[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 16, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68674-68675]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-24977]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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; Regional Economic Development Data Collection Instrument

AGENCY: Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Information Collection, request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 January 17, 2023).

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by 
mail to Bernadette Grafton, Research and National Technical Assistance 
(RNTA) Coordinator, Performance Research and National Technical 
Assistance Division, U.S. Department of Commerce, at [email protected] 
or to [email protected]. 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 Bernadette Grafton, Research and National Technical Assistance 
(RNTA) Coordinator, Performance Research and National Technical 
Assistance Division, U.S. Department of Commerce, at [email protected] 
or 202-482-2917.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 driven locally, 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, workforce 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 https://eda.gov/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 a new information collection for recipients of awards 
under the EDA American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Build Back Better 
Regional Challenge.
    The proposed information collection will employ an innovative mixed 
methods approach to gather traditional metrics in addition to 
qualitative data on all regions participating in the Build Back Better 
Regional Challenge program. Secondary data will be gathered and 
monitored for each of the regions/awardees. A quarterly questionnaire 
will be sent to each of the BBBRC coalition leads which will gather the 
relevant data and stories for each of the 21 BBBRC coalitions, 
resulting in coalition regional impact evaluation, resources, and tools 
for regional economic development decision-makers.
    This collection will explore several thematic areas for the Build 
Back Better Regional Challenge, where each of the following areas are 
based on survey scope of work themes:
    1. Accelerating innovation in emerging technologies to gain an 
understanding of the long-term impact on economic and social sectors;
    2. Helping workers access information on new job opportunities, job 
placement, and job training and prepare for and be hired into good 
jobs;
    3. Increasing new business growth and entrepreneurial activity 
within the industry sectors;
    4. Building critical infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer 
miles, business and industries to allow for economic development and 
growth; and
    5. Helping businesses adopt new technologies so that they may enter 
new markets, increasing their economic capacity and overall 
sustainability.
    Within each of the categories of questions, organized by thematic 
area noted above, there will be equity-based questions to support 
greater understanding of how equity is being implemented throughout 
regional economic development projects.
    Coalition leads will respond to the appropriate thematic area, 
answering questions related to the following categories:
     Reflections and updates on the coalition implementation 
process and progress;
     The ability to secure additional non-federal investments;
     Detailing the programs, trainings, and curricula 
developed/launched for job training/workforce development;
     Development and growth surrounding infrastructure; and
     Job creation, wage growth, and existing employee growth 
and development
    The collection instrument also includes questions related to the 
overall programmatic experience such Community of Practice support.

II. Method of Collection

    Data will be collected electronically.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: None: new information collection.
    Form Number(s): None: new information collection.
    Type of Review: Regular submission: new information collection.
    Affected Public: Recipients of ARPA Build Back Better Regional 
Challenge awards, which may include a(n): District Organization; Indian 
Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes; State, county, 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; 
Institution of Higher Education or a consortium of institutions of 
higher education; or Public or private non-profit organization or 
association,

[[Page 68675]]

including labor unions, acting in cooperation with officials of a 
political subdivision of a State.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 21 respondents, responding 
quarterly.
    Estimated Time per Response: 2.5 hours/per respondent.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 210 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $12,768 (cost assumes 
application of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics second quarter 2022 mean 
hourly employer costs for employee compensation for professional and 
related occupations of $60.80).
    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 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. 2022-24977 Filed 11-15-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-34-P