[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 63 (Monday, April 3, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19607-19608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06800]


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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; Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Data Collection 
Instrument

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 June 2, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
via email to Jacklyn Claxton, Management and Program Analyst, Economic 
Development Administration, Department of Commerce, at [email protected] 
or [email protected]). Please reference Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor 
Recreation Data Collection Instrument 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 Jacklyn Claxton, Management and Program Analyst, Economic 
Development Administration, Department of Commerce, at [email protected] 
or 202-236-8372).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The Economic Development Administration (EDA) leads the Federal

[[Page 19608]]

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 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) Travel, Tourism and 
Outdoor Recreation. This is aligned with ensuring that Federal travel, 
tourism and outdoor recreation investments are evidence-based and data-
driven, and accountable to participants and the public.
    The EDA research grantee will study the effectiveness of the ARPA 
Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Program, which aims to (1) 
expand the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation economy; (2) create 
equitable opportunities for underserved populations; (3) build 
diversified local recreation economies that are resilient to future 
economic shocks and climate change; and (4) foster higher-skilled, 
higher wage job opportunities. To that end, EDA will conduct an 
electronic data collection survey of ARPA Travel, Tourism and Outdoor 
Recreation recipients. A subset of the recipients (30) will be engaged 
in phone interviews to narrow a selection of projects for the 
development of case studies.
    EDA is particularly interested in public comment on how the 
proposed data collection will support the assessment of program 
effectiveness, or if alternative information should be considered.

II. Method of Collection

    Data will be collected electronically and via phone interviews.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: New information collection.
    Form Number(s): None: new information collection.
    Type of Review: Regular submission: new information collection.
    Affected Public: Recipients of ARPA Travel, Tourism and Outdoor 
Recreation awards, which may include (i) District Organization of an 
EDA-designated Economic Development District (EDD); (ii) Indian Tribe 
or a consortium of Indian Tribes; (iii) 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; (iv) 
institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of 
higher education; or (v) public or private non-profit organization or 
association acting in cooperation with officials of a general purpose 
political subdivision of a State.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: A total of 332 respondents for the 
electronic survey and a subset of 30 for the phone interviews.
    Estimated Time per Response: Two hours for the electronic survey 
and 0.75 hours for each phone interview.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 664 hours for the electronic 
survey and 22.5 hours for the phone interviews.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $42,590.46 (cost assumes 
application of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics third quarter 2022 mean 
hourly employer costs for employee compensation for professional and 
related occupations of $62.04).
    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 Under Secretary of 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2023-06800 Filed 3-31-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-34-P