[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6920-6921]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02484]


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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION


Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Small Business Administration.

ACTION: 30-Day notice.

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SUMMARY: The Small Business Administration (SBA) is publishing this 
notice to comply with requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) 
(44 U.S.C. chapter 35), which requires agencies to submit proposed 
reporting and recordkeeping requirements to OMB for review and 
approval, and to publish a notice in the Federal Register notifying the 
public that the agency has made such a submission. This notice also 
allows an additional 30 days for public comments.

DATES: Submit comments on or before March 10, 2016

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to the information collection by name 
and/or OMB Control Number and should be sent to: Agency Clearance 
Officer, Curtis Rich, Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street 
SW., 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20416; and SBA Desk Officer, Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Curtis Rich, Agency Clearance Officer, 
(202) 205-7030 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#04677176706d772a766d676c447766652a636b72"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ccafb9beb8a5bfe2bea5afa48cbfaeade2aba3ba">[email protected]</span></a>.
    Copies: A copy of the Form OMB 83-1, supporting statement, and 
other documents submitted to OMB for review may be obtained from the 
Agency Clearance Officer.

[[Page 6921]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In October 2014, a new cohort of sites was 
added to the Regional Innovation Clusters (RIC) initiative, which was 
originally started in October 1, 2010 by the Small Business 
Administration (SBA)'s Office of Entrepreneurial Development. Through 
this initiative, organizations in 11 communities across the U.S. have 
been selected to provide industry-specific assistance to small 
businesses, and to develop industry relationships and supply chains 
within their regions. Clusters--geographically concentrated groups of 
interconnected businesses, suppliers, service providers, and associated 
institutions in a particular industry or field--act as a networking hub 
to convene a number of resources to help navigate the funding, 
procurement, and supply-chain opportunities in a specific industry.
    SBA is conducting an evaluation of the Regional Innovation Clusters 
initiative to determine how the clusters have developed, the type and 
volume of services they provided to small businesses, client 
perceptions of the program, and the various outcomes related to their 
existence, including collaboration among firms, innovation, and small 
business growth. Small business growth will be compared to the overall 
growth of firms in those same regions and industries. This evaluation 
will also include lessons learned and success stories. SBA proposes the 
use of three instruments for data collection and analysis of three 
distinct populations. These instruments are: (1). Small Business 
Survey, (2.) Large Organization Survey and (3.) Cluster Administrator 
Survey. In addition, SBA plans to interview each of the 11 cluster 
administrators several times a year regarding program impact and 
successes or challenges, and to obtain clarifications on information 
provided in quarterly reports. Each of the proposed surveys will be 
administered electronically and will contain both open- and close-ended 
questions. The information collected and analyzed from these 
instruments will contribute to monitoring performance metrics and 
program goals, as well as recommendations on improving program 
practices.
    Solicitation of Public Comments:
    Title: Regional Innovation Clusters (RIC) Initiative Evaluation 
Study.
    Description of Respondents: Interconnected businesses, Suppliers, 
Service providers, and associated institutions.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Estimated Annual Responses: 1,240.
    Estimated Annual Hour Burden: 388.

Curtis B. Rich,
Management Analyst.
[FR Doc. 2016-02484 Filed 2-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8025-01-P


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