04-9564. Notice of Action Subject to Intergovernmental Review Under Executive Order 12372

AGENCY:

Small Business Administration.

ACTION:

Notice of action subject to intergovernmental review under Executive Order 12372.

SUMMARY:

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is notifying the public that it intends to grant the pending applications of 22 existing Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) for refunding on October 1, 2004, subject to the availability of funds. Five states do not participate in the EO 12372 process; therefore, their addresses are not included. A short description of the SBDC program follows in the supplementary information below.

The SBA is publishing this notice at least 120 days before the expected refunding date. The SBDCs and their mailing addresses are listed below in the address section. A copy of this notice also is being furnished to the respective State single points of contact designated under the Executive Order. Each SBDC application must be consistent with any area-wide small business assistance plan adopted by a State-authorized agency.

DATES:

A State single point of contact and other interested State or local entities may submit written comments regarding an SBDC refunding within 30 days from the date of publication of this notice to the SBDC.

ADDRESSES:

Addresses of Relevant SBDC State Directors

Mr. Robert McKinley, Region Director, Univ. of Texas at San Antonio, 145 Duncan Drive, Suite 200, San Antonio, TX 78226, [phone].

Mr. Conley Salyer, State Director, West Virginia Development Office, 950 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, WV 25301, [phone].

Mr. Clinton Tymes, State Director, University of Delaware, One Innovation Way, Suite 301, Newark, DE 19711, [phone].

Ms. Carmen Marti, SBDC Director, Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Ponce de Leon Avenue, #416, Edificio Union Plaza, Seventh Floor, Hato Rey, PR 00918, [phone].

Mr. Michael Young, Region Director, University of Houston, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77002, [phone].

Ms. Becky Naugle, State Director, University of Kentucky, 225 Gatton College of Business Economics, Lexington, KY 40506-0034, [phone].

Ms. Liz Klimback, Region Director, Dallas Community College, 1402 Corinth Street, Dallas, TX 75212, [phone].

Ms. Rene Sprow, State Director, Univ. of Maryland @ College Park, 7100 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 401, Baltimore, MD 20742-1815, [phone].

Mr. Craig Bean, Region Director, Texas Tech University, 2579 South Loop 289, Suite 114, Lubbock, TX 79423-1637, [phone].

Ms. Diane Wolverton, State Director, University of Wyoming, P.O. Box 3922, Laramie, WY 82071, [phone].

Mr. Max Summers, State Director, University of Missouri, Suite 300, University Place, Columbia, MO 65211, [phone].

Mr. Jon Ryan, State Director, Iowa State University, 137 Lynn Avenue, Ames, IA 50010, [phone].

Mr. James L. King, State Director, State University of New York, SUNY Plaza, S-523, Albany, NY 12246, [phone].

Ms. Holly Schick, State Director, Ohio Department of Development, 77 South High Street, Columbus, OH 43226-1001, [phone].

Mr. Donald L. Kelpinski, State Director, Vermont Technical College, P.O. Box 188, Randolph Center, VT 05061-0188, [phone].

Mr. Warren Bush, SBDC Director, University of the Virgin Islands, 8000 Nisky Center, Suite 720, St. Thomas, US VI 00802-5804, [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jean Z. Smith, Acting Deputy Associate Administrator for SBDCs, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street, SW., Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20416.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description of the SBDC Program

A partnership exists between SBA and an SBDC. SBDCs offer training, counseling and other business development assistance to small businesses. Each SBDC provides services under a negotiated Cooperative Agreement with SBA, the general management and oversight of SBA, and a state plan initially approved by the Governor. Non-Federal funds must match Federal funds. An SBDC must operate according to law, the Cooperative Agreement, SBA's regulations, the annual Program Announcement, and program guidance.

Program Objectives

The SBDC program uses Federal funds to leverage the resources of states, academic institutions and the private sector to:

(a) Strengthen the small business community;

(b) Increase economic growth;

(c) Assist more small businesses; and

(d) Broaden the delivery system to more small businesses.

SBDC Program Organization

The lead SBDC operates a statewide or regional network of SBDC service centers. An SBDC must have a full-time Director. SBDCs must use at least 80 percent of the Federal funds to provide services to small businesses. SBDCs use volunteers and other low cost resources as much as possible.

SBDC Services

An SBDC must have a full range of business development and technical assistance services in its area of operations, depending upon local needs, SBA priorities and SBDC program objectives. Services include training and counseling to existing and prospective small business owners in management, marketing, finance, operations, planning, taxes, and any other general or technical area of assistance that supports small business growth.

The SBA district office and the SBDC must agree upon the specific mix of services. They should give particular attention to SBA's priority and special emphasis groups, including veterans, women, exporters, the disabled, and minorities.

SBDC Program Requirements

An SBDC must meet programmatic and financial requirements imposed by statute, regulations or its Cooperative Agreement. The SBDC must:

(a) Locate service centers so that they are as accessible as possible to small businesses;

(b) Open all service centers at least 40 hours per week, or during the normal business hours of its state or academic Host Organization, throughout the year;

(c) Develop working relationships with financial institutions, the investment community, professional associations, private consultants and small business groups; and

(d) Maintain lists of private consultants at each service center.

Dated: April 8, 2004.

Jean Z. Smith,

Acting Deputy Associate Administrator for Small Business Development Centers.