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###### Department of Agriculture

###### Office of the Secretary 

# AGENCY:

Office of the Secretary, USDA. 

# ACTION:

Notice inviting applications. 

# SUMMARY:

This Notice invites applications from state and local governments, Indian tribal governments, regional planning agencies, non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, or other locally-based organizations on behalf of rural areas nominated for designation as Empowerment Zones (EZ) as this term is defined in this Notice and title 7 Code of Federal Regulations part 25 (7 CFR part 25). An application may be prepared and submitted by any one of a broad range of entities; however, the rural area in question must be nominated for designation by the State, local or Indian tribal government having jurisdiction over the nominated area. Title 7 part 25 provides guidance which is supplemental to that provided in this Notice and which is necessary for completion and submission of applications. 

# ADDRESSES:

Application materials may be obtained from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development offices listed in appendix A to this Notice or by sending an Internet Mail message to “round3.rural@ocdx.usda.gov”. 

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Deputy Administrator, USDA Office of Community Development, Reporters Building, 300 7th Street, SW, Room 266, Washington, DC 20024-3203, telephone 1-800-645-4712, or send an Internet e-mail message to “round3.rural@ocdx.usda.gov.” Information may also be obtained at “http://www.ezec.gov/​round3”. 

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## Paperwork Reduction Act 

The information collection requirements contained in this Notice have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB Control Number 0570-0027. 

## I. Background 

The Empowerment Zone program represents a holistic approach to the problems of distressed rural and urban communities. It emphasizes a bottom-up community based strategy rather than the traditional top-down bureaucratic approach. It is a strategy to address economic, human, community, physical development problems and opportunities in a comprehensive fashion. 

The Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-554) authorized the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Secretary) to designate up to two Empowerment Zones (“Round III”) in addition to those rural empowerment zones and enterprise communities designated earlier. 

This Notice invites applications from State and local governments, Indian tribal governments, regional planning agencies, non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, or other locally-based organizations on behalf of rural areas nominated for designation as Empowerment Zones in this third round. 

Applications submitted for designation as a Round III Rural Empowerment Zone may also be considered, and used as the sole basis for designation, for any additional Enterprise Communities or other special community designations authorized by Congress prior to the date by which designations of Round III Empowerment Zones are required to be made. 

The program is intended to combine the resources of the Federal Government with those of State and local governments, educational institutions and the private and non-profit sectors to implement community-developed strategic plans for community and economic development. The Federal Government has taken steps to coordinate Federal assistance in support of the Empowerment Zones, including expedited processing and priority funding. 

## II. Eligibility 

                    The authorizing legislation specifies certain criteria that must be satisfied in order for an area to be eligible for Empowerment Zone designation, including population, general distress, geographic size and boundary configuration, and poverty rate by census tract (or by block numbering areas when the community is not delineated by census tracts; nominated areas in Alaska and Hawaii have the option of qualifying by block groups). The details of these requirements are described in 7 CFR part 25 of the                     **Federal Register**                    . Unless specified otherwise, the terms used in this Notice, inclusive of the appendices, shall be defined as contained in 7 CFR part 25.                 

USDA will accept certifications of the data by the State and local governments, subject to further verification of the data prior to designation as an Empowerment Zone. 

## III. Designation Factors 

The statute specifies three factors to be considered by the Secretary in designating Empowerment Zones: (1) The effectiveness of the strategic plan; (2) the effectiveness of the assurances provided in support of the strategic plan; and (3) other criteria to be specified by the Secretary. Each of these factors is discussed in greater detail in 7 CFR part 25. The required form and content of the application and the strategic plan are elaborated upon in this Notice. 

## IV. Timing and Location of Application Submissions 

                    Application materials may be obtained from USDA Rural Development offices listed in Appendix A of this Notice or by sending an Internet e-mail message to: “round3.rural@ocdx.usda.gov”. They are also available at the following website: “http://www.ezec.gov/​round3”. The deadline for receipt of the complete application is 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday, October 1, 2001. Applications received after that time will not be accepted, and will be returned to the sender. Since applications require certifications from the State and local governments, we cannot accept applications sent by FAX or through the Internet system. Applications must be submitted on standard 8                    1/2                    ″ × 11″ paper and contained                           ( print page 30152)                        in standard 3″ 3-ring binders. The original application and two paper copies should be sent to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Community Development, Reporters Building, 300 7th Street, SW, Room 266, Washington, DC 20024. No video or audio tapes, posters, display boards, or other accompanying material will be accepted as part of the Application.                 

Applicants will be notified in the event of an incomplete application. Provided that the application is received at the above address with sufficient time before the deadline, applicants will be given an opportunity to provide the missing information to USDA. 

## V. Notice of Intent To Participate 

Prospective applicants are encouraged to complete and submit a Notice of Intent to Participate substantially in the form provided in appendix B to this Notice. A Notice form is included in the application materials; it may also be obtained by sending an Internet e-mail message to “round3.rural@ocdx.usda.gov”. Applicants may also submit the notice via the Internet by filling out the form on-line at the following website: “http://www.ezec.gov/​round3”. Applicants and other participants may wish to submit the form in order to be placed on the Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community mailing list. While the notice is not mandatory for participation in the program, USDA encourages the submission of the notice, as it will permit the Department to provide prospective applicants with updated information on program requirements as well as information on technical assistance. 

## VI. Application materials 

A. Application materials available from USDA consist of the following: 

(1) Round III application form and 

(2) Round III application guide.

B. The Application to be submitted on behalf of nominated rural areas shall include the following (“Application”): 

(1) A nomination package including: 

(a) Round III application form parts I through IV; and 

(b) The required certifications and written assurances contained in 7 CFR § 25.200(b) which are not otherwise included in part III of the Round III application form; 

(2) A strategic plan which meets the requirements of 7 CFR part 25 and the form and content requirements specified in section VII of this Notice; and 

(3) Maps. Attach a copy of a map that shows the 1990 census boundaries of: 

(a) The local governments discussed in part I of the Application Form (Nomination); 

(b) The nominated area; and 

(c) Developable sites, if any. 

## VII. Strategic plan 

A. The strategic plan to be submitted on behalf of the nominated area shall conform with the requirements contained in 7 CFR § 25.202 and § 25.204. Each major section of the strategic plan should address how the plan will achieve the four key principal objectives contained in 7 CFR § 25.202. 

B. The strategic plan must be organized into two separate volumes. Each volume should prominently identify the nominated area and be organized and labeled in the following sections and specified sequence. 

                    C.                     *Volume I of the Strategic Plan (“Documentation”).*                     Volume I must include the following sections and content:                 

                    (1)                     *Section 1—Participants.*

(a) Applicant and Lead entities: the name, address, description and primary contact person for the entity that will be the lead managing entity for the proposed Empowerment Zone. Clarify whether the applicant entity is different from the proposed lead managing entity; if so, provide the same information for the applicant entity; 

(b) Participating entities: a list of and descriptions of the specific groups, organizations, and individuals participating in the production of the strategic plan, and descriptions of the history of these groups in the community; and 

(c) An explanation of how participants in the planning process were selected and evidence that the participants, taken as a whole, are broadly representative of the entire community. 

                    (2)                     *Section 2—The Planning Process.*

(a) Descriptions of how the participants created and developed the strategic plan; 

(b) Identification of two or three topics addressed in the strategic plan that caused the most serious disagreements among participants and a description of how those disagreements were resolved; and (c) An explanation of how the community residents and key organizations participated in choosing the area to be nominated and why the area was nominated. 

                    (3)                     *Section 3—Eligibility.*

(a) Include information not otherwise provided in the application form, or use this section if additional space is needed to provide eligibility information; and 

(b) Maps and a general description of the nominated area. 

                    (4)                     *Section 4—Economic and Social Conditions.*                     Detailed statistical information, including tabular and graphical information, not included in volume II, should be included in this section.                 

                    (5)                     *Section 5—Implementation.*                     This section should include:                 

(a) Descriptions of the roles which each participating entity, identified in volume I, section 1, will have in implementing the strategic plan; and 

(b) Evidence that key participating entities have the capacity to implement the strategic plan. 

                    (6)                     *Section 6—Public Information.*                     This section should include newspaper clippings, photographs, news releases and other materials relating to the community and its strategic planning process.                 

                    (7)                     *Section 7—Letters of Support.*                     Letters of support are limited to those that pledge either monetary or in-kind resources toward the implementation of the strategic plan. Letters of support may be submitted as part of the Application and should be grouped in this section of the strategic plan.                 

                    D.                     *Volume II of the Strategic Plan (“Plan”), Part I.*                     Volume II must contain four major subparts of which part I must include the following sections and content:                 

                    (1)                     *Section 1—Vision and Values.*                     The community's strategic vision for change—a statement of what the community would like to be like in the future together with a statement of the community's values which guided its planning process and which will guide its implementation of the strategic plan.                 

                    (2)                     *Section 2—Community Assessment.*                     A comprehensive assessment of existing conditions and trends in the nominated area in two subsections:                 

(a) Assessment of Problems and Opportunities. A description and assessment of problems and opportunities. This subsection must identify those baseline conditions which the community wishes to improve as a result of the strategic plan. It may include priority rankings by the community of problems and opportunities to be addressed by the strategic plan. 

(b) Resource Analysis. An assessment of the resources available to the community, including financial, technical, leadership, volunteerism, skills and other community assets which may be tapped in implementing the strategic plan. 

                    (3)                     *Section 3—Goals.*                     A statement of a comprehensive and holistic set of goals to be achieved through implementation of the strategic plan throughout the 10-                          ( print page 30153)                        year implementation period. This section should also include an index of topics and related benchmark activities which are incorporated in the strategic plan (education, criminal justice, economic development, housing, health care, water and sewer, etc.) so as to facilitate the sharing of information across Federal agencies such that they may more readily recognize how they may be able to support the Empowerment Zone during the implementation phase.                 

                    (4)                     *Section 4—Strategies.*                     A statement of the strategies the community proposes to use to achieve its strategic plan, in particular, the principal objectives of economic opportunity and sustainable community development contained in 7 CFR 25.202(a)(3) and (a)(4).                 

                    E.                     *Volume II of the Strategic Plan (“Plan”), Part II.*                     The second major subpart of volume II must include the following sections and content:                 

                    (1)                     *Section 1—Phase I work plan.*                     The information required pursuant to 7 CFR 25.403(c)(1) for the initial two years of the designation period.                 

                    (2)                     *Section 2—Phase I operational budget.*                     The information required pursuant to 7 CFR 25.402(c)(2) for the initial two years of the designation period.                 

                    F.                     *Volume II of the Strategic Plan (“Plan”), Part III.*                     The third major subpart of volume II should be titled “Continuous Quality Improvement Plan.” Part III should present the community's plan for evaluating and learning from its experiences. It should also detail the methods by which the community will assess its own performance in implementing its benchmarks and the process it will use for revising its strategic plan and benchmark goals. Part III should include the following sections and content:                 

                    (1)                     *Section 1—Participation.*                     The proposed procedures for assuring continuous, broad based community participation in the implementation of the strategic plan;                 

                    (2)                     *Section 2—Incorporation of experiences.*                     The methods proposed for incorporating learning from experience gained during implementation of the strategic plan and from information obtained from other sources into revisions of the strategic plan, benchmark goals and implementation methods and procedures;                 

                    (3)                     *Section 3—Benchmark review.*                     The proposed procedure for reviewing benchmark progress within the community; and                 

                    (4)                     *Section 4—Benchmark amendment.*                     The proposed procedure for amending and revising benchmark goals and benchmark activities.                 

                    G.                     *Volume II of the Strategic Plan (“Plan”), Part IV.*                     The fourth major subpart of volume II should be titled “Administration Plan”. Part IV should present the community's plan for administering the implementation of the strategic plan. It should include the following sections:                 

                    (1)                     *Section 1—Lead entity.*                     The name of the proposed lead entity organization, its existing and planned future legal status and authority to receive and administer funds pursuant to Federal and State and other nonprofit programs;                 

                    (2)                     *Section 2—Capacity.*                     Evidence, including an audited financial statement as of the most recent fiscal year, that the lead entity and other key organizations implementing the strategic plan have the capacity to implement the strategic plan. If the lead entity is not yet established, provide evidence of its proposed capitalization;                 

                    (3)                     *Section 3—Board membership.*                     The membership of the proposed Empowerment Zone board and the selection procedures;                 

                    (4)                     *Section 4—Partnerships.*                     The relationship between the Empowerment Zone board and local governments and other major regional and community organizations operating in the same geographic area;                 

                    (5)                     *Section 5—Public information.*                     The proposed methods by which citizens of the Empowerment Zone and partnership organizations will be kept informed about the Empowerment Zone's activities and progress in implementing the strategic plan;                 

                    (6)                     *Section 6—Public participation.*                     The methods and procedures by which the Empowerment Zone proposes to implement the principal objective of community based partnerships pursuant to 7 CFR 25.202(a)(2).                 

## VIII. Counties Which Meet the Outmigration Test for Purposes of 7 CFR 25.104(b)(2)(iii)

For purposes of volume I, section 3—Eligibility, counties which meet the outmigration test for purposes of 7 CFR 25.104(b)(2)(iii) are listed in appendix C to this Notice. 

## IX. Round III Champion Communities 

Champion Communities will be selected from those rural communities which applied for designation as an Empowerment Zone and, despite having met all requirements for selection, were not so designated. State Rural Development Directors and staff will work with Champion Communities to provide support, guidance and technical assistance in strategic planning and implementation efforts, if the Champion Community elects to execute a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Rural Development. To the extent possible, preferential consideration will be given to Champion Communities when processing applications for loans and grants for Rural Development Programs. 

## X. Memorandum of Agreement 

It is expected that a MOA will be entered into relating to each designated Round III Empowerment Zone. The MOA shall conform in all material respects to the form of MOA provided in appendix D to this Notice. 

## XI. Miscellaneous 

Empowerment Zone designation does not constitute a Federal action for provisions of the Uniform Relocation Act. However, any activity constituting a Federal action that may result from such a designation may be subject to the provisions of this Act, as well as any other statutory or regulatory provisions governing the particular Federal action. 

All designation reviews will be conducted in compliance with Federal civil rights laws. 

Dated: May 25, 2001.

Ann M. Veneman,

Secretary.

### List of  Appendices

A—Rural Development State EZ-EC State Contacts 

B—Notice of Intent To Participate 

C—Counties Which Meet the Outmigration Test 

D—Form of Memorandum of Agreement 

# Appendix A: EZ/EC State Contacts 

## Alabama 

State Director, Rural Development, Sterling Center, 4121 Carmichael Road/Suite 601, Montgomery, AL 36106-3683, phone: 334-279-3400, fax: 334-279-3403.

## Alaska 

State Director, Rural Development, 800 W. Evergreen, Suite 201, Palmer, AK 99645-6539, phone: 907-761-7700, fax: 907-761-7783.

## Arizona 

State Director, Rural Development, Phoenix Corporate Center, 3003 North Central Avenue, Suite 900, Phoenix, AZ 85012-2906, phone: 602-280-8707, fax: 602-808-8770.

## Arkansas 

                        State Director, Rural Development, 700 W Capitol Avenue, Room 3416, Little Rock, AR 72201-3225, phone: 501-301-3200, fax: 501-301-3278.                               ( print page 30154)    

## California 

State Director, Rural Development, 430 G. Street, #4169, Davis, CA 95616-4169, phone: 530-792-5800, fax: 530-792-5837. 

## Colorado 

State Director, Rural Development, 655 Parfet Street, Room E-100, Lakewood, CO 80215, phone: 303-236-2801 Ext. 134, fax: 303-236-2854. 

## Delaware/Maryland 

State Director, Rural Development, 5201 South Dupont Highway, P.O. Box 400, Camden, DE 19934, phone: 302-697-4304, fax: 302-697-4390. 

## Florida/Virgin Islands 

State Director, Rural Development, 4440 N.W. 25th Pl., P.O. Box 147010, Gainesville, FL 32614-7010, phone: 352-338-3402, fax: 352-338-3405. 

## Georgia 

State Director, Rural Development, 355 E. Hancock Ave., Athens, GA 30601-2768, phone: 706-546-2162, fax: 706-546-2152. 

## Hawaii 

State Director, Rural Development, Federal Building, Room 311, 154 Waianuenue Ave, Hilo, HI 96720, phone: 808-933-8302, fax: 808-933-8325. 

## Idaho 

State Director, Rural Development, 9173 West Barms, Suite A1, Boise, ID 83709, phone: 208-378-5615, fax: 208-378-5643. 

## Illinois 

State Director, Rural Development, Illini Plaza, Suite 103, 1817 South Neil Street, Champaign, IL 61820, phone: 217-398-5235, fax: 217-398-5337. 

## Indiana 

State Director, Rural Development, 5975 Lakeside Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46278, phone: 317-290-3100 ext. 400, fax: 317-290-3095. 

## Iowa 

State Director, Rural Development, 210 Walnut Street, Federal Bldg./Room 873, Des Moines IA 50309, phone: 515-284-4663, fax: 515-284-4859. 

## Kansas 

State Director, P.O. Box 4653, 1201 SW Executive Drive, Topeka, KS 66604, phone: 785-271-2701, fax: 785-271-2708.

## Kentucky. 

State Director, Rural Development, 771 Corporate Dr., Suite 200, Lexington, KY 40503, phone: 859-224-7300, fax: 859-224-7425. 

## Louisiana 

State Director, Rural Development, 3727 Government Street, Alexandria, LA 71302, phone: 318-473-7811, fax: 318-473-7829. 

## Maine 

State Director, Rural Development, 444 Stillwater Ave., Suite 2, P.O. Box 405, Bangor, ME 04402-0405, phone: 207-990-9160, fax: 207-990-9165. 

## Massachusetts 

State Director, Rural Development, 451 West St., Amherst, MA 01002, phone: 413-253-4310, fax: 413-253-4347. 

## Michigan 

State Director, Rural Development, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200, East Lansing, MI 48823, phone: 616-745-8364, fax: 616-745-8493. 

## Minnesota 

State Director, Rural Development, 410 Agriculture Bank Building, 375 Jackson Street, St. Paul, MN 55101-1853, phone: 651-602-7801, fax: 651-602-7824. 

## Mississippi 

State Director, Rural Development, 100 W Capital St., Federal Building, Suite 831, Jackson, MS 39269, phone: 601-965-4318, fax: 601-965-5384. 

## Missouri 

State Director, Rural Development, 601 Business Loop, Parkade Center, Suite 235 , Columbia, MO 65203, phone: 573-876-0976, fax: 573-876-0977. 

## Montana 

State Director, Rural Development, 900 Technology Blvd. Suite B, P.O. Box 850, Bozeman, MT 59771, phone: 406-585-2580, fax: 406-585-2565. 

## Nebraska 

State Director, Rural Development, Federal Building, Mail Room 152, 100 Centennial Mall N., Room 308, Lincoln, NE 68508, phone: 402-437-5550, fax: 402-437-5408. 

## Nevada 

State Director, Rural Development, 1390 South Curry St., Carson City, NV 89703-9910, phone: 775-887-1222, fax: 775-885-0841. 

## New Hampshire/Vermont 

State Director, Rural Development, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, phone: 802-828-6002, fax: 802-828-6018. 

## New Jersey 

State Director, Rural Development, Tarnsfield Plaza, Suite 22, 790 Woodland Rd., Mt. Holly, NJ 08060, phone: 609-265-3600, fax: 609-265-3651. 

## New Mexico 

State Director, Rural Development, 6200 Jefferson Street NE, Room 255, Albuquerque, NM 87109, phone: 505-761-4950, fax: 505-761-4976. 

## New York 

State Director, Rural Development, The Galleries of Syracuse, 441 S. Salina Street, Suite 357, Syracuse, NY 13202-2541, phone: 315-477-6435, fax: 315-477-6438. 

## North Carolina 

State Director, Rural Development, 4405 Bland Rd, Suite 260, Raleigh NC 27609, phone: 919-873-2037, fax: 919-873-2075.

## North Dakota 

State Director, Rural Development, P.O. Box 1737, Bismarck, ND 58502, phone: 701-530-2054, fax: 701-530-2108. 

## Ohio 

State Director, Rural Development, Federal Building, Room 507, 200 North High Street, Columbus OH 43215-2418, phone: 614-255-2390, fax: 614-255-2559. 

## Oklahoma 

State Director, Rural Development, 100 USDA, Suite 108, Stillwater, OK 74074-2654, phone: 405-742-1000, fax: 405-742-1005. 

## Oregon 

State Director, Rural Development, 101 SW Main Street, Suite 1410, Portland, OR 97204-3222, phone: 503-414-3300, fax: 503-414-3386. 

## Pennsylvania 

State Director, One Credit Union Place, Suite 330, Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996, phone: 717-334-8827, fax: 717-237-2191. 

## Puerto Rico 

State Director, Rural Development, P.O. Box 366106, San Juan, PR 00936-6106, phone: 787-766-5095, fax: 787-766-5844. 

## South Carolina 

State Director, Rural Development, Strom Thurmond Federal Building, 1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007, Columbia, SC 29201, phone: 803-765-5163, fax: 803-765-5633. 

## South Dakota 

State Director, Rural Development, Federal Building, Room 210, 200 Fourth Street SW, Huron, SD 57350-2477, phone: 605-352-1100, fax: 605-352-1146. 

## Tennessee

State Director, Rural Development, 3322 West End Ave., Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37203-1084, phone: 615-783-1300, fax: 615-783-1301.

## Texas

State Director, Rural Development, 101 S. Main Street, Suite 102, Temple, TX 76501, phone: 254-742-9710, fax: 254-742-9709.

## Utah

State Director, Rural Development, Wallace F. Bennett Federal Bldg., Room 4311, Salt Lake City, UT 84147-0350, phone: 801-524-4320, fax: 801-524-4406.

## Vermont/New Hampshire

State Director, Rural Development, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, phone: 802-828-6002, fax: 802-828-6018.

## Virginia

State Director, Rural Development, Culpepper Building, Suite 238, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Richmond, VA 23229, phone: 804-287-1552, fax: 804-287-1721.

## Washington

                        State Director, Rural Development, 1835 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Suite B, Olympia, WA 98512, phone: 360-704-7715, fax: 360-704-7742.                              ( print page 30155)    

## Wisconsin

State Director, Rural Development, 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens Point, WI 54481, phone: 715-345-7676, fax: 715-345-7669.

## West Virginia

State Director, Rural Development, 75 High Street, Room 320, Morgantown, WV 26505, phone: 304-284-4860, fax: 304-284-4893.

## Wyoming

State Director, Rural Development, 100 East B, Federal Bldg. Room 1005, Casper, WY 82602, phone: 307-261-6300, fax: 307-261-6327.

# Appendix B

## Notice of Intent to Participate

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Community Development, Reporters Building, 300 Seventh Street, SW., Room 266, Washington, DC 20024.

# Note:

Rural entities may:

(1) fax this notice to (202) 260-6225;

(2) submit this notice via e-mail to “round3.rural@ocdx.usda.gov”; or

(3) submit it electronically via the following website: “http://www.ezec.gov/​round3”.

This Notice of Intent to Participate in the Rural Empowerment Zone application process is submitted by the following participating entity:

Location of Nominated Area (list state and counties proposed to be included):

Name & Address of Participating Entity:

Contact & Phone Number, Fax Number and E-mail address:

 Nominating Entity (check here if applicable).

Nominating Entity (if other than named above) (City, State):

# Appendix C

Counties (including other geographic areas, as applicable) which have demonstrated outmigration of not less than 15 percent over the period 1980-1994 as reported by the U.S. Bureau of the Census.

## Alabama

Conecuh County

Dallas County

Greene County

Lowndes County

Macon County

Perry County

Wilcox County

## Alaska

Aleutians West Census Area

Bristol Bay Borough

Southeast Fairbanks Census Area

Wade Hampton Census Area

Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area

## Arizona

Greenlee County

## Arkansas

Arkansas County

Chicot County

Desha County

Lee County

Mississippi County

Monroe County

Phillips County

St. Francis County

Woodruff County

## Colorado

Baca County

Conejos County

Jackson County

Kiowa County

Lake County

Logan County

Mineral County

Moffat County

Otero County

San Juan County

Sedgwick County

Washington County

## Florida

Hardee County

## Georgia

Calhoun County

Early County

Miller County

Randolph County

Terrell County

Turner County

## Idaho

Bear Lake County

Butte County

Caribou County

Clark County

Clearwater County

Elmore County

Shoshone County

## Illinois

Alexander County

Mason County

Pulaski County

Stark County

Warren County

## Indiana

Miami County

## Iowa

Adams County

Audubon County

Buchanan County

Cherokee County

Chickasaw County

Clay County

Clinton County

Crawford County

Emmet County

Fayette County

Floyd County

Franklin County

Greene County

Grundy County

Hancock County 

Humboldt County 

Jackson County 

Kossuth County 

Lyon County 

Osceola County 

Palo Alto County 

Pocahontas County 

Shelby County 

Webster County 

## Kansas 

Barber County 

Barton County 

Decatur County 

Doniphan County 

Geary County 

Gove County 

Graham County 

Haskell County 

Jewell County 

Morton County 

Ness County 

Osborne County 

Rawlins County 

Rice County 

Rooks County 

Rush County 

Scott County 

Sheridan County 

Sherman County 

Stanton County 

Trego County 

Wallace County 

Wichita County 

## Kentucky 

Bell County 

Breathitt County 

Floyd County 

Fulton County 

Hardin County 

Harlan County 

Leslie County 

Letcher County 

Martin County 

Perry County 

Pike County 

## Louisiana 

Cameron Parish 

Catahoula Parish 

Concordia Parish 

East Carroll Parish 

Iberville Parish 

Madison Parish 

Morehouse Parish 

Red River Parish 

Richland Parish 

St. Mary Parish 

Tensas Parish 

Vernon Parish 

## Maine 

Aroostook County 

## Michigan 

Iosco County 

Luce County 

Marquette County 

## Minnesota 

Big Stone County 

Cottonwood County 

Faribault County 

Freeborn County 

Jackson County 

Kittson County 

Lac qui Parle County 

Lake County 

                        Lincoln County                               ( print page 30156)    

Pennington County 

Red Lake County 

Redwood County 

Renville County 

Swift County 

Traverse County 

Wilkin County 

Yellow Medicine County 

## Mississippi 

Adams County 

Bolivar County 

Claiborne County 

Coahoma County 

Holmes County 

Humphreys County 

Issaquena County 

Jefferson County 

Leflore County 

Noxubee County 

Quitman County 

Sharkey County 

Sunflower County 

Tallahatchie County 

Tunica County 

Warren County 

Washington County 

Yazoo County 

## Missouri 

Knox County 

Mississippi County 

Pemiscot County 

Pulaski County 

## Montana 

Big Horn County 

Carter County 

Daniels County 

Dawson County 

Deer Lodge County 

Fallon County 

Garfield County 

Hill County 

Judith Basin County 

Liberty County 

McCone County 

Meagher County 

Petroleum County 

Pondera County 

Powder River County 

Prairie County 

Richland County 

Roosevelt County 

Rosebud County 

Sheridan County 

Toole County 

Treasure County 

Valley County 

Wibaux County 

## Nebraska 

Antelope County 

Arthur County 

Banner County 

Blaine County 

Boone County 

Box Butte County 

Boyd County 

Brown County 

Cedar County 

Cuming County 

Frontier County 

Garden County 

Grant County 

Hayes County 

Hitchcock County 

Holt County 

Hooker County 

Keya Paha County 

Kimball County 

Knox County 

Lincoln County 

Logan County 

Loup County 

Morrill County 

Nuckolls County 

Red Willow County 

Rock County 

Sioux County 

Stanton County 

Thomas County 

Thurston County

Wheeler County 

## New Mexico 

Cibola County 

Guadalupe County 

Harding County 

Lea County 

McKinley County 

Union County 

## North Dakota 

Adams County 

Benson County 

Billings County 

Bottineau County 

Bowman County 

Burke County 

Cavalier County 

Dickey County 

Divide County 

Dunn County 

Eddy County 

Emmons County 

Foster County 

Golden Valley County 

Grant County 

Griggs County 

Hettinger County 

Kidder County 

LaMoure County 

Logan County 

McHenry County 

McIntosh County 

McKenzie County 

McLean County 

Mercer County 

Mountrail County 

Oliver County 

Pembina County 

Pierce County 

Renville County 

Sargent County 

Sheridan County 

Sioux County 

Slope County 

Stark County 

Steele County 

Stutsman County 

Towner County 

Walsh County 

Ward County 

Wells County 

Williams County 

## Oklahoma 

Beaver County 

Blaine County 

Cimarron County 

Ellis County 

Harmon County 

Harper County 

Jackson County 

Kingfisher County 

Major County 

Roger Mills County 

Texas County 

Tillman County 

Washita County 

Woods County 

Woodward County 

## Oregon 

Harney County 

Sherman County 

## Pennsylvania 

Cameron County 

## South Carolina 

Bamberg County 

Dillon County 

Marlboro County 

## South Dakota 

Buffalo County 

Campbell County 

Corson County 

Day County 

Deuel County 

Dewey County 

Douglas County 

Edmunds County 

Faulk County 

Gregory County 

Haakon County 

Hand County 

Hanson County 

Harding County 

Hyde County 

Jackson County 

Jerauld County 

Jones County 

Lyman County 

McPherson County 

Mellette County 

Perkins County 

Potter County 

Roberts County 

Sanborn County 

Shannon County 

Spink County 

Sully County 

Walworth County 

Ziebach County 

## Texas 

Andrews County 

Bailey County 

Briscoe County 

Brooks County 

Castro County 

Cochran County 

Collingsworth County 

Cottle County 

Crane County 

Crockett County 

Crosby County 

Culberson County 

Dawson County 

Deaf Smith County 

Dickens County 

Dimmit County 

Fisher County 

Floyd County 

Foard County 

Garza County 

Glasscock County 

                        Gray County                               ( print page 30157)    

Hale County 

Hall County 

Hansford County 

Hardeman County 

Hemphill County 

Hutchinson County 

Jim Hogg County 

Karnes County 

Kenedy County 

Kent County 

King County 

Kleberg County 

Lamb County 

Lipscomb County 

Lynn County 

Matagorda County 

Motley County 

Ochiltree County 

Parmer County 

Pecos County 

Reagan County 

Reeves County 

Refugio County 

Roberts County 

Shackelford County 

Sherman County 

Stonewall County 

Sutton County 

Swisher County 

Terrell County 

Terry County 

Upton County 

Ward County 

Wheeler County 

Winkler County 

Yoakum County 

Zavala County 

## Utah 

Carbon County 

Daggett County 

Duchesne County 

Emery County 

Grand County 

Rich County 

San Juan County 

## Virginia 

Alleghany County 

Bath County 

Buchanan County 

Wise County 

Covington City 

Norton City 

## West Virginia 

Boone County 

Clay County 

Fayette County 

Logan County 

McDowell County 

Mingo County 

Webster County 

Wetzel County 

Wyoming County 

## Wyoming 

Big Horn County 

Carbon County 

Converse County 

Fremont County 

Hot Springs County

Platte County 

Sweetwater County 

Washakie County 

Weston County 

# Appendix D 

## Form of Memorandum of Agreement 

## Rural Empowerment Zones 

This Agreement among the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the State of _____ and the Empowerment Zone Lead Entity relating to the Rural Empowerment Zone known as _____, is made pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code (title 26 of the United States Code) as amended by The Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-554). 

In reliance upon and in consideration of the mutual representations and obligations herein contained, the applicable statute and part 25 to 7 C.F.R., the State and the Empowerment Zone agree as follows: 

The Rural Empowerment Zone boundaries are as follows: Census Tracts ___, ___,  ___ [as such boundaries may be modified] in accordance with maps provided in the application for designation. The term of the designation as a rural Empowerment Zone is effective from [designation date] to December 31, ___, unless sooner revoked. 

1. The State and the Empowerment Zone will comply with the requirements of The Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000, and the regulations appearing in 7 C.F.R. part 25 and any future regulations. 

2. The State and the Empowerment Zone will comply with such further statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements as may be applicable to the receipt and expenditure of Federal funds. 

3. The State and the Empowerment Zone will comply with all elements of the USDA approved application for designation, including the strategic plan, submitted to USDA pursuant to 7 C.F.R. part 25 (“strategic plan”) and all assurances, certifications, schedules or other submissions made in support of the strategic plan or of this Agreement. 

4. The State and the Empowerment Zone will submit with each 2-year workplan required under 7 C.F.R. 25.403 documentation, in form and substance satisfactory to the Secretary, sufficient to identify baselines, benchmark goals, benchmark activities and timetables for the implementation of the strategic plan during the applicable 2 years of the workplan. 

5. Pursuant to the strategic plan, the lead entity for the Empowerment Zone known as ___ [name of lead entity] ___, located at ___ [address] ___, is responsible for the implementation of the strategic plan. The current director of the lead entity, who is duly authorized to execute this agreement, is ___ [name] ___. 

6. The use of Federal funds will be directed by the lead entity, in accordance with the strategic plan. The distribution of these funds will be in accordance with the directives of the lead entity, provided that such actions are consistent with the USDA approved strategic plan. 

7. The lead entity agrees to timely comply with the reporting requirements contained in 7 C.F.R. part 25, including reporting on progress made in carrying out actions necessary to implement the requirements of the strategic plan and any assurances, certifications, schedules or other submissions made in connection with the designation. 

8. The lead entity agrees to submit to periodic performance reviews by USDA in accordance with the provisions of 7 C.F.R. 25.402 and 25.404. Upon request by USDA, the lead entity will permit representatives of USDA to inspect and make copies of any records pertaining to matters covered by this Agreement. 

9. Each year after the execution of this Agreement, the lead entity will submit updated documentation sufficient to identify baselines, benchmark goals and activities and timetables for the implementation of the strategic plan during the following 2 years. Upon written acceptance from USDA, such documentation shall become part of this Agreement and shall replace the documentation submitted previously, for purposes of operations during the following 2 years. 

10. All benchmark goals, benchmark activities, baselines, and schedules approved by the Empowerment Zone after a full community participation process (which must be documented and which may be further amended or supplemented from time to time), will be incorporated as part of this Agreement. All references to the strategic plan in this memorandum of agreement shall be deemed to refer to the strategic plan as modified in accordance with this paragraph. 

11. This Agreement shall be a part of the strategic plan. 

12. Amendments to the strategic plan may be made only with the approval of the Empowerment Zone and USDA. The lead entity must demonstrate to USDA that the local governments within the Empowerment Zone were involved in the amendment process. 

13. All attachments and submissions in accordance herewith are incorporated as part of this agreement. 

This Agreement is dated_.

State Government: State of _

By:_

[Official authorized to commit the state] 

Title:

Address:

Empowerment Zone [Name of Empowerment Zone]. 

By:_

Title:

Address:

Lead entity: [Name of Lead entity].

By:

Title:

Address: 

Federal Government: United States Department of Agriculture.

By:

Title: 

Address: 

[FR Doc. 01-14119 Filed 6-4-01; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410-07-P