Economic Development Assistance ProgramsAvailability of Funds

SUMMARY: The Economic Development Administration (EDA) announces its

policies and application procedures for funds available in fiscal year

1995, as described in Public Law 103-317, Departments of Commerce,

Justice, State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations, to

support projects designed to alleviate conditions of substantial and

persistent unemployment and underemployment in economically-distressed

areas and regions of the Nation and to address economic dislocations

resulting from sudden, severe job losses. The purpose of this

announcement is to communicate to potential applicants for EDA funds

the policies and procedures that will be used to administer the

Agency's programs during fiscal year 1995.

DATES: This announcement is effective for applications considered for

fiscal year 1995. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and

will be processed as funds are available. Normally, two months are

required for a final decision after the receipt of a completed

application that meets all EDA requirements.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties should contact the EDA office in their

area (see Section XII).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: See information at the end of each

program section and Section XII for the EDA regional office and

Economic Development Representative for the area.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Policies

EDA encourages certain types of project applications such as those

proposals having the greatest potential to benefit areas experiencing

or threatened with substantial economic distress. EDA is particularly

interested in projects located in authorized and designated enterprise

zones. Distress may exist in a variety of forms, including high levels

of unemployment, low income levels, large concentrations of low income

families, significant decline in per capita employment, substantial

loss of population because of the lack of employment opportunities,

large numbers (or high rates) of business failures, sudden major

layoffs or plant closures, and reduced tax bases.

Potential applicants are responsible for demonstrating to EDA,

through the provision of statistics and other appropriate information,

the nature and level of the distress their efforts are intended to

alleviate. In the absence of evidence of high levels of distress, EDA

funding is unlikely. In considering proposals to benefit severely

distressed areas, EDA will give consideration to those that address the

needs of both rural and urban communities, particularly aid that is

directed toward the economic diversification of such areas.

During FY 1995, EDA will place a special emphasis on assisting

projects that focus on: (1) Exports; (2) entrepreneurship; (3)

telecommunications; and (4) technology initiatives including

innovation, staying competitive in high value markets (well paying

quality jobs), transfer, and commercialization, to alleviate conditions

of substantial and persistent unemployment and underemployment in

economically-distressed areas and regions, through the provision of

grants for Public Works and Development Facilities, Technical

Assistance, Economic Development Planning, Research and Evaluation, and

Economic Adjustment Assistance.

EDA recognizes that small communities experience impediments to

economic development other than the traditional inadequacies of

existing water, sewer and roadway systems; therefore, in fiscal year

1995, EDA will give consideration to projects that will assist an area

to overcome a special development or infrastructure problem that is

preventing employment growth and economic development from taking

place. Such projects may involve, but are not limited to, activities

designed to enhance the expansion of the service sector of the economy

when that sector is deemed more growth oriented than the traditional

industrial sector, or innovative projects designed for the development

of publicly-owned telecommunications infrastructure when it can be

demonstrated that such a project is needed to foster productivity or

enhance economic growth within an EDA-eligible area. Such proposals

must be appropriately scaled and provide substantial and direct benefit

to the local economy or otherwise enhance the economic prosperity of

the area. EDA will consider providing assistance to demonstration type

projects that are especially creative from an economic development

standpoint and that leverage a substantial amount of nonfederal

resources.

Eligible applicants that can demonstrate substantial local support

for proposed projects have a better chance to receive EDA assistance.

Proposals that do not provide evidence of strong support from the

governmental entities in which the proposed project is located are less

likely to receive EDA assistance. Support can be demonstrated by the

commitment of funds necessary to finance all or part of the nonfederal

share.

EDA expects those responsible for developing and managing projects

to maximize the impact of the public funds by implementing projects as

thoroughly and expeditiously as possible. In the case of projects

involving construction, EDA expects construction to be initiated and

completed in a timely manner. Applicants are expected to anticipate

predictable delays such as those caused by normal weather conditions,

permits and approvals, legal complications, community disputes, land

acquisition, etc., and account for them in developing project

schedules. Projects which by their nature are likely to encounter

significant delays are less likely to be considered for funding.

Projects that experience unreasonable delays following EDA approval may

be terminated and the funds deobligated. These policies are consistent

with EDA's objective of supporting activities that can begin to benefit

local economies as soon as possible, thereby meeting the pressing

development needs identified by project applicants.

Generally, EDA funding will not be used directly or indirectly to

assist employers who transfer one or more jobs from one commuting area

to another. EDA nonrelocation requirements (13 CFR 309.3) apply to all

grants involving construction, rehabilitation or repair of real estate

under Titles I, IV, IX, and Section 301(f) of the Public Works and

Economic Development Act of 1965 (Pub. L. 89-136, 42 U.S.C. 3121-

3246h), as amended and grants under Title IX for any purpose (including

Revolving Loan Funds).

No award of Federal funds will be made to an applicant who has an

outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either:

1. The delinquent account is paid in full;

2. A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one

payment is received, or

3. Other arrangements satisfactory to DoC are made. [[Page 13867]]

Applicants may be subject to a pre-award accounting system survey

by the Department of Commerce's Office of Inspector General, and fund

recipients may be subject to audits or other inspections by the same

office.

Applicants eligible for additional grant assistance because of

membership in an economic development district must be active

participants in the district's economic development planning process.

EDA will evaluate applications for conformance with published

statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements. Applications proposed

for funding under these programs are subject to the requirements of

Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal

Programs.''

EDA will not approve projects that involve actual or potential

conflict-of-interest situations. If EDA identifies or suspects a

possible conflict-of-interest situation, or an appearance of such,

application processing and/or the grant award may be suspended and the

burden will be on the applicant/grantee to take appropriate steps to

eliminate the perception or actual conflict of interest before the

application processing or award is resumed.

Recipients must agree that no funds made available by EDA will be

used, directly or indirectly, for paying attorneys' or consultants'

fees in connection with securing awards made by the Government, such as

preparation of the application. However, attorneys' and consultants'

fees incurred for meeting award requirements, such as conducting a

title search or preparing plans and specifications, may be eligible

project costs and may be paid out of funds made available by EDA, if

such costs are otherwise eligible.

The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an

application under any EDA programs must not exceed the indirect cost

rate negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the

proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent of the total

proposed direct costs dollar amount in the application, whichever is

less.

Primary Applicant Certification--All primary applicants must submit

a completed Form CD-511, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment,

Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace

Requirements and Lobbying,'' and the following explanations are hereby

provided:

a. Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension--Prospective

participants (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, Section 105) are subject to

15 CFR Part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the

related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;

b. Drug-Free Workplace--Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26,

Section 605) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, Subpart F, ``Governmentwide

Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section

of the certification form prescribed above applies;

c. Anti-Lobbying--Persons (as defined at 15 CFR Part 28, Section

105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352,

``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal

contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of

the certification form which applies to applications/bids for grants,

cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than $100,000, and loans

and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the single family

maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever is greater; and

d. Anti-Lobbying Disclosures--Any applicant that has paid or will

pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of

Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR Part 28, Appendix B.

Recipients shall require applicants/bidders for subgrants,

contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier covered transactions at

any tier under the award to submit, if applicable, a completed Form CD-

512, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility

and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying''

and disclosure form, SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.''

Form CD-512 is intended for the use of recipients and should not be

transmitted to the Department. SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient

or subrecipient should be submitted to DoC in accordance with the

instructions contained in the award document.

Buy American-Made Equipment or Products--Applicants are hereby

notified that they will be encouraged, to the greatest extent

practicable to purchase American-made equipment and products with

funding provided under these programs in accordance with Congressional

intent as set forth in the resolution contained in Public Law 103-317,

Sections 607 (a) and (b).

The implementing regulations of the National Environmental Policy

Act (NEPA) require EDA to provide public notice of the availability of

project specific environmental documents such as environmental impact

statements, environmental assessments, findings of no significant

impact, records of decision etc., to the affected public as specified

in 40 CFR 1506.6(b).

Depending on the project location, environmental information

concerning specific projects can be obtained from the Regional

Environmental Officer (REO) in the appropriate EDA regional office

listed in Section XII or from Dr. Frank Monteferrante, Environmental

Branch, Compliance Review Division, EDA, U.S. Department of Commerce,

Washington, DC 20230, (202) 482-4208.

Applicants should be aware that a false statement on the

application is grounds for denial of the application or termination of

the grant award and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or

imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 42 U.S.C. 3220.

All nonprofit and for-profit applicants are subject to a name check

review process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key

individuals associated with the applicant have been convicted of, or

are presently facing, criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury,

or other matters which significantly reflect on the applicant's

management, honesty or financial integrity.

Application Procedures

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis. Processing time

for applications will depend upon the completeness of the information

and supporting documents provided in the application at the time of

submission. Applications that require additional information from

applicants or other sources will not be processed further pending

correction of deficiencies, and the official application receipt dates

will be adjusted accordingly. Normally, two months are required for a

final decision after the receipt of a completed application that meets

all EDA requirements. Please see the specific program sections of this

Notice for appropriate preapplication and application procedures.

Proponents should contact the appropriate EDR (see Section XII) to

obtain the necessary application forms.

An invitation to submit an application does not assure EDA funding.

Factors that will be considered in selecting proposals include if and

to what extent the project meets the evaluation criteria and ``General

Policies'' described above.

Project applications invited but not funded or denied in any fiscal

year remain eligible for funding consideration in the next fiscal year.

Applications invited and received prior to the date of this Notice will

be processed and evaluated in accordance with the project evaluation

and selection criteria published for FY 1994 and current legal

requirements. Those applications invited on or after the date of this

Notice must be consistent with [[Page 13868]] this Notice. Applicants

whose projects were invited but not submitted to EDA in FY 1994 should

contact the appropriate EDA regional office regarding the forms to be

used for FY 1995.

Selection Procedures

Generally, preapplications are reviewed by the Economic Development

Representative, the Project Review Committee and then the Regional

Director. Based on the evaluation criteria, general policies and

availability of funds, final funding decisions on all applications

under Titles I and IX and Title III, Local Technical Assistance and

Planning, are made by the Regional Directors subject to such conditions

as the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development may prescribe. All

other funding decisions are made by the Assistant Secretary for

Economic Development.

Recipients and subrecipients are subject to all Federal laws and

Federal and DoC policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to

Federal financial assistance awards.

Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may result in

an application not being considered for funding.

If an application is selected for funding, EDA has no obligation to

provide any additional future funding in connection with an award.

Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of

performance is at the total discretion of EDA.

Applicants should be aware that if they incur any costs prior to an

award being made they do so solely at their own risk of not being

reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal or written

assurance that may have been received, there is no obligation on the

part of EDA to cover pre-award costs.

The following material describes other requirements, policies and

procedures associated with each of EDA's programs.

II. Program: Public Works and Development Facilities Assistance

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.300 Economic Development

Grants and Loans for Public Works and Development Facilities. 11.304

Economic Development Public Works Impact Program (PWIP)) 13 CFR Part

305

Authority

Funds available under the Public Works and Development Facilities

Program are used to finance projects that contribute to the economic

development of distressed areas. This program is authorized by Titles I

and IV of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as

amended (PWEDA), 42 U.S.C. 3131 and 42 U.S.C. 3171(a)(3).

Eligibility

Eligible applicants under this program include any state, or

political subdivision thereof, Indian tribe, the Federated States of

Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Commonwealth of

Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or private or public

nonprofit organization or association representing any redevelopment

area or part thereof, provided such project is located within an

eligible EDA area that is represented by the nonprofit organization or

association.

Eligible areas, other than those designated under the Public Works

Impact Program, must have a current EDA-approved Overall Economic

Development Program (OEDP). Political entities claiming eligibility

under OEDPs developed by multicounty economic development organizations

are expected to continue to participate actively in the organization.

Further information on eligibility is available from EDA's regional

offices. Nonprofit applicants are urged to seek the cooperation and

support of units of local government and, when deemed appropriate by

EDA, to have the local government serve as co-applicant for EDA

assistance. This ensures the financial stability and continuity of the

project, in the event that the nonprofit entity finds itself in a

position of not having the financial resources to properly and

efficiently administer, operate, and maintain the EDA-assisted facility

consistent with the provisions of 13 CFR 314-Property Management

Standards.

Program Objective

The purpose of the Public Works Program is to assist communities

with the funding of public works and development facilities that

contribute to the creation or retention of private sector jobs and to

the alleviation of unemployment and underemployment. Such assistance is

designed to help communities achieve lasting improvement by stabilizing

and diversifying local economies, and improving local living conditions

and the economic development of the area. The alleviation of

unemployment and underemployment among residents of the project area is

a primary focus of this program.

Funding Availability

Funds in the amount of $195 million are available for this program.

Grants awarded under this program generally range between $100,000 and

$1.5 million.

Funding Instrument

EDA may provide direct grants not to exceed 50 percent of the

estimated cost of the project. However, under certain circumstances

supplementary grants to augment the direct grant may be provided up to

a maximum of 80 percent of the eligible project costs. Supplementary

grant assistance to finance over 50 percent of the project costs will

be approved by EDA only for proposals in areas of high distress.

Decisions on such supplementary grant assistance will be based on the

nature of the project, the amount of fair user charges or other

revenues the project may reasonably be expected to generate, and the

relative needs of the area (see 13 CFR 305.5). But in no event will the

Federal participation exceed 80 percent of the aggregate cost of any

such project, except as authorized by section 101(c) of PWEDA of 1965,

as amended, which permits EDA to waive the nonfederal share under

certain conditions. Applicants are required to provide the local share

from acceptable sources including, but not limited to cash, local

government general obligation or revenue bonds, Community Development

Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement funds or balance of state awards,

Farmers Home Administration loans, and other public and private

financing, including donations.

The local share need not be in hand at the time of application,

however, the applicant must assure EDA that the funds will be available

to provide the nonfederal share of the project. The local share must

not be encumbered in any way that would preclude its use consistent

with the requirements of the grant.

Project Duration

Projects are expected to be completed in a timely manner consistent

with the nature of the project. Normally, the maximum period for any

financial assistance that is provided shall be not more than five (5)

years from date of award.

Evaluation Criteria

For both regular public works projects and Public Works Impact

Program (PWIP) projects, priority consideration will be given to those

which are the most competitive based upon the project evaluation

criteria set forth below, that best meet the needs of eligible areas,

[[Page 13869]] and that are located in areas of substantial economic

distress. Evaluation criteria will not be assigned weights. Projects

will be evaluated on the basis of the elements listed below to meet the

goals described above.

A. Public Works Projects

Factors that will be taken into account in considering projects

eligible under section 101(a)(1)(A)--(C) of PWEDA, 42 U.S.C.

3131(a)(1)(A)--(C), include if and to what extent the project:

1. Improves opportunities for the successful establishment or

expansion of industrial or commercial facilities in the area where such

project will be located.

2. Is consistent with the EDA approved Overall Economic Development

Program (OEDP) for the area in which it is, or will be, located, and

has broad community support.

3. Assists in creating or retaining private sector jobs in the near

term and assists in the creation of additional long-term employment

opportunities, provided the jobs are not transferred from any other

area of the United States, and will result in a low cost-per-job in

relation to total EDA cost.

4. Benefits the long-term unemployed and members of low-income

families who are residents of the area to be served by the project.

5. Fulfills a pressing need of the area, or part thereof, in which

it will be located.

6. Is supported by significant private sector investment.

7. Has evidence of adequate local share of funds.

8. Supports developments taking place in designated empowerment

zones/enterprise communities.

9. Demonstrates that necessary permits, land acquisitions, or

options on land and rights-of-way have been or will be obtained and

that all other legal requirements of the application process have been

satisfied.

10. Maximizes the amount of local, state or other Federal funding

that is available.

11. Gives evidence of the ability to begin and complete

construction in a timely manner in accordance with a schedule to be

agreed upon by EDA and the applicant and included in the grant award.

EDA discourages the start of construction prior to grant award and

cautions that financial hardship may be experienced by applicants whose

projects are not approved. EDA will require all applicants that request

approval to proceed with construction prior to grant award to

acknowledge that they are proceeding at their own risk and without

recourse to EDA if the grant is not awarded or EDA requirements are not

met. EDA also requires that compliance with environmental regulations

be completed before construction begins. EDA's regional office must

have time to complete its ``Finding of No Significant Impact,'' and

clearances must be obtained from appropriate state and Federal

agencies. Furthermore, EDA may view the start of construction prior to

grant award as an indication that the grant funds are not essential for

the successful implementation of the project.

12. If located in an Economic Development Center (i.e., Growth

Center) that has a stable economy with little distress, includes an

employment plan that explains how new employment opportunities for

residents of nearby highly distressed redevelopment areas will be

provided.

B. Public Works Impact Program

Factors that will be considered in the evaluation of projects under

the Public Works Impact Program (PWIP) authorized by section

101(a)(1)(D) of PWEDA, 42 U.S.C. 3131(a)(1)(D), include if and to what

extent the project:

1. Directly assists in creating immediate useful work (i.e.,

construction jobs) for the unemployed and underemployed residents in

the project area;

2. Improves the economic or community environment in areas of

severe economic distress;

3. Includes a specific plan (i.e., PWIP Employment Strategy) for

hiring the unemployed and underemployed persons from the project area

to work on the construction of the project; EDA will evaluate all plans

to ensure that they contain a logical explanation of how the employment

objectives will be met;

4. Assists in providing long-term employment opportunities or other

economic benefits for the unemployed and underemployed in the project

area;

5. Primarily benefits low-income families by providing essential

community services, or satisfying a pressing public need;

6. In addition to the requirement for regular public works

projects, as contained in paragraph A 11., can begin construction

quickly (normally within 120 days after acceptance of the grant by the

applicant);

7. Has significant labor intensity, where labor intensity is the

proportion of labor costs to the total project costs.

C. Industrial Park Projects

Projects that will primarily serve an industrial park or site may

be evaluated on such additional factors as:

1. A detailed analysis of existing industrial park capacity and

utilization; occupancy rates for existing developed industrial parks

currently available within a 25-mile radius of the project site. For

cities with populations over 50,000, the prescribed area may be

determined by an analysis of industrial sites within an established

industrial area, which may be less than a 25-mile radius. Contact the

economic development representative (EDR) for the area or the

appropriate EDA regional office for guidance.

2. Commitments in writing from identified tenants to expand

existing operations or to locate in the industrial park or site.

Commitments should include a description of the industry, the number of

jobs created or saved, an implementation schedule, and the relationship

of the commitment to the requested grant assistance.

3. The existence of a documented marketing strategy and

demonstrated financial ability to market space in the industrial park

or site. Strong emphasis will be placed upon this evaluation criterion.

Construction Project Implementation

As indicated in the first section of this Notice, EDA expects

construction projects to be initiated and completed in a timely manner

and in accordance with the schedule agreed upon in the grant

documentation.

Under most circumstances, EDA will not provide additional funds to

finance cost overruns that occur during project implementation.

Proposal Submission Procedures

To establish the merits of project proposals, interested parties

should first contact the economic development representative (EDR) for

the area (see listing in Section XII). The economic development

representative for the area will provide a preapplication form (ED-

101P, OMB Control No. 0610-0011) and arrange for conferences to discuss

the proposal. EDA will evaluate proposals before inviting the

submission of an application. As previously mentioned, an invitation to

submit an application does not assure EDA funding. Proposals will be

evaluated based upon:

1. Conformance with the evaluation criteria mentioned above;

2. Merits of the proposal in addressing the economic development

needs of the eligible area; and

3. The availability of program funds.

Processing time for project proposals depends upon the completeness

of information and supporting documents provided in the preapplication

form at the time of submission. Project [[Page 13870]] proposals that

require additional information from applicants or other sources will

not be processed further until deficiencies are corrected.

Application Procedures

Following a review of project proposals, EDA will invite entities

whose projects are selected for consideration to submit applications

within 30 days after receipt of an invitation letter. The application

will include a form ED-101A, as approved by the Office of Management

and Budget Control No. 0610-0011. The demand for public works

assistance is expected to exceed available funding. The processing of

applications that cannot be recommended for approval within 60 days of

receipt in a regional office because of unresolved issues will be

suspended. Such applications may be reconsidered at a future date, but

must compete with other applications for the funds available at that

time.

Further Information

For further information contact the appropriate EDA regional office

or economic development representative for your area (see Section XII

of this Notice).

III. Program: Local Technical Assistance

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.303 Economic

Development-Technical Assistance) 13 CFR Part 307, Subpart A

Authority

Funds under the Local Technical Assistance Program are awarded to

eligible applicants to provide assistance intended to assure the

successful initiation and implementation of area, state, and regional

development efforts designed to alleviate economic distress. This

program is authorized under Section 301(a) of the Public Works and

Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 3151(a).

Eligibility

Eligible applicants for Local Technical Assistance grants or

cooperative agreements include public or private nonprofit national,

state, area, district, or local organizations; public and private

colleges and universities; Indian tribes, local governments, and state

agencies. In certain circumstances, applications may be considered from

other applicants such as private individuals, partnerships, firms, and

corporations.

Program Objective

The Local Technical Assistance Program is designed to help

alleviate or prevent conditions of excessive unemployment or

underemployment and problems of economically distressed populations in

rural and urban areas.

Funding Availability

Funds in the amount of $1.5 million are available for the Local

Technical Assistance Program. It is expected that these funds will be

made available for projects serving specific local or substate areas

and also for projects whose impacts will affect multistate areas within

EDA regional office boundaries. Individual award amounts have averaged

$25,000 in recent years.

Funding Instrument

EDA will provide grants and cooperative agreements not to exceed 75

percent of the proposed project costs. Applicants are expected to

provide the remaining share, preferably in cash. The Assistant

Secretary may waive all or part of the 25 percent share of technical

assistance grants, if he/she determines that the nonfederal share is

not reasonably available because of the critical nature of the

situation requiring technical assistance or for other good cause.

Project Duration

Assistance will be for the period of time required to complete the

scope of the work. This typically does not exceed twelve months.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation criteria will not be assigned weights. Projects will be

evaluated on the basis of the elements listed below in order to meet

the goals described above. Evaluation criteria include whether the

local Technical Assistance proposal:

1. Produces strong evidence that the proposed project will lead to

the near-term (between one and five years) generation or retention of

private sector jobs.

2. Does not depend upon further EDA or other Federal funding

assistance to achieve results.

3. Strengthens the capability of state and local organizations and

institutions, including nonprofit development groups, to undertake and

promote effective economic development programs targeted to people and

areas of distress.

4. Stimulates significant private and nonfederal public investment

for economic development purposes, including funds from commercial

lenders, public and private pension funds and other nontraditional

sources.

5. Benefits severely distressed areas, both rural and urban

counties and communities.

6. Diversifies distressed rural and urban economies by means of

empowerment zones, enterprise communities and other strategies.

7. Demonstrates innovative approaches to stimulating economic

development in depressed areas. EDA is particularly interested in

receiving innovative proposals in the following areas:

a. Export development used as an economic development strategy;

b. Assistance to business in uses of technology; and

c. Sustainable development.

8. Is consistent with the EDA approved Overall Economic Development

Program (OEDP) for the area in which the project is located and has

been recommended by the OEDP Committee (if appropriate to the nature of

the project).

9. Presents an appropriate and clear project design.

10. Is proposed by organization or individual(s) with the capacity,

qualifications and staff necessary to undertake the intended

activities.

11. Presents a reasonable, itemized budget for the proposed

activities.

12. Involves a significant (preferably cash) contribution in excess

of minimum required from applicant or other nonfederal sources.

Pre-Application Procedures

Parties seeking support for Local Technical Assistance projects

should contact the economic development representative (EDR) for the

area to discuss their proposal. (See EDR listing in Section XII of this

announcement.)

EDA will evaluate all proposals as they are received and invite

applications for those which best satisfy the evaluation criteria. An

invitation does not, however, assure EDA funding.

Potential applicants should submit one original and two copies of a

brief and concise proposal, not to exceed 20 pages. Vita and capability

information may be appended.

Proposal Submission Procedures

Potential applicants must submit to the appropriate EDR proposals

that include:

1. A cover page giving a short descriptive project title, the name

and address of the applicant organization, the name and telephone

number of the project director, the project duration, total project

cost, the amount of EDA funds requested, and the program (Local

Technical Assistance) from which EDA funds are being requested;

[[Page 13871]]

2. A brief section indicating why the project is needed, giving its

objectives, and providing a capsule description of the project;

3. A more detailed description of the project and its methodology;

4. A work plan showing different phases of the project and their

timing;

5. A detailed budget, not to exceed one page, showing cost

breakdowns, with EDA-funded and non-EDA-funded costs presented in

separate columns and with the EDA-funded costs adding to the total

shown on the cover page;

6. Resumes for the project director and principal staff; and

7. A corporate or institutional capability statement, where

appropriate.

Parties seeking support for projects where impacts will cross EDA

regional boundaries should submit proposals to the Director, Technical

Assistance and Research Division, Economic Development Administration,

Room 7315, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.

Individuals or organizations located outside the Washington, DC,

metropolitan area should submit a copy of the letter transmitting their

proposal to Washington, and to the EDR for the area in which they are

located.

Application Procedures

The appropriate EDA regional office will invite entities whose

proposals for Local Technical Assistance projects are selected for

further consideration to submit application packages. The application

will include a Standard Form-424 (OMB Control No. 0348-0043).

Eligibility for Specific Solicitations

EDA may, during the course of the year, identify specific economic

development technical assistance activities it wishes to have

conducted. Organizations and individuals interested in being invited to

respond to Solicitations of Applications (SOAs) to conduct such work

should submit information on their capabilities and experience to the

Director, Technical Assistance and Research Division, Economic

Development Administration, Room 7315, U.S. Department of Commerce,

Washington, DC 20230.

Further Information

For further information about Local Technical Assistance projects

contact the appropriate EDR. (See EDR listing in Section XII of this

announcement.) For further information about submitting projects whose

impact will cross EDA regional office boundaries, contact the National

Technical Assistance Coordinator, telephone (202) 482-2127.

IV. Program: National Technical Assistance

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.303 Economic

Development-Technical Assistance) 13 CFR Part 307, Subpart A

Authority

Funds under the National Technical Assistance Program are awarded

to eligible applicants who will offer assistance to local, regional and

state organizations, and/or conduct demonstrations of and disseminate

information about innovative development techniques designed to

alleviate economic distress. This program is authorized under Section

301(a) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as

amended, 42 U.S.C. 3151(a).

Eligibility

Eligible applicants for National Technical Assistance grants or

cooperative agreements include public or private nonprofit national,

state, area, district, or local organizations; public and private

colleges and universities; Indian tribes, local governments, and state

agencies. In certain circumstances, applications may be considered from

other eligible applicants such as private individuals, partnerships,

firms, and corporations.

Program Objective

The National Technical Assistance Program is designed to help

alleviate or prevent conditions of excessive unemployment or

underemployment and to address problems of economically distressed

populations.

Funding Availability

Funds in the amount of $1.85 million are available for the National

Technical Assistance Program. Individual award amounts may vary and

generally will not exceed $200,000.

Funding Instrument

EDA will provide grants not to exceed 75 percent of proposed

project costs. Applicants are expected to provide the remaining share.

In cases where EDA issues a Solicitation of Applications, an

applicant's share may not be required. The Assistant Secretary may

waive all or part of the 25 percent nonfederal share of technical

assistance grants, if he/she determines that the nonfederal share is

not reasonably available because of the critical nature of the

situation requiring technical assistance or for other good cause.

Project Duration

Assistance will be for the period of time required to complete the

scope of the work. Generally, this will not exceed fifteen months.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation criteria will not be assigned weights. Projects will be

evaluated on the basis of the elements listed below in order to meet

the goals described above. EDA will consider proposals for National

Technical Assistance that include whether the proposal:

1. Effectively supports, through providing information and other

means, the capability of state and local organizations and

institutions, including nonprofit development groups, to undertake and

promote effective economic development programs targeted to people and

areas in distress.

2. Demonstrates innovative approaches to stimulating economic

development in one or more of the following:

a. Assistance to business in implementing technology initiatives

including innovations, transfer, and commercialization including high

value manufacturing through collaboration;

b. Export assistance;

c. Entrepreneurship assistance;

d. Sustainable development and growth management;

e. Empowerment zones/enterprise communities;

f. Defense conversion and industrial restructuring;

g. Assistance to colleges and universities, including community

colleges in implementing technology and/or developing curricula for

economic development; and

h. Other relevant economic development issues.

3. Presents an appropriate and clear project design.

4. Is proposed by organizations with the capacity, qualifications,

and staff necessary to undertake the intended activities.

5. Presents a reasonable, itemized budget for the proposed

activities.

Pre-Application Procedure

Potential applicants should submit one original and two copies of a

brief and concise proposal, not to exceed 20 pages. Vita and capability

information may be appended.

Proposals should include:

1. A cover page giving a short descriptive project title, the name

and address of the performing organization, the name and telephone

number of the project director, the project duration, the project

costs, the amount of EDA funds requested, and the program (National

Technical Assistance) from which EDA funds are being requested;

[[Page 13872]]

2. A brief scope-and-objectives section indicating why the project

is needed, giving its objectives, and providing a capsule description

of the project;

3. A more detailed description of the project and its methodology;

4. A work plan showing different phases of the project and their

timing;

5. A detailed budget, not to exceed one page, showing cost

breakdowns, with EDA-funded and non-EDA-funded costs presented in

separate columns and with the EDA-funded costs adding to the total

shown on the cover page;

6. Resumes for the project director and principal staff; and

7. A corporate or institutional capability statement, where

appropriate.

Proposals should be submitted to the Director, Technical Assistance

and Research Division, Economic Development Administration, Room 7315,

U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.

Application Procedures

The Technical Assistance and Research Division will invite entities

whose proposals for National Technical Assistance projects are selected

for further consideration to submit application packages. Such

invitation, however, does not assure EDA funding. The application will

include a Standard Form-424 (OMB Control No. 0348-0043).

Eligibility for Specific Solicitations

EDA may, during the course of the year, identify additional

specific economic development technical assistance activities.

Organizations and individuals interested in being invited to respond to

Solicitations of Applications (SOAs) to conduct such work should submit

information on their capabilities and experience to the Director,

Technical Assistance and Research Division, Economic Development

Administration, Room 7315, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC

20230.

Further Information

For further information about National Technical Assistance

projects contact the Technical Assistance and Research Division,

telephone (202) 482-2127.

V. Program: University Center Technical Assistance Projects

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.303 Economic

Development-Technical Assistance) 13 CFR Part 307, Subpart A

Authority

Funds for the basic University Center projects are used as seed

money to help selected colleges and universities mobilize their own and

other resources to assist in the economic development of distressed

areas. The efforts of university centers should focus on helping public

bodies, nonprofit organizations and businesses plan and implement

activities designed to generate jobs and income. In addition, funds may

be used for projects which promote the goals of the University Center

program in other ways that demonstrate innovative economic development.

Support for these types of projects is authorized under Section 301(a)

of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended,

42 U.S.C. 3151(a).

Eligibility

Eligible applicants for University Center grants are public and

private colleges and universities, associations representing such

institutions, and other organizations with expertise in University

Center program issues.

Program Description

This program helps educational institutions establish and maintain

outreach programs which permit them to be active and on-going

participants in economic development. The objective of the program is

to use the resources of the educational institutions to provide

technical assistance to alleviate or prevent conditions of excessive

unemployment or underemployment and problems of distressed populations

in individual states or substate areas. The technical assistance

provided under this program must be directed to clients outside the

institution of higher education.

Funding Availability

The FY 1995 budget for this program is $7.57 million. While the

expected funding range for each award is $75,000 to $150,000,

circumstances may warrant funding projects at higher or lower levels.

In FY 1994, EDA provided funding to 66 colleges and universities under

this program. Since most of them are expected to seek continuation

funding, it is unlikely that any new University Centers will be funded

in FY 1995.

Matching Requirements

A minimum match, equal to 25 percent of the total project cost, is

required.

Type of Funding Instrument

This program uses grants as its funding instrument.

Award Period

The project period for grants awarded under this program generally

will not exceed twelve months.

Indirect Costs

EDA encourages applicants to waive indirect costs for this program.

No more than 20 percent of the Federal grant and the minimum nonfederal

share may be allocated for indirect costs.

Application Procedures

The appropriate EDA regional office will invite entities whose

proposals for University Center Technical Assistance projects are

selected for further consideration to submit application packages. The

application will include a Standard Form 424 (OMB Control No. 0348-

0043).

Project Funding Priorities

Innovative proposals with a variety of economic development foci

are welcome. However, applicants should note that EDA will not award

University Center Technical Assistance program funds to provide general

business assistance (e.g., preparing business plans) in areas served by

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), Minority Business

Development Centers (MBDCs), or Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers

(TAACs). Most successful proposals funded in the recent past have

emphasized providing technical assistance to public sector and

nonprofit organizations related to economic development planning and

projects, or helping private sector firms use technology to solve

manufacturing or processing problems.

Evaluation Criteria

For existing University Centers, EDA will primarily consider past

performance in determining whether to continue the award and the amount

of funding to be offered. In evaluating a proposal for new University

Center funding, EDA will consider the elements listed below. Evaluation

criteria are not assigned weights, as all factors are equally important

and contribute to the overall goals described above.

1. Addresses the economic development needs of the service area;

2. Complements the activities of other organizations in the

proposed service area that are engaged in economic development;

3. Has the commitment of the highest management levels of the

sponsoring institution;

4. Provides evidence of adequate nonfederal financial support,

either [[Page 13873]] from the sponsoring institution or other sources;

5. Outlines activities consistent with the expertise of the

proposed University Center staff and the academic programs and other

available resources within the sponsoring institution;

6. Complements and supports the local, regional or state economic

development strategies in the service area;

7. Presents a reasonable budget, including both the Federal and

nonfederal shares;

8. Documents past experience of the sponsoring institution in

operating technical assistance programs; and

9. Adds to the geographic distribution of University Centers across

the country.

All proposals must include a work program organized under the

following categories: (1) providing technical assistance; (2)

conducting applied research; and (3) disseminating results of the

University Center activities. For this program, technical assistance is

defined as an activity carried out by the University Center in response

to a direct request from a client outside the sponsoring educational

institution. Applied research is defined as an economic development

activity undertaken by the University Center at its own initiative.

All proposals must include quantitative and qualitative evaluation

criteria for each activity listed under the three categories of the

work program. These criteria, when accepted by EDA, will be the primary

guide used in evaluating the performance of the University Center.

All proposals must include a program budget that, at a minimum,

indicates the Federal and nonfederal funds allocated to each of the

three work program categories. At least 70 percent of the direct costs

of the project budget must be allocated to the first category of the

work program, providing technical assistance to clients outside the

sponsoring institutions.

Selection Procedures

The EDA regional offices review the proposals and make

recommendations for funding of new grants to the Assistant Secretary

for Economic Development, who makes the final decisions based on the

relative merits of the applications.

Proposal Submission Procedures for Continuation Grants

Each existing University Center will be notified by the appropriate

regional office of its eligibility for continuation funding. At that

time, University Centers eligible for continuation funding will be

notified of the amount of the required nonfederal share and provided

with additional program guidance.

Proposal Submission Procedures for New Basic Grants

Institutions seeking funding for a University Center should submit

a proposal describing the activities to be carried out with the grant

funds, to the appropriate EDA regional office, or to the EDR for the

area. (See EDA regional office and EDR listing in Section XII of the

announcement.)

Further Information

For further information about the University Center Technical

Assistance program contact the appropriate regional office or EDR

(Section XII) or the University Center Coordinator, Technical

Assistance and Research Division, Economic Development Administration,

Room H7315, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230,

telephone (202) 482-2127.

VI. Program: Planning Assistance for Economic Development Districts,

Indian Tribes, and Redevelopment Areas

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.302 Economic

Development--Support for Planning Organizations) 13 CFR Part 307,

Subpart D

Authority

Funds under this program are awarded to defray administrative

expenses in support of the economic development planning efforts of

economic development districts (Districts), redevelopment areas (Areas)

and Indian tribes. This program is authorized under Section 301(b) of

the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended, 42

U.S.C. 3151(b).

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are economic development districts,

redevelopment areas, organizations representing redevelopment areas (or

parts of such areas), Indian tribes, organizations representing

multiple Indian tribes, the Federated States of Micronesia, the

Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the

U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the

Northern Mariana Islands.

Program Objective

The primary objective of planning assistance for administrative

expenses under section 301(b) is to support the formulation and

implementation of economic development programs designed to create or

retain full-time permanent jobs and income, particularly for the

unemployed and underemployed in the most distressed areas served by the

applicant. Planning activities supported by these program funds must be

part of a continuous process involving significant leadership by public

officials and private citizens.

Funding Availability

Funds in the amount of $21.484 million are available in two

categories: Districts/Areas (Category A)--$18.583 million; and Indian

tribes (Category B)--$2.901 million. Individual awards may vary but

generally will not exceed $57,000.

Funding Instrument

Grant assistance can be provided for up to 75 percent of project

costs for Category A grants with the applicant required to provide the

remaining share from local (non-federal) sources. Category B grant

assistance may be provided for up to 100 percent of project costs.

Project Duration

Assistance will normally be for a period of twelve months.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation criteria will not be assigned weights. EDA will consider

the elements listed below in order to evaluate funding requests.

1. The responsiveness of the proposed work program to the program

regulations contained in 13 CFR 307.22;

2. Past performance of any currently funded grantee (including

information provided in scheduled progress reports);

3. The economic distress of the area served by the applicant;

4. Management and staff capacity and qualifications in economic

program/policy development and operations;

5. The local leaders' involvement in the applicant's economic

development activities; and

6. Priority consideration will be given to currently funded

grantees.

Proposal Submission Procedures

Application procedures may be obtained from EDA's regional offices

for the following:

a. Currently funded planning grantees; and

b. Proposals from applicants not currently funded under Categories

A or B, that would fit into either of those categories.

Eligible applicants under both Categories A and B should submit

proposals which include:

1. A letter signed by the chief elected official (Chairman of the

Board, Tribal [[Page 13874]] Chairman) or another legally authorized

official of the applicant stating the organization's desire to receive

funds to carry out the types of planning and administrative activities

eligible under the 301(b) program.

2. Significant, verifiable information on the level of economic

distress in the area, including unemployment and income data. Any major

changes in distress levels during the past year should be described.

3. A work program outlining the specific development activities

that will be carried out under the grant and explaining how they relate

to the problems identified in the area OEDP, annual report, or other

documents.

New applicants should submit one copy of the proposal to the

appropriate economic development representative, and an original and

one copy to the appropriate EDA regional office. Addresses of the EDA

regional offices and listing of the economic development

representatives are found in Section XII of this Notice.

Formal Application Procedures

EDA regional offices will contact currently funded grantees to

inform them of the procedures for submitting applications for

continuation funding.

Following review of the proposals submitted, EDA will invite those

selected for funding consideration to submit formal applications.

Funding levels will be determined by the economic distress and need of

the area served by the applicants, past performance of previously

funded grantees, and availability of program funds. The application

will include an SF-424 (approved by the Office of Management and Budget

Control No. 0348-0043), proposed budget, scope of work and staffing

plan.

Further Information

For further information contact the appropriate economic

development representative, EDA regional office (see Section XII of

this Notice), or the Director, Planning Division, Economic Development

Administration, Room 7319, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC

20230; telephone (202) 482-3027.

VII. Program: Planning Assistance for States and Urban Areas

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.305 Economic

Development--State and Urban Area Economic Development Planning) 13

CFR Part 307, Subpart D

Authority

Funds under the State and Urban Planning Program are awarded to

defray administrative expenses in support of economic development

planning efforts of eligible applicants. This program is authorized

under Section 302(a) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act

of 1965, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 3151a.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants under this program are the governors of states,

the chief executive officers of cities and counties, and substate

planning and development organizations (including redevelopment areas

and economic development districts).

Program Objective

The primary objective of planning assistance under section 302(a)

is to strengthen significant economic development planning capability

and initiatives of eligible applicants to ensure a more productive use

of available resources in reducing the effects of economic problems,

particularly in those areas experiencing severe economic distress.

Assistance must be part of a continuous process involving

significant local leadership from public officials and private citizens

and should include efforts to reduce unemployment and increase incomes.

These efforts should be systematic and coordinated, when applicable,

with other planning organizations in the area, and should strengthen

the planning capabilities of applicants.

Activities eligible for support include economic analysis,

definition of development goals, determination of project

opportunities, development of economic development policies, processes

and procedures, and formulation and implementation of an economic

development program.

Planning program funds will not be used to provide support to

activities that more appropriately meet the criteria for funding under

the EDA Technical Assistance programs.

EDA is interested in proposals for planning activities designed to

address problems of economically-distressed segments of the population.

Funding priority will be given to proposals promoting exports;

entrepreneurship; and technology initiatives including innovation,

transfer, commercialization, high value manufacturing through

collaboration, or that reduce barriers to the development of new

businesses. In the case of proposals from states, EDA is particularly

interested in innovative approaches to planning and implementing

economic development initiatives such as tourism development,

manufacturing technology, and sustainable growth, as well as efforts

that lend themselves to replication in other areas.

Funding Availability

Funds in the amount of $4.87 million are available for providing

grant assistance under this program. Individual grants under this

program generally will range between $50,000 to $200,000.

Funding Instrument

Grant assistance may be provided for up to 75 percent of project

costs. Applicants will be required to provide the remaining share,

preferably in cash. Applications for grants exceeding $200,000 may be

given low funding priority. EDA may consider proposals for smaller

grants to support the aforementioned appropriate activities.

Project Duration

Assistance will be for the period of time required to complete the

work. This period is normally 12 to 18 months. If Congress makes funds

available for this program in subsequent years, grantees may submit

applications for appropriate projects for up to a total of three

awards.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation criteria will not be assigned weights. Projects will be

evaluated on the basis of the elements listed below to meet the goals

described above. The content of the development plan and overall

quality of the proposal and the economic distress of the area will be

the principal factors considered in evaluating proposals from eligible

entities. In assessing the distress factor, priority consideration will

be given to proposals from states and urban areas experiencing

substantial economic distress. In the case of urban areas, high

priority will be given to those with unemployment rates two or more

percentage points higher than the U.S. average and per capita income

levels 80 percent or less of the U.S. average. For states, high

priority will be given to those that meet both of the above criteria,

as well as those that meet one of the above criteria and have distress

equal to or greater than the national level for the other criterion.

The most recent per capita income and 24-month average unemployment

data available will be used to measure economic distress.

Proposals from states or urban areas which do not exhibit

significant distress on the basis of unemployment or income data will

not be considered unless other acceptable evidence of

[[Page 13875]] substantial distress is provided by the applicant.

Proposals from states and urban areas which are both below the U.S.

national unemployment rate and above the national per capita income are

unlikely to be funded.

Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of the elements listed

below.

1. Appropriateness of the work program to the section 302(a)

program objectives;

2. The economic distress of the area served by the applicant;

3. Extent to which the proposed planning activities are expected to

impact upon the service area's economic development needs, and the

extent to which the proposal addresses the problems of the unemployed

and underemployed of the area, including minorities, workers displaced

by plant closings, etc.;

4. The proximity of the performing office to the chief executive

(i.e., likelihood that the activities will have a significant influence

on the policy and decision making process);

5. Past performance of currently or formerly funded grantees, when

applicable;

6. The amount of local participation provided as matching dollars

to the Federal funds; and

7. Other characteristics, such as involvement of the private sector

businesses and professional groups in the proposed activities, and

particularly for states, the innovativeness of the proposed approach

and replicability of the model process or results.

Proposal Submission Procedures

Potential applicants should submit proposals that include:

1. A letter, signed by the chief executive of the applicant

organization, indicating a desire to receive funds to carry out the

planning activities outlined in the proposal; where the funded planning

program will be placed in the organization, including the name and

title of the person to be responsible for program implementation; the

amount and for what period funding is being requested; and the

anticipated funding arrangement if the planning activity is to continue

beyond the period of EDA support.

2. Significant, verifiable information on the level of economic

distress in the area, including unemployment and income data. Any major

changes in distress levels during the past year should be described.

3. Information indicating the applicant's commitment to the

proposed work program as demonstrated by amount of local funding and

the degree of interest displayed by the chief executive.

4. A time chart showing all major work program elements, projected

element start and completion dates, and the related financial

expenditures programmed for each work element.

5. A work program of no more than 10 pages which outlines the

specific planning activities that will be carried out under the grant

and specifies which activities will be handled by in-house staff,

consultants, etc. The work program should also explain the analysis and

basis of the need for the proposed activities, expected impacts and

their timing, target population(s), and involvement of the private

sector in the proposed activities.

Current grantees seeking additional funding under this announcement

should comply with the instructions of this notice. Current grantees

must also include a 3-5 page progress report for the current grant when

they submit the proposal and at the time they forward the formal

application.

One copy of the proposal should be sent to the appropriate economic

development representative, and an original and one copy to the

appropriate EDA regional office. The EDA regional office and the name,

address and telephone number of the economic development representative

for the applicant's area can be found in Section XII of this Notice.

Formal Application Procedures

EDA will evaluate proposals using the selection criteria cited

above. Once the merits of the proposal are established, EDA will

initiate discussions with the prospective applicant to clarify and

improve elements of the proposal, if necessary, and will invite those

whose proposals are selected for funding consideration to submit formal

applications, which will include an SF-424 (OMB Control No. 0348-0043),

scope of work, proposed budget, staffing plan and other requested

information. It should be noted that an invitation to submit a proposal

does not assure EDA funding. Applications will be processed as they are

received. Applications received after FY 1995 funds are exhausted may

be retained by EDA for consideration for funding the following fiscal

year, assuming funds are available.

Further Information

For further information contact the appropriate economic

development representative, EDA regional office (see Section XII of

this Notice), or the Director, Planning Division, Economic Development

Administration, Room 7319, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC

20230; telephone (202) 482-3027.

VIII. Program: Research and Evaluation Projects

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.312 Economic

Development--Research and Evaluation Program) 13 CFR Part 307,

Subpart C

Authority

Funds under the Research and Evaluation Program are used to support

studies that will increase knowledge about the causes of economic

distress and approaches to alleviating such problems. This program is

authorized under Section 301(c) of the Public Works and Economic

Development Act of 1965, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 3151(c).

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants for research and evaluation grants or

cooperative agreements include private individuals, partnerships,

corporations, associations, colleges and universities, and other

suitable organizations with expertise relevant to economic development

research.

Program Objective

The objectives of section 301(c) grants and cooperative agreements

are the following:

1. To determine the causes of unemployment, underemployment,

underdevelopment, and chronic depression in various areas and regions

of the Nation.

2. To assist in the formulation and implementation of national,

state, and local programs that will raise employment and income levels

and otherwise produce solutions to problems resulting from the above

conditions.

3. To evaluate the effectiveness of programs, projects, and

techniques used to (a) alleviate economic distress and (b) promote

economic development.

Funding Availability

Funds in the amount of $500,000 are available for this program.

Funds will be used for projects selected through the application

procedures described below and through EDA-initiated solicitations.

Individual awards may vary but generally will not exceed $100,000.

Funding Instrument

EDA will provide grants and cooperative agreements covering up to

100 percent of project costs. [[Page 13876]]

Project Duration

Assistance under this program will normally be for a period not

exceeding 15 months.

Evaluation Criteria

To meet the goals described above, EDA will use the following

unweighted criteria to evaluate research and evaluation proposals:

1. Suitability of the subject.

2. Potential usefulness of the research to state and local economic

development officials and specialists.

3. General quality and clarity of the proposal.

4. Soundness and completeness of the research methodology.

5. Qualifications of principal investigator(s) and, where

appropriate, performing organization(s).

6. Previous performance of principal investigator or performing

organization on EDA-funded projects, if applicable.

7. Cost and value of proposed product in relation to cost.

EDA is interested in receiving proposals dealing with:

1. Employment and unemployment;

2. Income and poverty;

3. Rural and nonmetropolitan economic development;

4. Urban economic development;

5. Regional and local growth and competitiveness;

6. Industrial location, industrial networks, and industrial

clustering;

7. Sustainable development and growth management;

8. Minority businesses and employment;

9. Export development;

10. Development finance; and

11. Productivity and technology.

Requests should be for specific, well-defined, one-time research

projects. EDA research grants are not intended for support of

continuing programs (permanent research programs, publication and

information programs, periodic forecasts, etc.), or for non-research

activities. EDA normally prefers research of broad geographic scope,

that covers the whole country or a large multistate region, as opposed

to research covering (in declining order of preference) a small region,

a state, a multicounty area, or a single city or county. Preference

will be given to practical cause-and-effect research and descriptive

analyses, and funding for such will receive higher priority than

theoretical studies, modeling (other than for hypothesis testing), etc.

Economic development planning and technical assistance will not be

funded under the Research and Evaluation Program; the Planning and

Technical Assistance Programs are for those purposes.

Proposal Submission Procedures

Potential applicants should submit one original and two (2) copies

of a brief and concise proposal, not to exceed 20 pages, and vita and

capability information. Proposals should avoid long background

discussions and literature surveys, but should be reasonably detailed,

particularly in explaining value to EDA, methodology, and data sources.

Each proposal should include:

1. A cover page stating that funding is sought under EDA's Research

and Evaluation program, giving a short descriptive project title, the

name and address of the performing organization, the names and

telephone numbers of the project director and principal investigators,

the project duration, the amount of EDA funds requested, and total

project cost;

2. A brief scope-and-objectives section indicating why the project

is needed, giving its objectives, and providing a capsule description

of the project;

3. A more detailed description of the project and its methodology;

4. A work plan showing different phases of the project and their

timing;

5. A detailed budget, not to exceed two pages, showing cost

breakdowns, with EDA-funded and non-EDA-funded costs presented in

separate columns, where applicable, and with the EDA-funded costs

adding to the total shown on the cover page;

6. Resumes for the project director and principal investigators;

and

7. A corporate or institutional capability statement, where

appropriate.

The cover letter accompanying the proposal should inform EDA of

whether any other organization(s) or Federal agency(ies) is or will be

considering the proposal. Any non-EDA contributions to the project,

whether by the performing organization or third parties, should be

identified.

The deadline for receipt of proposals will be three months after

the date of this announcement.

Proposals should be submitted to the Director, Technical Assistance

and Research Division, Economic Development Administration, Room 7315,

U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.

Formal Application Procedures

EDA will evaluate the proposals as they are received using the

selection criteria described above. Organizations and individuals whose

proposals are selected for further consideration will be invited to

submit an application. The formal application will include an SF-424

(OMB Control No. 0348-0043).

Eligibility for Specific Solicitations

In addition to using research and evaluation funds to support

proposals submitted under the procedures described above, EDA may

during the fiscal year identify other studies, including program

evaluations, for funding consideration.

Organizations and individuals interested in being invited to

respond to Solicitations of Applications (SOAs) to conduct such studies

should submit information on their capabilities and experience to the

address listed above. This information will be used to determine

eligibility to compete for projects under specific SOAs.

Further Information

For further information, contact the Director, Technical Assistance

and Research Division, at the above address; telephone, (202) 482-4085.

IX. Program: Economic Adjustment Assistance (Title IX)

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 11.307 Special Economic

Development and Adjustment Assistance Program--Long-Term Economic

Deterioration (LTED) and Sudden and Severe Economic Dislocation

(SSED)) 13 CFR Part 308

Authority

Funds under the Economic Adjustment Program are used to assist

areas experiencing changes in their economic situation which are

causing, or threaten to cause, serious structural damage to the

underlying economic base. Such changes may occur suddenly or over time,

and result from industrial or corporate restructuring in response to

technological advancements or changes in the marketplace, new Federal

laws or requirements, reductions in defense expenditures, depletion of

natural resources and natural disasters. Strategy grants provide the

resources for organizing and conducting a strategic planning process

and Implementation grants support one or more activities identified in

an adjustment strategy approved, though not necessarily funded by EDA.

Such activities include but are not limited to: the creation or

expansion of strategically targeted business development and financing

programs, infrastructure improvements, organizational development, and

market or industry research and analysis. This program is authorized

under Title IX of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of

1965, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 3241-3245.

Program Objective

The purpose of the Economic Adjustment Program is to enable

[[Page 13877]] communities in affected areas to meet the challenge of

economic change, constructively and effectively, through strategies for

inducing capital investment in production of the types of goods and/or

services for which the community may have or be able to develop a

comparative economic advantage, and which will lead to saving and/or

creating permanent jobs. In providing funding to support the adjustment

process, EDA's objectives are to: (1) Provide impacted communities with

the skills and knowledge needed to organize and carry out a strategic

planning process focusing on increasing the productivity and

competitiveness of a community's assets, for example, existing

industries and business acumen, natural resources, and labor force

skills; (2) expand the capacity of public officials and development

organizations to work more effectively with their business community to

identify and address unmet needs of strategically targeted firms for

management assistance, access to information to help with marketing and

modernization and finding sources of financing, and in organizing

collaborative alliances among firms for such activities as product and

market research, and new product development; (3) assist communities

overcome critical impediments to implementing their adjustment

strategy, such as a lack of available financing for the targeted

businesses or weaknesses in their economic infrastructure for which no

other sources of funding, including EDA's Title I Program, are

available; (4) enable communities to coordinate and strategically

target Federal resources available to support economic recovery from

Federal actions adversely affecting a major industrial sector and/or

the economy of a discrete geographic region, and from natural

disasters; and (5) encourage the development of innovative public/

private approaches to economic restructuring and revitalization.

Funding Availability

Funds in the amount of $45 million are available for the Economic

Adjustment Program in FY 1995. Grants awarded under this program

generally range between $25,000 and $5 million.

Funding Instrument

Title IX funds are awarded through grants generally not to exceed

75 percent of the project cost. Acceptable sources of the local share

include, but are not limited to, local government general revenue

funds; Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement funds or

balance of state awards; and other public and private donations. The

Assistant Secretary may waive all or part of the 25 percent nonfederal

share of economic adjustment assistance grants, if he determines that

the nonfederal share is not reasonably available because of the

critical nature of the situation requiring economic adjustment

assistance or for other good cause. The full amount of the local share

need not be in hand at the time of application; however, the applicant

must have a firm commitment from identified source(s), and the funds

must be readily available. The local share must not be encumbered in

any way that would preclude its use as required by the grant agreement.

The local share for grants to establish or recapitalize a revolving

loan fund (RLF) must be in cash, and while the local share for grants

for other activities may be cash or in-kind, priority consideration

will be given to proposals with a cash local share.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants within areas meeting the EDA eligibility

criteria described below include a redevelopment area or economic

development district established under Title IV; an Indian tribe; a

state; a city or other political subdivision of a state, or a

consortium of such political subdivisions; a Community Development

Corporation defined in the Community Economic Development Act of 1981,

42 U.S.C. 9802 (i.e., Community Development Corporations receiving

financial assistance under the authority of the Community Services

Block Grant Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 9910(d)); a nonprofit

organization determined by EDA to be the representative of a

redevelopment area for purposes of the particular project; the

Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands,

the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American

Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Eligible Areas

The area(s) to be assisted by the applicant generally must be

eligible on the basis of the criteria, described below, for

establishing that it is experiencing either Long-Term Economic

Deterioration or a Sudden and Severe Economic Dislocation.

A. Long-Term Economic Deterioration (LTED)

To receive priority consideration for funding as an LTED area, the

area must be experiencing at least one of three economic problems: very

high unemployment; low per capita income; or chronic distress (i.e.,

failure to keep pace with national economic growth trends over the last

five years). Priority will be given to those areas with two or more of

these indicators. Eligibility is generally determined statistically.

Further information is available from EDA's regional offices or the

economic development representative for your area (see Section XII of

this Notice).

B. Sudden and Severe Economic Dislocation (SSED)

To receive priority consideration for funding as an SSED area, the

area must show actual or threatened permanent job losses that exceed

the following threshold criteria, unless otherwise determined by the

Assistant Secretary:

1. For areas not in Metropolitan Statistical Areas:

a. If the unemployment rate of the Labor Market Area exceeds the

national average, the dislocation must amount to the lesser of two

(2.0) percent of the employed population, or 500 direct jobs.

b. If the unemployment rate of the Labor Market Area is equal to or

less than the national average, the dislocation must amount to the

lesser of four (4.0) percent of the employed population, or 1,000

direct jobs.

2. For areas within Metropolitan Statistical Areas:

a. If the unemployment rate of the Metropolitan Statistical Area

exceeds the national average, the dislocation must amount to the lesser

of one-half (0.5) percent of the employed population, or 4,000 direct

jobs.

b. If the unemployment rate of the Metropolitan Statistical Area is

equal to or less than the national average, the dislocation must amount

to the lesser of one (1.0) percent of the employed population or 8,000

direct jobs.

In addition, fifty (50) percent of the job loss threshold must

result from the action of a single employer, or eighty (80) percent of

the job loss threshold must occur in a single standard industry

classification (i.e., two digit SIC code).

In the case of a Presidentially declared natural disaster, the area

eligibility criteria are waived. In other exceptional circumstances,

the criteria may be partially or fully waived at the discretion of the

Assistant Secretary.

Actual dislocations must have occurred within one year and

threatened dislocations must be anticipated to occur within two years

of the date EDA is contacted.

Project Duration

Projects are expected to be completed in a timely manner consistent

with the nature of the project. However, the [[Page 13878]] maximum

period for which assistance will be provided shall not be more than

five years from date of award.

Evaluation Criteria

All proposals, regardless of the basis for the area's eligibility,

will be screened for conformance to statutory and regulatory

requirements, the relative severity of the area's economic problem, the

quality of the strategy developed (or scope of work for the strategy to

be developed) to address the problem, the merits of the activity(ies)

for which funding is requested, and ability of the prospective

applicant to carry out the proposed activity(ies) successfully.

Particular program requirements and factors are not weighted in

EDA's evaluation of proposals as all factors are equally important.

Projects will be evaluated on the basis of the elements listed below in

order to meet the goals described above.

A. For Strategy Grants

1. The applicant organization has the necessary authority, mandate

and capacity to lead and manage the planning process and implementation

of the resulting strategy.

2. The planning process provides for the representation of public

and private sector entities with a contribution to make to the

development of the strategy and/or on which accomplishment of the

strategic objectives will depend. These entities include public program

and service providers, trade and business associations, educational and

research institutions, community development corporations, etc.

3. The proposed scope of work focuses on the specific economic

problems to be addressed and provides for undertaking the appropriate

research and analysis needed to formulate a realistic, market-based,

adjustment strategy.

B. For Implementation Grants

1. Any activity or project proposed for funding must generally be

clearly identifiable as an integral and priority element within an

adjustment strategy for the eligible area(s) prepared or updated within

the preceeding two years. The strategy should address and/or provide

evidence of the following:

a. An appropriately designed and conducted planning process;

b. A thorough understanding of the economic problems being

addressed;

c. A sound analysis of the industry sectors and the firms within

them that comprise the area's economic base, and of the particular

strengths and weaknesses of the area that contribute to, or detract

from, its current and potential economic competitiveness.

d. Strategic objectives that flow from the economic analysis and

conclusions and focus on stimulating investment in new and/or expanding

economic activities that offer the best prospects for revitalization

and growth;

e. Appropriate and necessary resources in the area and elsewhere

have been/will be mobilized and coordinated to support implementation

of the strategy; and

f. The performance measures which the applicant will use to assess

progress toward accomplishing its strategic objectives.

2. All individual activities or projects proposed for funding must

be consistent with one or more of the Economic Adjustment Program

objectives stated above. Particular consideration will be given to

proposals involving innovative approaches to building and implementing

public/private and multifirm partnerships for such purposes as new

product development and marketing, and dissemination and application of

new production technologies and management practices.

3. Proposals for capitalizing or recapitalizing a RLF must in

addition describe and/or provide evidence of:

a. The need for a new or expanded public financing tool to

complement other business assistance programs and services available to

firms and/or would-be entrepreneurs in industry sectors and/or

locations targeted by the adjustment strategy;

b. The types of financing activities anticipated; and

c. The prospective RLF's organizational capacity to work

effectively with the business community and other financing providers,

to function as an integral part of the overall economic adjustment

effort and to manage the lending function.

Proposal Submission Procedures

Interested parties should contact the economic development

representative for the area or the appropriate EDA regional office (see

Section XII of this Notice) for a proposal package.

Application Procedures

Following a review of project proposals, EDA will invite those

proponents of projects selected for funding consideration to submit

applications. It should be noted that an invitation to apply does not

assure funding. The application will include an ED-540, as approved by

the Office of Management and Budget Control No. 0610-0058. Applicants

for RLF funding are generally required to submit a RLF Plan in addition

to the adjustment strategy for the area. Guidelines on RLF's are

available from the regional offices.

Further Information

For further information, contact the appropriate economic

development representative, EDA regional office (see Section XII of

this Notice), or the Director, Economic Adjustment Division, Economic

Development Administration, Room 7327, U.S. Department of Commerce,

Washington, DC 20230; telephone (202) 482-2659.

X. Program: Defense Conversion Assistance

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No: 11.307 Special Economic

Development and Adjustment Assistance Program--Long-Term Economic

Deterioration (LTED) and Sudden and Severe Economic Dislocation

(SSED)) 13 CFR Part 308

Authority

Funds under the Defense Conversion program are used to enable areas

where economies are adversely impacted by reductions in defense

spending, to facilitate the orderly redeployment of their defense

created assets to activities which help restructure and/or strengthen

their economic base. Areas experiencing closure of a military facility,

a defense related Department of Energy facility and/or reductions in

defense procurements may be eligible for assistance. This program is

authorized under section 4103(b) of Division D of Public Law 101-510

for FY 1991, and section 4305 of Division D of Public Law 102-484 for

FY 1993, 10 U.S.C. 2391 note; and by the Public Works and Economic

Development Act of 1965, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 3131, 3151(a), 3151(b),

and 3171(a)(3).

Program Objective

The program is designed to provide defense impacted communities

with the resources to develop and/or carry out programs and projects,

singly or in combination, that support implementation of a defense

conversion strategy or base re-use plan. Commonly funded types of

programs and projects include, but are not limited to: planning and

strategy development (only as may be necessary to complement and expand

work funded by the Office of Economic Adjustment, Department of

Defense); research and analysis, such as marketing and feasibility

studies; design and delivery of conversion or development assistance

and services for affected businesses, typically smaller defense

contractors in order to, for example, fill gaps in available technical

services, developing collaborative alliances for [[Page 13879]] new

product and market development, and establishing or expanding financing

programs for targeted businesses; and infrastructure improvements

needed to facilitate the re-use of former military facilities.

Assistance may be provided directly to affected communities, and

also through other entities, such as states or regional development

organizations, when to do so would result in more effective and

efficient delivery of a particular service or program.

Funding Availability

Funds in the amount of $120 million are available for the Defense

Conversion program in FY 1995. Grants awarded under this program

generally range between $25,000 and $5 million.

Note: The Selection Criteria and Application Procedures set

forth in this announcement supersede those previously announced in

the Federal Register of May 6, 1993 (58 FR 27188), and apply to the

unobligated balance of the $80 million authorized under section 4305

of Division D of Public Law 102-484 and of the $50 million

authorized under section 4103(b) of Division D of Public Law 101-

510.

Funding Instrument

Assistance is in the form of grants, which will normally be awarded

under the authority of EDA's Title IX Economic Adjustment program.

However, grants for assistance under the Defense Conversion program may

also be made to applicants eligible for assistance under the Title I

Public Works and the Title III Technical Assistance, Research and

Planning programs.

Title IX grants may be awarded for up to 75 percent of the total

project cost. Acceptable sources of the local share include, but are

not limited to, local government general revenue funds; Community

Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement funds or balance of state

awards; and other public and private donations. The Assistant Secretary

may waive all or part of the 25 percent nonfederal share of economic

adjustment assistance grants, if he determines that the nonfederal

share is not reasonably available because of the critical nature of the

situation requiring economic adjustment assistance or for other good

cause. The full amount of the local share need not be in hand at the

time of application; however, the applicant must have a firm commitment

from identified source(s), and the funds must be readily available. The

local share must not be encumbered in any way that would preclude its

use as required by the grant agreement. The local share for a revolving

loan fund project must be in cash, and while the local share for other

types of defense conversion activities may be cash or in-kind, priority

consideration will be given to proposals with a cash local share.

For information regarding local share requirements for the Title I

Public Works and the Title III Technical Assistance, Research and

Planning programs, Sections II, IV and VI of this Announcement should

be consulted.

In accordance with Public Law 103-317, financial assistance may be

provided for projects to be located on military installations closed or

scheduled for closure or realignment to eligible grantees under PWEDA

without it being required that the grantee have title or ability to

obtain a lease for the property, for the useful life of the project

when, in the opinion of the Secretary of Commerce such financial

assistance is necessary for the economic development of the area; and

the Secretary of Commerce may, as he or she deems appropriate, consult

with the Secretary of Defense regarding title to the land on military

installations closed or scheduled for closure or realignment.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants within areas meeting the eligibility criteria

described below include a redevelopment area or economic development

district established under Title IV of this Act, 42 U.S.C. 3161; an

Indian tribe; a state; a city or other political subdivision of a

state, or a consortium of such political subdivisions; a Community

Development Corporation defined in the Community Economic Development

Act of 1981, 42 U.S.C. 9802 (i.e., Community Development Corporations

receiving financial assistance under the authority of the Community

Services Block Grant Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 9910(d)); a nonprofit

organization determined by EDA to be the representative of a

redevelopment area; and the Federated States of Micronesia, the

Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the

Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the

Northern Mariana Islands.

For assistance under the Title I Public Works program, and Title

III Technical Assistance, Research and Planning programs, Sections II,

IV and VI of this Announcement should be consulted.

Applicants must meet either the Department of Defense criteria or

the Economic Adjustment program criteria described in A and B below:

A. Department of Defense Criteria

(1) In the case of a proposed or actual establishment, realignment,

or closure of a military installation, where the Secretary of Defense

determines that such action is likely to have a direct and

significantly adverse consequence on the affected community.

(2) In the case of a publicly announced planned reduction in DOD

spending, the cancellation or termination of a DOD contract, or the

failure to proceed with a previously approved major defense acquisition

program, assistance may be provided only if the reduction,

cancellation, termination, or failure will have a direct and

significant adverse impact on a community and will result in the loss

of the lesser of:

(a) 2,500 or more employee positions, in the case of a Metropolitan

Statistical Area (MSA) or similar area (as defined by the Director of

the Office of Management and Budget);

(b) 1,000 or more employee positions, in the case of a labor market

area outside of an MSA; or

(c) one percent of the total number of civilian jobs in that area.

B. EDA Criteria

The dislocation must satisfy one of the following criteria (in

exceptional circumstances, the criteria may be partially waived by the

Assistant Secretary for Economic Development):

(1) For areas not in MSAs:

(a) If the unemployment rate of the Labor Market Area exceeds the

national average, the dislocation must amount to the lesser of two

(2.0) percent of the employed population, or 500 direct jobs.

(b) If the unemployment rate of the Labor Market Area is equal to

or less than the national average, the dislocation must amount to the

lesser of four (4.0) percent of the employed population, or 1,000

direct jobs.

(2) For areas within MSAs:

(a) If the unemployment rate of the MSA exceeds the national

average, the dislocation must amount to the lesser of one-half (0.5)

percent of the employed population, or 4,000 direct jobs.

(b) If the unemployment rate of the MSA is equal to or less than

the national average, the dislocation must amount to the lesser of one

(1.0) percent of the employed population, or 8,000 direct jobs.

Under the Defense program, an area will normally be eligible for up

to two years before the announced date for a base closure or contract

reduction and for two years after. However, if completion of an area's

adjustment strategy is delayed for good reason, the

[[Page 13880]] area's eligibility may be extended for up to one year

from the date the strategy is accepted by EDA.

Project Duration

Projects are expected to be completed in a timely manner consistent

with the nature of the project. However, the maximum period for which

assistance will be provided shall not be more than five years from date

of award for Title I and Title IX projects. For projects under Title

III Technical Assistance, Research and Planning programs, assistance

will be for the period of time required to complete the scope of work,

which typically will not exceed twelve months.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation criteria will not be assigned weights as all factors are

equally important. Projects will be evaluated on the basis of the

elements listed below in order to meet the goals described above. Key

factors in EDA's evaluation of proposed defense conversion projects

include:

1. The relative severity of the impact of the defense cutbacks on

the economic and employment base of the area(s).

2. The quality of the area economic adjustment/defense conversion

strategy or base reuse plan which is a prerequisite for funding

consideration. The plan should address and/or provide evidence of the

following:

a. An appropriately designed and conducted planning process;

b. The scale and characteristics of the impact of the defense

cutbacks on workers, industry sectors and businesses;

c. Strategic objectives that address the defense related problems

and opportunities, are appropriate to the area's particular economic

attributes and circumstances, and are based on sound research and

analysis;

d. All appropriate and available Federal, State and local

resources, programs, services, etc., have been identified and will be

mobilized and coordinated to support implementation of the strategy;

and

e. The performance measures which the applicant will use to assess

progress toward accomplishing its strategic objectives.

Note: EDA may, in some instances, consider funding a project

prior to completion of the strategy/plan, provided that (a) an

appropriate community planning process is underway, (b) sufficient

analysis has been done to show that the proposed project is

economically viable and potentially consistent with the evolving

strategy and (c) the proposed project has the support of the

community.

3. The degree to which the proposed program/project contributes to:

a. Productive redeployment of defense created assets (facilities,

workforce skills, industrial technologies and production capacity);

b. Overcoming critical impediments to a community's ability to

progress with implementing its strategy or base reuse plan; and

c. Facilitating/stimulating private sector investment in the

production of the types of goods and services that will strengthen the

economic base of the area over the long term, and lead to the

generation of new employment opportunities and revenue.

4. The capacity of the prospective applicant to administer the

proposed project and ensure achievement of the stated objectives.

Proposal Submission Procedures

When a major defense cutback is announced, EDA's economic

development representative for the state in which it is to occur will

normally contact officials of the affected community. Otherwise, the

interested parties should contact either the economic development

representative for the area or the appropriate EDA regional office (see

Section XII of this Notice). The economic development representative

will track the community's strategy/base reuse planning process and

provide information regarding activities/projects that could be

considered for EDA assistance. At such time as the planning process is

sufficiently advanced for prospective implementation programs and

projects to have been identified, the economic development

representative will advise the community on the preparation of a short

funding proposal.

Application Procedures

EDA will evaluate proposals using the evaluation criteria cited

above. Once the merits of the proposal are established, EDA will work

if necessary with the prospective applicant to clarify elements of the

proposal and such EDA administrative policies and requirements as may

apply to the particular type of program or project for which assistance

is being requested. For example, applicants for assistance to

capitalize a revolving loan fund (RLF) are generally required to submit

a RLF Plan.

When a proposal is selected for funding consideration, EDA will

invite the proponent to submit a formal application under the authority

of the specified funding program, i.e., Title I, III or IX. The

appropriate formal application package will be provided. It should be

noted that an invitation to apply does not assure funding.

Further Information

For further information, contact the appropriate economic

development representative, EDA regional office (see Section XII of

this Notice), or the Director, Economic Adjustment Division, Economic

Development Administration, Room 7327, U.S. Department of Commerce,

Washington, DC 20230; telephone (202) 482-2659.

XI. Program: Trade Adjustment Assistance

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.313 Economic

Development--Trade Adjustment Assistance) 13 CFR Part 315

Authority

Funds under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program are awarded to

a network of Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (TAACs), located

around the Nation, which provide technical assistance to certified

firms adversely affected by increased imports. This program is

authorized under Title II, Chapter 3 of the Trade Act of 1974, 19

U.S.C. 2341-2355.

Funding Availability

Funds in the amount of $10.0 million are available for trade

adjustment assistance. Nearly all of these funds will be provided to

the nationwide network of TAACs through cooperative agreements.

Individual awards generally range between $650,000 and $1.025 million.

No new centers will be funded in FY 1995.

Funds are also awarded under this program to organizations

representing trade-injured industries. Limited funds are available for

industry technical assistance for continuation of an existing program.

No new industry assistance projects are expected to be funded in FY

1995.

Program Objective

The Trade Adjustment Assistance Program is designed to provide

technical assistance to certified firms and industries hurt by the

impact of increased imports. The TAACs help firms submit certification

petitions to the Trade Adjustment Assistance Division (TAAD) of EDA. If

the firm is certified, TAACs provide technical assistance to the firm

in developing a strategy to adjust to the import injury. A firm should

work closely with the appropriate TAAC in petitioning for

certification. Certified firms should also work closely with the

appropriate TAAC in diagnosing their problems and developing an

adjustment proposal, and [[Page 13881]] in applying for technical

assistance if their adjustment proposal is accepted by EDA.

An industry association or other organization interested in

receiving an industry assistance cooperative agreement must meet with a

TAAD representative to discuss the industry's problems, opportunities,

and assistance needs.

Criteria for Evaluating Industry Assistance Proposals

Industry associations and other organizations seeking trade

adjustment industry assistance must demonstrate that the industry is

injured by foreign trade and that the activities to be funded will

yield some short-term actions that the industry itself (and individual

firms) can and will take toward the restoration of the industry's

international competitiveness. Evaluation criteria will not be assigned

weights as all factors are equally important. Projects will be

evaluated on the basis of the elements listed below in order to meet

the goals described above.

The emphasis is on practical results that can be implemented in the

near term, and long-term research and development activities are given

low priority. It is also expected that the industry will continue

activities on its own without the need for continued Federal

assistance.

Application Procedures

Industry associations or other organizations seeking industry

assistance must submit an application identified as Standard Form 424

(OMB Control No. 0348-0043), if encouraged to do so as a result of the

meeting with a TAAD representative.

Acceptable industry assistance applications will be processed as

funds are available; normally one to three months is required for final

decision on application.

Formula and Matching Requirements

Generally, a minimum of 50 percent share is required for industry

assistance cooperative agreements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Industry assistance cooperative agreements are generally for a 12-

month period, but may be longer for tasks requiring more time to

complete.

Further Information

For further information, contact the Director, Trade Adjustment

Assistance Division, Economic Development Administration, Room 7023,

U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230; telephone (202) 482-

3373.

XII. EDA Regional Offices and Economic Development Representatives

The EDA regional and field offices, states covered, and the

economic development representatives (EDRs) are listed below.

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

EDRs States covered

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

Atlanta Regional Office

401 West Peachtree Street, N.W., Suite 1820

Atlanta, Georgia 30308-3510

Telephone: (404) 730-3002

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

Burnette, F. Wayne, Aronov Building, Room 705, 474 South Court Street, Alabama.

Montgomery, AL 36104, Telephone: (205) 223-7008.

Smith, Lola B., Federal Building, Room 423, 80 North Hughey Avenue, Orlando, Florida.

FL 32801, Telephone: (407) 648-6572.

Day, William J., Jr., 401 West Peachtree Street, N.W., Suite 1820, Atlanta, Georgia.

GA 30308-3510, Telephone: (404) 730-3000.

Hunter, Bobby D., 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Lexington, KY 40503-5477, Kentucky.

Telephone: (606) 224-7426.

Ainsworth, Bob, 221 Federal Building, 100 West Capital Street, Jackson, MS Mississippi.

39269, Telephone: (601) 965-4342.

Jones, Dale L., P.O. Box 2522, Raleigh, NC 27601, Telephone: (919) 856-4570.. North Carolina.

Dixon, Patricia M., Strom Thurmond Federal Building, 1835 Assembly Street, South Carolina.

Room 307, Columbia, SC 29201, Telephone: (803) 765-5676.

Parks, Mitchell S., 261 Cumberland Bend Drive, Nashville, TN 37228, Tennessee.

Telephone: (615) 736-5911.

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

Austin Regional Office

Thornberry Building, Suite 121

903 San Jacinto Boulevard

Austin, Texas 78701-2450

Telephone: (512) 482-5461

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

Spearman, Sam, Room 2509, Federal Building, 700 West Capitol, Little Rock, AR Arkansas.

72201, Telephone: (501) 324-5637.

Davidson, Pamela, 412 North Fourth Street, Room 104, Baton Rouge, LA 70802- Louisiana.

5523, Telephone: (504) 389-0227.

Swearingen, James, P.O. Box 2662, Santa Fe, NM 87504, Telephone: (505) 988- New Mexico.

6557.

Waters, Alvin X. Jr., 5500 North Western, Suite 148, Oklahoma City, OK 73118- Oklahoma.

4011, Telephone: (405) 231-4198.

Ramirez, Roy, Suite 121, Thornberry Building, 903 San Jacinto Boulevard, Texas (south).

Austin, TX 78701-2450, Telephone: (512) 482-5118.

Jacob, Lawrence, Suite 121, Thornberry Building, 903 San Jacinto Boulevard, Texas (north).

Austin, TX 78701-2450, Telephone: (512) 482-5119.

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

California Field Office

Oakland Federal Building

1301 Clay Street, Suite 675N

Oakland, California 94612-5217

Telephone: (510) 637-2988

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

Sosson, Deena R., 1345 J Street, Suite B, Sacramento, CA 95814, Telephone: California (northern).

(916) 551-1541.

Lewis, William J., 1345 J Street, Suite A, Sacramento, CA 95814, Telephone: California (central).

(916) 551-2160.

[[Page 13882]]

Oaks, Charles W., 297 Marengo Avenue, Room 100, Pasadena, CA 91102-6020, California (southern).

Telephone: (818) 583-6967.

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

Chicago Regional Office

111 North Canal Street, Suite 855

Chicago, IL 60606-7204

Telephone: (312) 353-7706

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

Casals, Alfred L., 509 West Capitol, Suite 204, Springfield, IL 62704, Illinois.

Telephone: (217) 492-4224.

Henderson, Richard L., Federal Building Courthouse, Room 402, 46 East Ohio Indiana.

Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Telephone: (317) 226-6104.

Collison, James L., 100 North Warren Avenue, Room 1018, Saginaw, MI 48606- Michigan.

0867, Telephone: (517) 758-4097.

Arnold, John B. III, 104 Federal Building, 515 West First Street, Duluth, MN Minnesota.

55802, Telephone: (218) 720-5326.

Hickey, Robert F., Federal Building, Room 607, 200 North High Street, Ohio.

Columbus, Ohio 43214, Telephone: (614) 469-7314.

Price, Jack D., 1320 W. Clairemont Ave., Suite 114, Eau Claire, WI 54701, Wisconsin.

Telephone: (715) 834-4079.

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Denver Regional Office

1244 Speer Boulevard, Room 670

Denver, Colorado 80204

Telephone: (303) 844-4714

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Zender, John, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Room 632, Denver, CO 80204, Telephone: Colorado, Kansas.

(303) 844-4902.

Cecil, Robert, Federal Building, Room 593A, 210 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA Iowa.

50309, Telephone: (515) 284-4746.

Paul Hildebrandt, Federal Building, Room B-02, 608 East Cherry, Columbia, MO Missouri.

65201, Telephone: (314) 442-8084.

Rogers, John C., Federal Building, Room 196, Drawer 10074, Helena, MT 59626, Montana.

Telephone: (406) 449-5074.

Albertson, Warren A., Federal Building, Room 219, Pierre, SD 57501, Nebraska, South Dakota.

Telephone: (605) 224-8280.

Grant, Cornelius P., P.O. Box 1911, Bismarck, ND 58501, Telephone: (701) 250- North Dakota.

4321.

Ockey, Jack, Federal Building, Room 2414, 125 South State Street, Salt Lake Utah, Wyoming.

City, UT 84138, Telephone: (801) 524-5119.

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Philadelphia Regional Office

Curtis Center

Independence Square West

Suite 140 South

Philadelphia, PA 19106

Telephone: (215) 597-4603

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Hammarlund, C.N. Jr., Federal Office Building, Room 453, 450 Main Street, Connecticut, Rhode Island.

Hartford, CT 06103, Telephone: (203) 240-3256.

Flynn, Patricia A., 2568-A Riva Road, Suite 200, Annapolis, MD 21401-7450, Delaware, Maryland, District of

Telephone: (410) 962-2513. Columbia.

Blitz, Sandford, Federal Building, Room 410D, 40 Western Avenue, Augusta, ME Maine.

04330, Telephone: (207) 622-8271.

Fitzhenry, William A., Boston Federal Office Building, 10 Causeway Street, Massachusetts.

Room 420 (Box 2), Boston, MA 02222-1036, Telephone: (617) 565-7235.

Potter, Rita V., 143 North Main Street, Suite 209, Concord, NH 03301, New Hampshire, Vermont.

Telephone: (603) 225-1624.

Rossignol, Clifford J., 44 South Clinton Avenue, Room 703, Trenton, NJ 08609, New Jersey.

Telephone: (609) 989-2192.

Marshall, Harold J. II, 620 Erie Boulevard West, Suite 104, Syracuse, NY New York.

13204, Telephone: (315) 423-5203.

Pecone, Anthony M., 1933A New Berwick Highway, Bloomsburg, PA 17815, Pennsylvania.

Telephone: (717) 389-7560.

Cruz, Ernesto L., Federal Office Building, Room 620, 150 Carlos Chardon Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands.

Avenue, Hato Rey, PR 00918-1738, Telephone: (809) 766-5187.

Noyes, Neal E., 700 Centre Building, Room 230, 704 E. Franklin Street, Virginia.

Richmond, VA 23219, Telephone: (804) 771-2061.

Davis, R. Byron, Rose City Press Building, 550 Eagan Street, Room 305, West Virginia.

Charleston, WV 25301, Telephone: (304) 347-5252.

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Seattle Regional Office

Jackson Federal Building, Room 1856

915 Second Avenue

Seattle, Washington 98174

Telephone: (206) 220-7660

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Richert, Bernhard E. Jr., 605 West 4th Avenue, Room G-80, Anchorage, AK 99501- Alaska.

7594, Telephone: (907) 271-2274.

Perot, C. Antony, Phoenix Plaza, Suite 965, 2901 North Central, Phoenix, AZ Arizona, Nevada (except Elko,

85012, Telephone: (602) 640-2541. Eureka and White) Pine

Counties).

[[Page 13883]]

McChesney, Frank, P.O. Box 50264, Federal Building, Room 4106, Honolulu, HI Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa,

96850, Telephone: (808) 541-3391. Marshall Islands, Micronesia,

Northern Marianas.

Ames, Aldred F., Room 441, 304 North 8th Street, Boise, ID 83702, Telephone: Idaho, Nevada (counties of Elko,

(208) 334-1533. Eureka & White Pine).

Berblinger, Anne S., One World Trade Center, 121 S.W. Salmon Street, Suite Oregon.

244, Portland, OR 97204, Telephone: (503) 326-3078.

Kirry, Lloyd P., Jackson Federal Building, 915 Second Avenue, Room 1856, Washington.

Seattle, WA 98174, Telephone: (206) 220-7682.

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Dated: March 8, 1995.

William W. Ginsberg,

Assistant Secretary for Economic Development.

[FR Doc. 95-6261 Filed 3-13-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-24-P