners in the job accelerator partnership and 
willing to potentially invest in projects emerging from the jobs 
accelerator.
    (xii) Describe the targeted region, including the following 
information:
    (A) Provide the latest Census Bureau information on the targeted 
region's median household income.
    (B) Provide the latest Census Bureau information on the targeted 
region's educational attainment, specifically the percentage of the 
population who hold a bachelor's degree.
    (C) Discuss how any direct career training will be provided to 
existing residents of the region (existing residents being those that 
live in the region at the time of application submission).
    (D) Discuss any local support for the RISE project.
    (E) Discuss the entrepreneurial commitment to the RISE project.
    (F) Discuss any innovative processes and technologies to be 
utilized in the targeted industry cluster(s) of the RISE project.
    (G) Discuss the initial and continuing capital investment in the 
RISE project.
    (H) Discuss any demand for regional and global markets of the 
product and/or service provided by the targeted industry cluster.
    (I) Discuss if the region consists of any areas or communities that 
qualify for federal initiatives.
    (J) Elaborate on the current broadband service within the region 
and any plans to leverage the current broadband service or enhance 
broadband service in the region through the RISE project.
    (xiii) Financial information, including the following:
    (A) Identification of matching funds and other sources of funds for 
the project. Provide written commitments for matching funds and other 
sources of funds at the time the application is submitted.
    (B) Current financial statements and a narrative description 
demonstrating financial feasibility and sustainability of the project, 
all of which demonstrate sufficient resources and expertise to 
undertake and complete the project and how the project will be 
sustained following completion.
    (e) Upon receipt of a complete application, the Agency will 
determine if the applicant and project are eligible and whether the 
intended outcomes described meet the requirements of the RISE program. 
If the application is ineligible or not feasible, the Agency will 
inform the applicant in writing of the reasons for the Agency's 
determination and no further evaluation of the application will occur.
3. Submission Date and Time
    Explanation of Deadline: Completed applications must be submitted 
electronically by no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, August 2, 
2021, through Grants.gov, to be eligible for grant funding. Please 
review the Grants.gov website at http://grants.gov/applicants/organization_registration.jsp for instructions on the process of 
registering your organization as soon as

[[Page 32021]]

possible to ensure that you can meet the electronic application 
deadline. Grants.gov will not accept applications submitted after the 
deadline.
4. Intergovernmental Review of Applications
    Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs,'' does not apply to this program.
5. Funding Restrictions
    (a) Project funds, including grant and matching funds, cannot be 
used for ineligible grant purposes (see 7 CFR 4284.1114(d)), 2 CFR part 
200, subpart E, ``Cost Principles,'' and the most current Federal 
Acquisition Regulation (for-profits) or successor regulations.
    (b) In addition, your application will not be considered for 
funding if it:
    (i) Focuses assistance on only one business; or
    (ii) Requests less than the minimum grant amount or more than the 
maximum grant amount.
6. Other Submission Requirements
    (a) You should not submit your application in more than one format 
or in more than one submission. You must submit your application 
electronically. Note that we cannot accept applications through mail or 
courier delivery, in-person delivery, email, or fax. To submit an 
application electronically, you must follow the instruction for this 
funding announcement at http://www.grants.gov. A password is not 
required to access the website.
    (b) National Environmental Policy Act
    All recipients under this notice are subject to the requirements of 
7 CFR part 1970. However, technical assistance awards under this notice 
are classified as a Categorical Exclusion according to 7 CFR 
1970.53(b), and usually do not require any additional documentation.
    The Agency will review each grant application to determine its 
compliance with 7 CFR part 1970. The applicant may be asked to provide 
additional information or documentation to assist the Agency with this 
determination.
    (c) Civil Rights Compliance Requirements
    All grants made under this notice are subject to Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964 as required by the USDA (7 CFR part 15, 
subpart A) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

E. Application Review Information

    The National Office will review applications to determine if they 
are eligible for assistance based on requirements in 7 CFR part 4284, 
subpart L, this notice, and other applicable Federal regulations. If 
determined eligible, your application will be scored by a panel of USDA 
employees in accordance with the point allocation specified in this 
notice. Applications will be funded in rank order until the funding 
limitation has been reached. Applications that cannot be fully funded 
may be offered partial funding at the Agency's discretion.
1. Scoring Criteria
    Scoring criteria will follow criteria published at 7 CFR 4284.1117. 
The regulatory and statutory criteria are clarified and supplemented 
below.
    The Agency will score each complete and eligible RISE application 
using the criteria specified in paragraphs (a) through (g) of this 
section with a maximum score of 100 points possible. Points will be 
allowed only for factors indicated by well documented, reasonable plans 
which, in the opinion of the Agency, provide assurance that the items 
have a high probability of being accomplished. Points will be awarded 
at the discretion of the Agency to scoring criteria with a minimum and 
maximum number of points available. Applicants that demonstrate the 
experience or ability to deliver the stated criteria will be awarded 
higher points in that criteria.
    (a) Demonstrated readiness. The rural jobs accelerator partnership 
demonstrates readiness in administering the RISE grant successfully and 
shows strong documentation indicating the potential for success in 
establishing a jobs accelerator project which targets an industry 
cluster and the initiative(s) of the RISE grant program. Points are 
awarded on a scale of 0 to 10 with a maximum of 10 points being 
awarded.
    (b) Targeted initiatives. A maximum of 15 points will be awarded 
for this criterion based on meeting the targeted initiatives as stated 
in Sec.  4284.1115(b)(2)(xi) of this part with action narratives 
outlined in the application on how and when the initiatives will be 
delivered. More points will be awarded for reasonable initiatives that 
can be delivered within 12 months of the grant award and for those 
projects leveraging improvements in high-speed broadband service to the 
region.
    (c) Project support. Points will be awarded for the strength of 
local support of the RISE project and entrepreneurial commitment. A 
maximum of 15 points can be awarded for application materials that 
indicate the strength of support for the RISE project. Points will be 
awarded from the partnership's demonstration of its sources of funding, 
personnel and technical resources committed to the project, and a focus 
on the inclusion of institutional partners expanding access to capital 
and willingness to potentially invest in projects emerging from the 
jobs accelerator. Points shall also be awarded for demonstrated 
resources that will sustain the project beyond the term of the RISE 
grant period.
    (d) Targeted region. A maximum of 20 points will be awarded for 
this criterion based on the region's demographics according to the 
latest Census Bureau information. The applicant must provide adequate 
documentation to the latest Census Bureau information to receive 
points.
    (1) If the targeted region has a median household income of:
    (i) 50% or less of state median household income; 5 points will be 
awarded;
    (ii) Over 50% and up to 80% of state median household income; 3 
points will be awarded.
    (2) If the targeted region residents have the educational 
attainment of a bachelor's degree by:
    (i) 10% or less of the population; 5 points will be awarded;
    (ii) Over 10% and up to 30% of the population; 3 points will be 
awarded.
    (3) Existing residents of the targeted region will receive direct 
career training for new employment or upscaling to a high wage job; 5 
points will be awarded.
    (4) If the identified region has fewer than 50,000 residents 
according to the most recent decennial census; 5 points will be 
awarded.
    (e) RISE grant funds requested. A maximum of 10 points will be 
awarded for this criterion if:
    (i) The RISE grant request is for $500,000 to $750,000; 10 points 
will be awarded.
    (ii) The RISE grant request is for over $750,000 and up to 
$1,000,000; 5 points will be awarded.
    (f) Regional impact. Points are awarded on a scale of 0 to 5 points 
for each category, with a total maximum of 20 points being awarded for 
this criterion. To receive points, the applicant must provide 
documentation to warrant strength on the following criteria, with 
points awarded for each:
    (i) Targeted industry(ies) in the region is classified as an 
emerging industry.
    (ii) Applicant demonstrates that the targeted industry(ies) in the 
region hold a competitive advantage or will enhance its competitive 
advantage through the RISE project.
    (iii) Applicant demonstrates that the industry provides significant 
support of regional assets, including broadband, and provides community 
and economic development support within the region.

[[Page 32022]]

    (iv) The RISE project's forecasted outcomes align with RISE 
objectives.
    (v) The RISE project will target support to existing industry(ies), 
whose significance in the region may be stagnant or on the decline but 
can be enhanced through outcomes of the RISE project.
    (g) Administrator points. A maximum of 10 points will be awarded, 
with justification, at the discretion of the Agency Administrator. The 
Administrator may award points to an application by a region comprised 
primarily of distressed communities with high concentrations of 
employment in coal, oil and gas industries, and coal-fired generation 
facilities transitioning away from fossil fueled energy production. A 
list of qualifying communities, which includes both county and zip 
code, can be found at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-innovation-stronger-economy-grants. The Administrator may also award 
points to an application to achieve geographic distribution of RISE 
grant awards across the maximum number of States and diversity of 
industries targeted.
2. Review and Selection Process
    The National Office will review applications to determine if they 
are eligible for assistance based on requirements in 7 CFR part 4284, 
subpart L, this notice, and other applicable Federal regulations. If 
determined eligible, your application will be scored by a panel of USDA 
employees in accordance with the point allocation specified in this 
notice. The Administrator may choose to award up to 10 Administrator 
priority points based on criterion (g) in section E.1. of this notice. 
These points will be added to the cumulative score for a total possible 
score of 100. Applications will be funded in highest ranking order 
until the available funding is exhausted. Applications that cannot be 
fully funded may be offered partial funding at the Agency's discretion. 
If your application is evaluated, but not funded, it will not be 
carried forward into the next competition. Successful applicants must 
comply with requirements identified in Section F, Federal Award 
Administration Information.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices
    If you are selected for funding, you will receive a signed notice 
of Federal award by postal or electronic mail from the State Office 
where your application was submitted, containing instructions and 
requirements necessary to proceed with execution and performance of the 
award. You must comply with all applicable statutes, regulations, and 
notice requirements before the grant award will be funded.
    If you are not selected for funding, you will be notified in 
writing via postal or electronic mail and informed of any review and 
appeal rights. See 7 CFR part 11 for USDA National Appeals Division 
procedures. There will be no available funds for successful appellants 
once all funds available under this notice are awarded and obligated.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for this 
program can be found in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart L; the Grants and 
Agreements regulations of the Department of Agriculture codified in 2 
CFR parts 180, 400, 415, 417, 418, 421; 2 CFR parts 25 and 170; and 48 
CFR 31.2, and successor regulations to these parts.
    In addition, all recipients of Federal financial assistance are 
required to report information about first-tier subawards and executive 
compensation (see 2 CFR part 170). You will be required to have the 
necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the Federal 
Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-282) 
reporting requirements (see 2 CFR 170.200(b), unless you are exempt 
under 2 CFR 170.110(b)).
    The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected 
for awards within this program:
    (a) Execution of an Agency-approved financial assistance agreement; 
and
    (b) Acceptance of a written letter of conditions; and submission of 
the following Agency forms:
    (1) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
    (2) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
    (3) Form RD 400-1 for construction projects.
3. Reporting
    After grant approval and through grant completion, you will be 
required to provide an SF-425, ``Federal Financial Report,'' and a 
performance report on a semiannual basis (due 30 working days after the 
end of the semiannual period) for the first two years, and then 
annually thereafter, with the first report submitted no later than six 
months after receiving a grant under this section The project 
performance reports shall include the following:
    (a) All activities funded with the grant funds.
    (b) Evaluation of progress towards strategic initiatives identified 
in the application for the grant. Discuss any issues which may have 
occurred.
    (c) Measurement of progress using performance measures during the 
project period, which may include the following:
    (1) High wage jobs created;
    (2) High wage jobs retained;
    (3) Private investment leveraged;
    (4) Businesses improved;
    (5) Businesses retained;
    (6) New business formations;
    (7) New products, prototypes and/or services commercialized;
    (8) Improvement of the value of existing products or services under 
development;
    (9) Regional collaboration as measured by the number of 
organizations actively engaged in the industry cluster and/or the 
number of symposia held by the industry cluster, including 
organizations that are not located in the immediate region defined by 
the partnership and/or the number of further cooperative agreements;
    (10) Number of educations and training activities relating to the 
innovation;
    (11) Number of innovative products, services and/or prototypes 
launched;
    (12) Number of jobs relocated from outside of the United States to 
the region;
    (13) Amount and number of new equity investments in industry 
cluster firms;
    (14) Amount and number of new loans to industry cluster firms;
    (15) Dollar increase in exports resulting from the project 
activities;
    (16) Percentage of employees for which training was provided;
    (17) Improvement in sales of participating businesses;
    (18) Improvement in wages paid at participating businesses;
    (19) Improvement in income of participating workers;
    (20) Any measure determined appropriate by the Agency; and
    (21) Broadband development in the targeted region.
    (d) Initiatives and timetable established for the next reporting 
period.
    (e) Any additional information as found in the annual Federal 
Register notice.

G. Agency Contacts

    If you have questions about this notice, please consult the RISE 
program web page at https://www.rd.usda.gov/RISE where program guidance 
as well as application and matching funds templates may be obtained. If 
you want

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to submit an electronic application, follow the instructions for the 
RISE funding announcement located at https://www.grants.gov. You may 
also contact National Office Program Management Division: RISE Program 
Lead, [email protected] or call the main line at 202-720-1400.

H. Nondiscrimination Statement

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its 
Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or 
administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on 
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including 
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 
status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 
deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible 
Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or 
contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. 
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages 
other than English.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA 
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint and 
at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in 
the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a 
copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed 
form or letter to USDA by:
    (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-9410; or
    (2) Email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Mark Brodziski,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-12335 Filed 6-14-21; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P