94-14831. Action Subject to Intergovernmental Review

[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 116 (Friday, June 17, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14831]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 17, 1994]


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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
 

Action Subject to Intergovernmental Review

AGENCY: Small Business Administration.

ACTION: Notice of Action Subject to Intergovernmental Review Under 
Executive Order 12372.

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SUMMARY: This notice provides for public awareness of SBA's intention 
to refund twenty-two existing Small Business Development Centers 
(SBDCs) on October 1, 1994. Currently there are 56 SBDCs operating in 
the SBDC program. The following SBDCs are intended to be refunded, 
subject to the availability of funds: Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, 
Delaware, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, 
Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Dallas, Houston, 
Lubbock, San Antonio, Vermont, Virgin Islands, and West Virginia. This 
notice also provides a description of the SBDC program by setting forth 
a condensed version of the program announcement which has been 
furnished to each of the SBDCs to be refunded. This publication is 
being made to provide the State single points of contact, designated 
pursuant to Executive Order 12372, and other interested State and local 
entities, the opportunity to comment on the proposed refunding in 
accord with the Executive Order and SBA's regulations found at 13 CFR 
Part 135.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 15, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Ms. Johnnie L. Albertson, 
Associate Administrator for SBDC Program, U.S. Small Business 
Administration, 409 Third Street SW., Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 
20416.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Same as above.

Action Subject to Intergovernmental Review

    SBA is bound by the provisions of Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' SBA has promulgated 
regulations spelling out its obligations under that Executive Order. 
See 13 CFR Part 135, effective September 30, 1983.
    In accord with these regulations, specifically 135.4, SBA is 
publishing this notice to provide public awareness of the pending 
application of twenty-two existing Small Business Development Centers 
(SBDCs) for refunding. Also published herewith is an annotated program 
announcement describing the SBDC program in detail.
    This notice is being published three months in advance of the 
expected date of refunding these SBDCs. Relevant information 
identifying these SBDCs and providing their mailing address is provided 
below. In addition to this publication, a copy of this notice is being 
simultaneously furnished to the affected State single point of contact 
which has been established under the Executive Order.
    The State single points of contact and other interested State and 
local entities are expected to advise the relevant SBDC of their 
comments regarding the proposed refunding in writing as soon as 
possible. The SBDC proposal cannot be inconsistent with any area-wide 
plan providing assistance to small business, if there is one, which has 
been adopted by an agency recognized by the State government as 
authorized to do so. Copies of such written comments should also be 
furnished to Ms. Johnnie L. Albertson, Associate Administrator for SBDC 
Program, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street, SW., 
Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20416. Comments will be accepted by the 
relevant SBDC and SBA for a period of 90 days from the date of 
publication of this notice. The relevant SBDC will make every effort to 
accommodate these comments during the 90-day period. If the comments 
cannot be accommodated by the relevant SBDC, SBA will, prior to 
refunding the SBDC, either attain accommodation of any comments or 
furnish an explanation of why accommodation cannot be attained to the 
commentor prior to refunding the SBDC.

Description of the SBDC Program

    The SBDC operates under the general management and oversight of 
SBA, but with recognition that a partnership exists between the Agency 
and the SBDC for the delivery of assistance to the small business 
community. SBDC services shall be provided pursuant to a negotiated 
Cooperative Agreement with full participation of both parties.
    SBDCs operate on the basis of a state plan to provide assistance 
within a state or designated geographical area. The initial plan must 
have the written approval of the Governor. As a condition to any 
financial award made to an applicant, non-Federal funds must be 
provided from sources other than the Federal Government. SBDCs operate 
under the provisions of P.L. 96-302, as amended by P.L. 98-395, a 
Notice of Award (Cooperative Agreement) issued by SBA, and the 
provisions of this Program Announcement.

Purpose and Scope

    The SBDC Program is designed to provide quality assistance to small 
businesses in order to promote growth, expansion, innovation, increased 
productivity and management improvement. To accomplish these 
objectives, SBDCs link resources of the Federal, State, and local 
governments with the resources of the educational system and the 
private sector to meet the specialized and complex needs of the small 
business community. SBDCs also coordinate with other SBA programs of 
business development and utilize the expertise of these affiliated 
resources to expand services and avoid duplication of effort.

Program Objectives

    The overall objective of the SBDC Program is to leverage Federal 
dollars and resources with those of the state, academic community and 
private sector to:
    (a) strengthen the small business community;
    (b) contribute to the economic growth of the communities served;
    (c) make assistance available to more small businesses than is now 
possible with present Federal resources;
    (d) create a broader based delivery system to the small business 
community.

SBDC Program Organization

    SBDCs are organized to provide maximum services to the local small 
business community. The lead SBDC receives financial assistance from 
the SBA to operate a statewide SBDC Program. In states where more than 
one organization receives SBA financial assistance to operate an SBDC, 
each lead SBDC is responsible for Program operations throughout a 
specific regional area to be served by the SBDC. The lead SBDC is 
responsible for establishing a network of SBDC subcenters to offer 
service coverage to the small business community. The SBDC network is 
managed and directed by a full-time Director. SBDCs must ensure that at 
least 80 percent of Federal funds provided are used to provide services 
to small businesses. To the extent possible, SBDCs provide services by 
enlisting volunteer and other low cost resources on a statewide basis.

SBDC Services

    The specific types of services to be offered are developed in 
coordination with the SBA district office which has jurisdiction over a 
given SBDC. SBDCs emphasize the provision of indepth, high-quality 
assistance to small business owners or prospective small business 
owners in complex areas that require specialized expertise. These areas 
may include, but are not limited to: management, marketing, financing, 
accounting, strategic planning, regulation and taxation, capital 
formation, procurement assistance, human resource management, 
production, operations, economic and business data analysis, 
engineering, technology transfer, innovation and research, new product 
development, product analysis, plant layout and design, agri-business, 
computer application, business law information, and referral (any legal 
services beyond basic legal information, and referral require the 
endorsement of the State Bar Association), exporting, office 
automation, site selection, or any other areas of assistance required 
to promote small business growth, expansion, and productivity within 
the State. The SBDC shall also ensure that a full range of business 
development and technical assistance services are made available to 
small businesses located in rural areas.
    The degree to which SBDC resources are directed towards specific 
areas of assistance is determined by local community needs, SBA 
priorities and SBDC Program objectives and agreed upon by the SBA 
district office and the SBDC.
    The SBDC must offer quality training to improve the skills and 
knowledge of existing and prospective small business owners. As a 
general guideline, SBDCs should emphasize the provision of training in 
specialized areas other than basic small business management subjects. 
SBDCs should also emphasize training designed to reach particular 
audiences such as members of SBA priority and special emphasis groups.

SBDC Program Requirements

    The SBDC is responsible to the SBA for ensuring that all 
programmatic and financial requirements imposed upon them by statute or 
agreement are met. The SBDC must assure that quality assistance and 
training in management and technical areas are provided to the State 
small business community through the State SBDC network. As a condition 
of this agreement, the SBDC must perform, but not be limited to, the 
following activities:
    (a) the SBDC ensures that services are provided as close as 
possible to small business population centers. This is accomplished 
through the establishment of SBDC subcenters.
    (b) the SBDC ensures that lists of local and regional private 
consultants are maintained at the lead SBDC and each SBDC subcenter. 
The SBDC utilizes and provides compensation to qualified small business 
vendors such as private management consultants, private consulting 
engineers, and private testing laboratories.
    (c) the SBDC is responsible for the development and expansion of 
resources within the State, particularly the development of new 
resources to assist small businesses that are not presently associated 
with the SBA district office.
    (d) the SBDC ensures that working relationships and open 
communications exist within the financial and investment communities, 
and with legal associations, private consultants, as well as small 
business groups and associations to help address the needs of the small 
business community.
    (e) the SBDC ensures that assistance is provided to SBA special 
emphasis groups throughout the SBDC network. This assistance shall be 
provided to veterans, women, exporters, the handicapped, and minorities 
as well as any other groups designated a priority by SBA. Services 
provided to special emphasis groups shall be performed as part of the 
Cooperative Agreement.

Advance Understandings

    The Lead SBDC and all SBDC subcenters shall operate on a forty (40) 
hour week basis, or during the normal business hours of the State or 
Host Organization, throughout the calendar year.
    The amount of time allowed the Lead SBDC and subcenters for staff 
vacations and holidays shall conform to the policy of the Host 
organization.

    Dated: June 8, 1994.
Erskine B. Bowles,
Administrator.

Addresses of Relevant SBDC State Directors

Mr. Robert McKinley, Region Director, Univ. of Texas at San Antonio, 
1222 North Main Street, San Antonio, TX 78212, [phone]
Mr. John P. O'Connor, State Director, University of Connecticut, Box U-
41, Room 422, Storrs, CT 06269-2041, [phone]
Mr. Ronald Manning, State Director, Iowa State University, 137 Lynn 
Avenue, Ames, IA 50010, [phone]
Ms. Liz Klimback, Region Director, Dallas Community College, 1402 
Corinth Street, Dallas, TX 75212, [phone]
Mr. John Ciccarelli, State Director, University of Massachusetts, 
School of Management, Amherst, MA 01003, [phone]
Mr. Raleigh Byars, State Director, University of Mississippi, Old 
Chemistry Building, University, MS 38677, [phone]
Mr. James L. King, State Director, State University of New York, SUNY 
Plaza, S-523, Albany, NY 12246, [phone]
Mr. Jose Romaguera, Director, University of Puerto Rico, Box 5253--
College Station, Mayaguez, PR 00681, [phone]
Mr. Clinton Tymes, State Director, University of Delaware, Suite 005--
Purnell Hall, Newark, DE 19711, [phone]
Ms. Janet Holloway, State Director, University of Kentucky, 225 
Business & Economics Bldg., Lexington, KY 40506-0034, [phone]
Mr. Woodrow McCutchen, State Director, Department of Economic and 
Employment Development, 217 East Redwood St., 9th Floor, Baltimore, MD 
21202, [phone]
Mr. Robert Stevens, Acting State Director, Wayne State University, 2727 
Second Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201, [phone]
Mr. Max Summers, State Director, University of Missouri, Suite 300, 
University Place, Columbia, MO 65211, [phone]
Ms. Holly Schick, State Director, Ohio Department of Development, 77 
South High Street, Columbus, OH 43226-1001, [phone]
Dr. Elizabeth Gatewood, Region Director, University of Houston, 1100 
Louisiana, Suite 500, Houston, TX 77002, [phone]
Mr. Donald L. Kelpinski, State Director, Vermont Technical College, 
P.O. Box 422, Randolph Center, VT 05060, [phone]
Ms. Hazel Kroesser, State Director, Governor's Office of Community and 
Industrial Development, 1115 Virginia Street, East Charleston, WV 
25310, [phone]
Mr. Craig Bean, Region Director, Texas Tech University, 2579 South Loop 
289, Suite 114, Lubbock, TX 79423-1637, [phone]
Mr. Chester Williams, Director, University of the Virgin Islands, 8000 
Nisky Center, Suite 202, St. Thomas, US V. Islands 00802, (809) 776-
3206
[FR Doc. 94-14831 Filed 6-16-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025-01-M