# Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Grants and Cooperative Agreements; Availability, etc.: Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community Program; Notice DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A94-18072 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Uncategorized Document - **Published:** July 26, 1994 ## Text SUMMARY: The Secretary proposes a funding priority to provide a competitive preference to projects funded under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that serve communities that have been designated as Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities under section 1391 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended by Title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. This proposed priority is intended to focus resources on the needs of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and their families who live in these communities and who are often underserved. For 1995, the Secretary anticipates using this priority with competitions for Parent Training and Information Centers under the Training Personnel for the Education of Children and Youth with Disabilities program, and Outreach Projects under the Early Education for Children with Disabilities program. DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 25, 1994. ADDRESSES: All comments concerning this proposed priority should be addressed to: Lee Coleman, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Room 4615, Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-2641. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lee Coleman. Telephone: (202) 205- 8166. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for deaf (TDD) may call the TDD number at (202) 205-8170. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program is a critical element of the Administration's community revitalization strategy. The program is a first step in rebuilding communities in America's poverty-stricken inner cities and rural heartlands. It is designed to empower people and communities by inspiring Americans to work together to create jobs and opportunity. Under this program, the Federal Government will designate up to 9 areas as Empowerment Zones and up to 95 areas as Enterprise Communities in accordance with Internal Revenue Code section 1391, as amended by Title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (Pub. L. 103-66). To be eligible for designation, an area must be nominated by one or more local governments and the State or States in which it is located or by a State-Chartered Economic Development Corporation. A nominated area must be one of pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress, and must have a poverty rate of not less than the level specified in section 1392 of the Internal Revenue Code. In the Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program, communities are invited to submit strategic plans that comprehensively address how the community would link economic development with education and training as well as how community development, public safety, human services, and environmental initiatives will together support sustainable communities. Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities will be designated by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) based on the quality of their strategic plans. Designated areas will receive Federal grant funds and substantial tax benefits and will have access to other Federal programs. (For additional information on the Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program, contact HUD at 1-800-998-9999.) The Department of Education is supporting the Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community initiative in a variety of ways. It is encouraging Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities to use funds they already receive from Department of Education programs (including Chapter 1 of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Drug-Free Schools and Community Act, the Adult Education Act, and the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act) to support the comprehensive vision of their strategic plans. In addition, the Department of Education intends to give preferences to Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities in a number of discretionary grant programs that are well-suited for inclusion in a comprehensive approach to economic and community development. In addition to the programs under IDEA, the Department intends to give preferences to Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities in the Rehabilitation Act Projects with Industry program, the Rehabilitation Act Special Demonstration Projects program, the National Workplace Literacy program, the Urban Community Service program, and a variety of discretionary programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The discretionary programs funded under IDEA are well suited to play a role in Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities because of the close relationship between poverty and disabilities. While the risk factors associated with disabilities are highest in low income areas, these areas often serve the lowest numbers of children with disabilities. Under the authority of IDEA, the Department supports a wide range of programs related to providing special education, related, and early intervention services to infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and their families. Coordinated and comprehensive approaches to services, such as those under the Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community program, can be effective tools in addressing the needs of these children. For 1995, the Secretary anticipates using this priority in conjunction with priorities under the following programs: Parent Training and Information Centers (funded under IDEA Part D, Training Personnel for Education for Children and Youth with Disabilities program); and Outreach Projects (funded under IDEA Part C, Early Education for Children with Disabilities program). Parent Training and Information Centers projects provide training and information to parents of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities, and to persons who work with parents to enable parents to participate more fully and effectively with professionals in meeting the educational needs of their children with disabilities. Outreach projects build the capacity of educational and other agencies to adopt and implement proven models and components of models to improve services for children under the age of eight with disabilities and their families The Secretary will announce the final priority in a notice in the Federal Register. The final priority will be determined by responses to this notice, available funds, and other considerations of the Department. Funding of particular projects depends on the availability of funds, the nature of the final priority, and the quality of the applications received. The publication of this proposed priority does not preclude the Secretary from proposing additional priorities, nor does it limit the Secretary to funding only this proposed priority, subject to meeting applicable rulemaking requirements. Note: This notice of proposed priority does not solicit applications. A notice inviting applications under these competitions will be published in the Federal Register concurrent with or following publication of the notice of final priority. Priority: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2) the Secretary proposes to give a competitive preference to applications that are otherwise eligible for funding under appropriate discretionary programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and that meet the following priority. The Secretary may implement this priority for fiscal year 1995 and for any later fiscal year: Providing programs in an Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community. To meet this priority an applicant must: Design a program of special activities focused on the unique needs of an Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community; or, Devote a substantial portion of program resources to providing the services within, or meeting the needs of residents of these zones and communities. The proposed project under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act must contribute to the strategic plan of the Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community and be made an integral component of the Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community activities. Executive Order 12866 Assessment of Costs and Benefits These proposed priorities have been reviewed in accordance with Executive Order 12866. Under the terms of the order the Secretary has assessed the potential costs and benefits of this regulatory action. The potential costs associated with the proposed priorities are those resulting from statutory requirements and those determined by the Secretary to be necessary for administering this program effectively and efficiently. In assessing the potential costs and benefits--both quantitative and qualitative--of these proposed priorities, the Secretary has determined that the benefits of the proposed priorities justify the costs. The Secretary has also determined that this regulatory action does not unduly interfere with State, local, and tribal governments in the exercise of their governmental functions. To assist the Department in complying with the specific requirements of Executive Order 12866, the Secretary invites comment on whether there may be further opportunities to reduce any potential costs or increase potential benefits resulting from these proposed priorities without impeding the effective and efficient administration of the program. INVITATION TO COMMENT: Interested persons are invited to submit comments and recommendations regarding these proposed priorities. All comments submitted in response to this notice will be available for public inspection, during and after the comment period, in Room 3524, 300 C Street, S.W., Washington, D.C., between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday of each week except Federal holidays. APPLICABLE PROGRAM REGULATIONS: 34 CFR Parts 309 and 316. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1423 and 1431. Dated: June 30, 1994. Judith E. Heumann, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. [FR Doc. 94-18072 Filed 7-25-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-U --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A94-18072. Public record. Not legal advice.