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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 8, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6517-6518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2743]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration

13 CFR Parts 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 310, 311, 
and 314

RIN 0610-XA08
[Docket No. 120202093-2093-01]

Economic Development Administration Regulatory Revision; Comment 
Period Extension

AGENCY: Economic Development Administration (EDA), Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On December 7, 2011, the Department of Commerce's Economic 
Development Administration (EDA) published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register proposing and requesting 
public input on changes to EDA's operating regulations (76 FR 76492). 
EDA originally requested comments on the NPRM by February 6, 2012. From 
January 24, 2012 through February 1, 2012, EDA's Web site experienced 
technical difficulties, and the online feature for submitting comments 
on this rulemaking through EDA's Web site was unavailable. Although the 
other methods for submitting comments--the Federal eRulemaking Portal 
and regular mail to EDA's office--remained available during this 
period, EDA wants to ensure stakeholders have the maximum amount of 
time and optimal access to provide EDA with comments on its proposed 
regulatory changes. Therefore, EDA publishes this notice to extend the 
deadline for submitting comments on the December 7, 2011 NPRM to 
February 15, 2012.

DATES: Comments must be received or postmarked if submitting by mail no 
later than 5 p.m Eastern Time on February 15, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Comments will continue to be accepted by the following 
methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Agency Web Site: http://www.eda.gov/. EDA has created an 
online feature for submitting comments. Please follow the instructions 
at http://www.eda.gov/.
     Mail: Economic Development Administration, Office of Chief 
Counsel, Room 5718, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution 
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230. Please indicate ``Comments on EDA's 
regulations'' and Docket No. 110726429-1418-01 on the envelope.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamie Lipsey, Acting Deputy Chief 
Counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Economic Development Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 5718, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20230; telephone (202) 482-4687.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EDA's regulations, which are codified 13 CFR 
chapter III, provide the framework through which the agency administers 
its economic development assistance programs. In 2011, EDA requested 
comments on these regulations from stakeholders and the public, and 
conducted an internal review of the regulations, to ensure they reflect 
and incentivize innovation and collaboration and reflect best practices 
in economic development. In the December 7, 2011 NPRM (76 FR 76492), 
EDA proposed changes to these regulations and requested public input on 
the proposed changes. EDA's Web site recently experienced technical 
difficulties that made it impossible for

[[Page 6518]]

members of the public to comment on the proposed rule through EDA's Web 
site. This issue has since been resolved. However, because of strong 
interest in this initiative, and to ensure stakeholders and the public 
have ample time and optimal access to comment on these changes, EDA is 
extending the deadline for submitting comments from February 6, 2012 to 
February 15, 2012.
    Comments should be submitted to EDA as described in ADDRESSES 
above. EDA encourages using the online feature of the agency's Web site 
to submit comments and suggestions to EDA's proposed regulatory 
changes. The Web site is easily accessible at http://www.eda.gov/, and 
offers participants an opportunity to view the comments of others. EDA 
will consider all comments submitted electronically by 5 p.m. Eastern 
Time on February 15, 2012, or that are postmarked by that date, as 
referenced in DATES above. EDA will not accept public comments 
accompanied by a request that part or all of the material submitted by 
treated confidentiality for any reason; EDA will not consider such 
comments and will return them and their accompanying materials to the 
commenter. All public comments (including those faxed or emailed to the 
agency) submitted in response to this notice must be in writing and 
will be a matter of public record.

    Dated: February 2, 2012.
Jamie Lipsey,
Acting Deputy Chief Counsel, Economic Development Administration.
[FR Doc. 2012-2743 Filed 2-7-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-24-P
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