SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) leads the Federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. Guided by the basic principle that sustainable economic development should be locally-driven, EDA works directly with communities and regions to help them build the capacity for economic ( printed page 5886) development based on local business conditions and needs. The Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA) (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.) is EDA's organic authority and is the primary legal authority under which EDA awards financial assistance. Under PWEDA, EDA provides financial assistance to both rural and urban distressed communities by fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and productivity through investments in infrastructure development, capacity building, and business development to attract private capital investments and new and better jobs to regions experiencing economic distress. Further information on EDA programs and financial assistance opportunities can be found at www.eda.gov.

To effectively administer and monitor its economic development assistance programs, EDA collects certain information from applications for, and recipients of, EDA investment assistance. EDA may award assistance for construction and non-construction projects through its Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) programs. Public Works program investments help support the construction or rehabilitation of essential public infrastructure and facilities necessary to generate or retain private sector jobs and investments, attract private sector capital, and promote vibrant economic ecosystems, regional competitiveness, and innovation. The EAA program provides a wide range of technical, planning, and infrastructure assistance in regions experiencing adverse economic changes that may occur suddenly or over time.

EDA seeks comments from the public and other Federal agencies on a proposed reinstatement of the series of checklists and templates that constitute EDA's post-approval tools for construction and non-construction projects. These checklists and templates, as well as any special conditions incorporated into the terms and conditions at the time of award, supplement the requirements that apply to EDA-funded projects.

EDA is also changing the name of the collection to reflect that it covers non-construction post award matters as well as construction post award matters.

II. Method of Collection

The checklists and templates are collected via both paper and electronic submissions. These checklists and templates, as well as any special conditions incorporated into the terms and conditions at the time of award, supplement the requirements that apply to EDA-funded projects.

As a part of this reinstatement process, EDA plans to make clarifying edits to the series of checklists and templates, thereby facilitating timely completion by the award recipient and approval by EDA. Additionally, EDA developed a collection to help recipients comply with the requirements of the Build America, Buy America provisions of the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58); updated the environmental narrative form required for all construction projects; updated the standard terms and conditions for construction projects; developed a checklist for alternative construction methodologies ( e.g., CMAR); developed a new version of its existing property reporting requirements to accommodate situations unique to Tribal recipients; and developed a new series of checklists unique to non-construction projects. Overall, due to the overall decrease in awards made by EDA compared to EDA's activities during the pandemic, none of the edits or additions are expected to increase the time burden on the respondent nor do the modifications change the type of collected information.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0610-0096.

Form Number(s): None.

Type of Review: Reinstatement of a previously approved collection.

Affected Public: Recipients of EDA construction (Public Works or Economic Assistance Adjustment) awards, including (1) cities or other political subdivisions of a state, including a special purpose unit of state or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions; (2) states; (3) institutions of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education; (4) public or private non-profit organizations or associations; (5) District Organizations; (6) Indian Tribes or a consortia of Indian Tribes; (7) economic development organizations; and (8) public-private partnerships for public infrastructure.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,500.

Estimated Time per Response: 2 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 7,000 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $480,200 (cost assumes application of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics September 2024 hourly employer costs for employee compensation for professional and related occupations of $68.60).

Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

Legal Authority: The Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.).

IV. Request for Comments

We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.