[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 12, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56687-56689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21779]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS)

AGENCY: Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information 
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before December 13, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by 
mail to Sydney Milner, Program Analyst, Performance, Research and 
National Technical Assistance Division, Economic Development 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, via email at 
[email protected]. You may also submit comments to [email protected]. 
Please reference OMB Control Number 0610-0093 in the subject line of 
your comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by mail to 
Sydney Milner, Program Analyst, Performance, Research and National 
Technical Assistance Division, Economic Development Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 365-4040, or via email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 56688]]

I. Abstract

    The Economic Development Administration (EDA) leads the Federal 
economic development agenda by promoting innovation and 
competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in 
the worldwide economy. Guided by the basic principle that sustainable 
economic development should be locally-driven, EDA works directly with 
communities and regions to help them build the capacity for economic 
development based on local business conditions and needs. The Public 
Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA) (42 U.S.C. 3121 et 
seq.) is EDA's organic authority and is the primary legal authority 
under which EDA awards financial assistance. Under PWEDA, EDA provides 
financial assistance to both rural and urban distressed communities by 
fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and productivity through 
investments in infrastructure development, capacity building, and 
business development to attract private capital investments and new and 
better jobs to regions experiencing economic distress. Further 
information on EDA programs and financial assistance opportunities can 
be found at www.eda.gov.
    To effectively administer and monitor its economic development 
assistance programs, EDA collects certain information from applications 
for, and recipients of, EDA investment assistance. The purpose of this 
notice is to seek comments from the public and other Federal agencies 
on a request for an extension of an information collection related to a 
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). A CEDS emerges from 
a continuing planning process developed and driven by a public sector 
planning organization by engaging a broad-based and diverse set of 
stakeholders to address the economic problems and potential of a 
region. The CEDS should include information about how and to what 
extent stakeholder input and support was solicited. Information on how 
the planning organization collaborated with its diverse set of 
stakeholders (including the public sector, private interests, non-
profits, educational institutions, and community organizations) in the 
development of the CEDS should be included. In accordance with 13 CFR 
303.7(b), a CEDS must contain a summary background, a SWOT (Strengths, 
Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis, Strategic Direction/
Action Plan, and an Evaluation Framework. In addition, the CEDS must 
incorporate the concept of economic resilience (i.e., the ability to 
avoid, withstand, and recover from economic shifts, natural disasters, 
etc.). A CEDS is required for an eligible applicant to qualify for an 
EDA investment assistance under EDA's Public Works program, Economic 
Adjustment Assistance program, and certain planning programs, and is a 
prerequisite for a region's designation by EDA as an Economic 
Development District (see 13 CFR part 303, 13 CFR 305.2, and 13 CFR 
307.2). EDA collects information under this information collection to 
ensure compliance with EDA's CEDS requirements.
    This information collection is scheduled to expire on November 30, 
2021. EDA is not proposing any changes to the current information 
collection request.

II. Method of Collection

    CEDS are collected primarily through electronic submissions but may 
also be collected through paper submission.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0610-0093.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission; Extension of a currently 
approved collection.
    Affected Public: (1) Cities or other political subdivisions of a 
state, including a special purpose unit of state or local government 
engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities; (2) 
states; (3) institutions of higher education; (4) public or private 
non-profit organizations or associations; (5) District Organizations; 
and (6) Indian Tribes.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 527.
    Estimated Time per Response: 480 hours for the initial CEDS for a 
District organization or other planning organization funded by EDA; 160 
hours for the CEDS revision required at least every 5 years from an 
EDA-funded District or other planning organization; 40 hours per CEDS 
update and performance report; and 40 hours per applicant for EDA 
Public Works or Economic Adjustment Assistance with a project deemed by 
EDA to merit further consideration that is not located in an EDA-funded 
District.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 31,640.

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                                                                                                       Total
               Type of response                    Number of           Hours per response         estimated time
                                                   responses                                          (hours)
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Initial CEDS..................................               3  480 hours/initial CEDS..........           1,440
Revised CEDS..................................              77  160 hours/revised CEDS..........          12,320
CEDS Updates/Performance Reports..............             385  40 hours/report.................          15,400
CEDS by applicants not in EDA-funded District.              62  40 hours........................           2,480
                                               ----------------                                  ---------------
    Total.....................................             527  ................................          31,640
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    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $1,841,131 (cost assumes 
application of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics first quarter 2021 mean 
hourly employer costs for employee compensation for professional and 
related occupations of $58.19).
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: The Public Works and Economic Development Act of 
1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.).

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before

[[Page 56689]]

including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal 
identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your 
entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be 
made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your 
comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public 
review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2021-21779 Filed 10-8-21; 8:45 am]
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