[Federal Register: June 26, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 123)]
[Notices]               
[Page 43089-43090]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26jn02-31]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration

 
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy--Request for Comments

ACTION: Proposed collection: comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden invites the general public and 
other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed 
or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1994, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 26, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
6608, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington DC 20230 or via 
Internet at MClayton@doc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instruments and instructions 
should be directed to Patricia Flynn, Director, Operations Review and 
Analysis Division, Economic Development Administration, Room 7015, 
Washington, DC 20230, telephone 202-482-5353.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Economic Development Administration (EDA) helps our partners 
across the nation (states, regions, and communities) create wealth and 
minimize poverty by promoting a favorable business environment to 
attract private capital investment and jobs through world-class 
capacity building, planning, infrastructure, research grants, and 
strategic initiatives.
    The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is needed by 
EDA to ensure that areas served by an EDA-supported planning 
organization have or are developing a continuous community-based 
planning process and have thoroughly thought out what type of economic 
development is needed in the area. The process addresses both the 
assets of the area in terms of natural resources, labor skills, 
educational and research facilities, transportation, infrastructure, 
financial resources, proximity to major economic hubs, or any other 
positive influences that can be identified, and also the liabilities of 
the area in terms of unemployment, underemployment, low incomes, 
threatened closure of industry or other employment centers, out-
migration, denigration of natural resources or other negatives. The 
CEDS process is designed to bring about consensus on long-term goals 
and specific activities to reach those goals with the overall purpose 
of alleviating economic decline and in fact, developing an environment 
conducive to economic development.

II. Method of Collection

    This information is required under the Public Works and Economic 
Development Act of 1965, as amended, including the comprehensive 
amendments by the Economic Development Administration Reform Act of 
1998, Public Law 105-393, (PWEDA). The information is used by EDA to 
determine: if statutory requirements are met on eligibility for 
projects for public works and economic adjustment (except for strategy/
planning); district designation requirements; and if planning 
requirements are met. The CEDS has been revised to include EDA's 
Investment Policy Guidelines which are intended to further define the 
criteria used to evaluate proposals for EDA funding which are provided 
at 13 CFR 304.2.

III. Data

    OMB Number(s) 0610-0093.
    Form Number: Not Applicable.
    Burden: 33,150.
    Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: EDA-funded grantees: State, local and tribal 
governments; community organizations; and not-for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Approximately 640.
    Estimated Time per Response: (1) Initial CEDS for Districts and 
other EDA-supported Planning Organizations--240 hours; (2) CEDS 
Document for non-Districts and non-EDA supported organizations--25 
hours; (3) Annual CEDS Report--50 hours; and (4) CEDS Update--75 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 33,150 hours.
    Estimate Total Annual Cost: $1,344,000.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the

[[Page 43090]]

agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the equality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: June 20, 2002.
Madeleine G. Clayton,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-16043 Filed 6-25-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-34-P