Title 13—Business Credit and Assistance--Volume 1
PART 306—TRAINING, RESEARCH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE INVESTMENTS
§ 306.1   Purpose and scope.
(a) Local and National Technical Assistance Investments may be awarded to:
(1) Determine the causes of excessive unemployment, underemployment, low per capita income, outmigration or other problems throughout the nation;
(2) Formulate and implement economic development tools, models, and innovative techniques that will alleviate or prevent conditions of excessive unemployment or underemployment;
(3) Formulate and implement economic development programs to increase local, regional and national capacity;
(4) Evaluate the effectiveness and economic impact of programs, projects and techniques to alleviate economic distress and promote economic development;
(5) Conduct project planning and feasibility studies;
(6) Provide management and operational assistance;
(7) Establish business outreach centers;
(8) Disseminate information about effective programs, projects and techniques that alleviate conditions of economic distress and promote economic development;
(9) Assess, market and establish business clusters and associations; or
(10) Perform other activities determined by EDA to be appropriate under the Local and National Technical Assistance program.
(b) Investment Assistance may not be used to start or expand a private business.
(c) EDA may identify specific training, research or technical assistance Projects it will fund, 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.
(d) In providing Local and National Technical Assistance under this subpart, EDA, in addition to making Investments, may:
(1) Provide Local and National Technical Assistance through officers or employees of the Department;
(2) Pay funds made available to carry out this subpart to Federal Agencies; or
(3) Employ private individuals, partnerships, businesses, corporations, or appropriate institutions under contracts entered into for this purpose.
§ 306.2   Award requirements.
EDA selects Projects for Local and National Technical Assistance Investments in accordance with the general evaluation and selection criteria set forth in part 301 of this chapter and the extent to which the Project:
(a) Strengthens the capacity of local, State or national organizations and institutions to undertake and promote effective economic development programs targeted to Regions of distress;
(b) Benefits distressed Regions;
(c) Demonstrates innovative approaches to stimulate economic development in distressed Regions;
(d) Is consistent with an EDA-approved CEDS, as applicable, for the Region in which the Project is located; and
(e) Meets the criteria outlined in the applicable FFO.
§ 306.3   Application requirements.
(a) EDA will provide Investment Assistance under this subpart for the period of time required to complete the Project's scope of work, generally not to exceed 12 to 18 months.
(b) For a Project of significant Regional or national scope, EDA may waive the requirement set forth in § 301.2(b) of this chapter that the non-profit organization act in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State.
(c) The Investment Rate for Investments under this subpart shall be determined in accordance with § 301.4(b)(4) of this chapter.
§ 306.4   Purpose and scope.
The University Center Economic Development Program is intended to help improve the economies of distressed Regions. Institutions of higher education have many assets, such as faculty, staff, libraries, laboratories, and computer systems that can address local economic problems and opportunities. With Investment Assistance, institutions of higher education establish and operate research centers (“ University Centers” ) that provide technical assistance to public and private sector organizations with the goal of enhancing local economic development.
§ 306.5   Award requirements.
EDA provides Investment Assistance to University Center Projects in accordance with the general evaluation and selection criteria set forth in part 301 of this chapter, the competitive selection process outlined in the applicable FFO, and the extent to which the Project:
(a) Addresses the economic development needs, issues and opportunities of the Region and will benefit distressed areas in the Region;
(b) Provides service and value that are unique and will maximize coordination with other organizations in the Region;
(c) Has the commitment and support (both financial and non-financial) of the highest management levels of the sponsoring institution;
(d) Outlines activities consistent with the expertise of the proposed staff, academic programs and other resources available within the sponsoring institution; and
(e) Documents past experience of the sponsoring institution in operating technical assistance programs.
§ 306.6   Application requirements.
(a) EDA will provide Investment Assistance under this subpart for the period of time required to complete the Project's scope of work, as specifically outlined in the applicable FFO.
(b) For a Project of significant Regional or national scope, EDA may waive the requirement set forth in § 301.2(b) of this chapter that the non-profit organization act in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State.
(c) The Investment Rate for Investments under this subpart shall be determined in accordance with § 301.4(b)(4) of this chapter.
(d) At least 80 percent of EDA funding must be allocated to direct costs of program delivery.
§ 306.7   Performance evaluations of University Centers.
(a) EDA will:
(1) Evaluate each University Center within three years after the initial Investment award and at least once every three years thereafter, so long as such University Center continues to receive Investment Assistance; and
(2) Assess the University Center's contribution to providing technical assistance, conducting applied research, meeting program performance objectives (as evidenced by retention and creation of employment opportunities) and disseminating Project results in accordance with the scope of work funded during the evaluation period.
(b) The performance evaluation will determine in part whether a University Center can compete to receive Investment Assistance under the University Center Economic Development Program for the following Investment Assistance cycle.
(c) For peer review, EDA shall ensure the participation of at least one other University Center in the performance evaluation on a cost-reimbursement basis.