[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 210 (Wednesday, November 1, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74975-74976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24119]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

[Docket No. RHS-23-CF-0023]


Community Facilities Program: Virtual Public Listening Session

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Community Facilities Loan and Grant program (Community 
Facilities) of the Rural Housing Service (RHS or the Agency), a Rural 
Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), is consolidating the existing regulations that govern Community 
Facility direct loans and grants, fire and rescue and other small 
community facilities projects; as well as codifying the Tribal College 
Initiative, and Economic Impact Initiative grant programs that will 
incorporate all the necessary loan and grant making information into 
one streamlined final rule. The result will be an up-to-date 
comprehensive regulation that will be used to administer the programs. 
Community Facilities is hosting a virtual listening session to obtain 
stakeholder input on key proposed areas for changes and/or updates to 
the proposed consolidated Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant 
regulation. This session is open to the public.

DATES: The virtual listening session will be held on November 7, 2023, 
beginning at 2 p.m. (ET).

ADDRESSES: The listening session will convene virtually on the Zoom 
platform. All participants must pre-register. To register please use 
the following link:
     General Session--November 7, 2023, 2 p.m. (ET) https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_uRtst_n4QVuQiSLIGVzglg.
    A confirmation email, including the Zoom link and teleconference 
information for the meeting, will be sent upon receipt of the 
registration.
    The Agency will accept comments regarding the subject matter in the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. Comments will be 
accepted through Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and, in the ``Search'' box, type in the Docket No. 
RHS-23-CF-0023. A link to the Notice will appear. You may submit a 
comment here by selecting the ``Comment'' button or you can access the 
``Docket'' tab, select the ``Notice,'' and go to the ``Browse & Comment 
on Documents'' Tab. Here you may view comments that have been submitted 
as well as submit a comment. To submit a comment, select the 
``comment'' button, complete the required information, and select the 
``Submit Comment'' button at the bottom. Information on using 
Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, 
submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the 
comment period, is available through the site's ``FAQ'' link at the 
bottom. Comments on this information collection must be received by 
December 8, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Surabhi Dabir, Senior Policy Advisor, 
Community Facilities Program, Rural Housing Service, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0781, Telephone: (202) 
568-9315; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Community Facilities offers direct loans and grants to develop or 
improve essential facilities and services in communities across rural 
America. These amenities meet essential needs and help increase the 
competitiveness of rural communities in attracting and retaining 
businesses that provide employment and services for their residents.
    Public bodies, non-profit organizations and federally recognized 
Tribes can use the funds to construct, expand or improve facilities 
that provide health care, education, public safety, and public 
services. Projects can include fire and rescue stations, village and 
town halls, health care clinics, hospitals, adult- and child-care 
centers, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, public 
buildings, schools, libraries, and many other essential community 
facilities. Financing may also cover the costs for land acquisition, 
professional fees, and purchase of equipment when associated with an 
essential community facility. These facilities not only improve the 
basic quality of life but assist in the development and sustainability 
of rural America.

Potential Topics for Comments

    The following questions and discussion items are provided as 
examples of topics stakeholders may wish to provide comment. The 
Community Facilities Program is requesting comment and discussion on 
the following topics:

Barriers To Be Addressed

    1. What challenges or barriers have you encountered that make it 
difficult to access CF loan and grant resources?
    2. What suggestions do you have for Community Facilities to address 
these challenges through regulatory changes?

Application Process

    3. Community Facilities is contemplating allowing projects below a 
certain threshold to submit a simplified application with less required 
documentation. What key requirements would you simplify?

Expanded Eligibility

    4. Community Facilities has historically limited investments in 
recreation type projects. Community Facilities is considering expanding 
eligibility to certain recreation facilities like hiking/biking trails 
and public pools. Do you have suggestions for what recreation 
facilities should and should not be funded?
    5. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) gave 
Community Facilities the authority to refinance certain hospital debt 
to preserve a rural community's access to health services. What 
suggestions do you have for how Community Facilities should implement 
the hospital refinancing provision?
    6. Community Facilities is contemplating expanding eligibility for 
funding housing projects to meet the essential workforce needs of the 
education, health care, and public safety sectors. What types of 
housing projects should Community Facilities fund? What types of 
facilities should be allowed to use Agency funding to finance housing 
projects for a facility's workforce needs? What factors or limitations 
should Community Facilities consider?

Miscellaneous

    7. Any other key topics or issues Community Facilities should 
consider addressing through the regulation update?
    Community Facilities is consolidating its existing regulations at 7 
CFR part 3570, subpart B (for grants), and 7 CFR part 1942, subparts A 
(for CF direct loans) and C (for Fire and Rescue and Other Small 
Community Facilities Projects), and incorporating all the necessary 
loan and grant making requirements into one streamlined rule; 7 CFR 
part 3570, subpart A. This consolidation will update its regulations 
and codify policies to current practices. It will also codify the 
Tribal College Initiative and Economic Impact Initiative grant 
programs. Community Facilities is seeking stakeholder input on key 
proposed areas for changes and updates to the consolidated Community 
Facilities Direct Loan and Grant

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regulation. In addition to participating in the listening sessions, 
stakeholders may provide written comments to the agency until December 
8, 2023.
    After the listening session, the Agency will consider stakeholder 
input for identifying opportunities for regulatory updates to policies 
and practices of Community Facilities' direct loan and grant programs.

Joaquin Altoro,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-24119 Filed 10-31-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P