Economic Development-Technical Assistance (11.303)

Program

11.303 Economic Development-Technical Assistance

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Commerce
Office: Economic Development Administration

Authorization

Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. � 3121 et seq.).

Program Number

11.303

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

EDA oversees three technical assistance programs (National, Local and University Center) that promote economic development and alleviate unemployment, underemployment, and out-migration in distressed regions. These programs provide grants or cooperative agreements ( to: (1) invest in institutions of higher education to establish and operate University Centers to provide technical assistance to public and private sector organizations with the goal of enhancing local economic development; (2) support innovative approaches to stimulate economic development in distressed regions; (3) disseminate information and studies of economic development issues of national significance; and (4) finance feasibility studies and other projects leading to local economic development. These programs aid the long-range economic development of regions with severe unemployment and low per capita income.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Technical assistance is used to provide information, data, and know-how in evaluating, shaping and implementing specific projects and programs that promote economic development in economically distressed regions. EDA may identify specific training, research or technical assistance Projects it will fund under National Technical Assistance, which will be subject to competition. Ordinarily, these Projects are specified in an FFO, which will provide the specific requirements, timelines and the appropriate points of contact and addresses.

EDA-sponsored University Centers conduct research; provide technical assistance to tribal entities, local governments, and public and private sector organizations; and undertake other activities with the goal of enhancing regional economic development by promoting a favorable business environment to attract private capital investment and higher-skill, higher-wage jobs. University Center recipients specialize in a diverse spectrum of services, ranging from a legal clinic for entrepreneurs to a horticultural institute focusing on linking organic producers to the worldwide marketplace to a center focused on commercializing research in the field of alternative energy. Others focus on technology transfer programs or services for manufacturers. EDA University Center competitions are held once every three years in each EDA Region. The project must be consistent with the CEDS of the region in which it is located, if applicable.

At least eighty (80) percent of EDA funding under a University Center Economic Development award must be allocated to direct costs of program delivery; unrecovered indirect costs are not chargeable to the award without EDA�s express approval. All EDA grants are discretionary. EDA does not award formula grants.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Most technical assistance recipients are private or public nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. As defined in 13 CFR 300.3, 'eligible recipients' include a State, city, county, or other political subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of such political subdivision, an institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education, an Economic Development District organization, a private or public nonprofit organization or association, including a faith-based nonprofit organization, acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State, or an Indian Tribe, or a consortium of Indian Tribes. Individuals, companies, corporations, and associations organized for profit are not eligible. As used in this paragraph, 'State' includes the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. Program funds cannot be awarded to individuals and for profit organizations to start or expand a private enterprise.

Beneficiary Eligibility

None. Investments are intended to finance projects that would be useful in alleviating or preventing conditions of excessive unemployment or underemployment.

Credentials/Documentation

To be considered for EDA investment assistance, applicants must first submit a complete EDA application package. Additional documentation requirements are set forth in the applicable FFO, but generally include the resumes of key personnel on research/training projects. For University Center competitions, these generally also include a project narrative; budget, budget narrative, and staffing plan; and organizational summary. Non-profit applicants applying for technical assistance will be asked to provide additional documentation. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Except for applications that have a national or multi-regional focus, applications are subject to the requirements of Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs" and implementing regulations at 13 CFR 302.9.

Award Procedure

EDA will award investment assistance in accord with the procedures set forth in the applicable announcement of federal funding opportunity (FFO).

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

For National Technical Assistance and University Center competitions, the deadlines are set forth in the applicable FFO. For Local Technical Assistance, regional offices accept applications on a rolling basis. Approval or disapproval of an application is generally made within 4 months; in many cases, the timeline for award announcement in set forth in the applicaable FFO.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Each fiscal year, two EDA regional offices will provide a three-year project period for each University Center selected for funding under the requisite competition, with the initial award being made for the first year of the project period. Funding beyond the initial year is dependent upon the availability of funds and satisfactory performance, as determined by EDA and expressed in written notice. The servicing EDA regional office will contact current University Center operators regarding the procedures for applying for continuation funding. National and Local Technical Assistance projects are typically funded for a single project period without any pre-set expectation of renewal. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at EDA's sole discretion.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching Requirements: Generally, the amount of the EDA award may not exceed fifty (50) percent of the total cost of the project. Projects may receive an additional amount that shall not exceed thirty (30) percent, based on the relative needs of the region in which the project will be located, as determined by EDA. See section 204(a) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. � 3144) and 13 C.F.R. � 301.4(b)(1). The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development has the discretion to establish a maximum EDA investment rate of up to one-hundred (100) percent where the project (i) merits and is not otherwise feasible without an increase to the EDA investment rate; or (ii) will be of no or only incidental benefit to the recipient. See section 204(c)(3) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. � 3144) and 13 C.F.R. � 301.4(b)(4). In-kind contributions, fairly evaluated by EDA, may provide the non-federal share of the total project cost.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Generally, the University Center Program funds applications on a three-year basis with continuation awards made for each of the three years within a project period. The length of the project period for National and Local Technical Assistance projects varies, but is usually for a period of one year. Funds are disbursed as required. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: In accordance with the grant terms and conditions.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

No program reports are required. No cash reports are required. As specified in the terms and conditions of the award, and as stated in the applicable FFO. EDA requires the submission of the SF-425 Federal Financial Report. EDA reserves the right to conduct site visits as required. In addition, University Centers are subject to an annual peer review.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Single or program-specific audits shall be performed in accordance with the requirements contained in OMB Circular A-133, �Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations,� and the related Compliance Supplement. OMB Circular A-133 requires any non-federal entity (i.e., non-profit organizations, including non-profit institutions of higher education and hospitals, States, local governments and Indian tribes) that expends federal awards of $500,000 or more in the recipient�s fiscal year to conduct a single or program-specific audit in accordance with the requirements set out in the Circular.

The applicant is reminded that EDA or the Department of Commerce�s Office of Inspector General also may conduct an audit of an award at any time.

Records

All financial and programmatic records, supporting documents, statistical reports, and other records of recipients and sub-recipients are required to be maintained by the terms of the agreement.

Program Accomplishments

Not Applicable.

Financial Information

Account Identification

13-2050-0-1-452.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $10,783,974; FY 09 est $9,666,027; FY 10 est $13,400,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

It varies. See applicable FFO.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

13 CFR Parts 300-302, 306.

Related Programs

11.307 Economic Adjustment Assistance

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices.

Headquarters Office

Maureen V. Klovers 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW
Room 7019
, Washington, District of Columbia 20230 Email: mklovers@eda.doc.gov Phone: 2024822785

Web Site Address

www.eda.gov

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2009: For a list of recent investments, see EDA's website at http://www.eda.gov/NewsEvents/NewInvestments.xml. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The evaluation criteria are set forth in the applicable FFO.