[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, (210) 558-2450
Mr. John P. O'Connor, State Director, University of Connecticut, Box U-
41, Room 422, Storrs, CT 06269-2041, (203) 486-4135
Mr. Ronald Manning, State Director, Iowa State University, 137 Lynn
Avenue, Ames, IA 50010, (515) 292-6351
Ms. Liz Klimback, Region Director, Dallas Community College, 1402
Corinth Street, Dallas, TX 75212, (214) 565-5833
Mr. John Ciccarelli, State Director, University of Massachusetts,
School of Management, Amherst, MA 01003, (413) 545-6301
Mr. Raleigh Byars, State Director, University of Mississippi, Old
Chemistry Building, University, MS 38677, (601) 232-5001
Mr. James L. King, State Director, State University of New York, SUNY
Plaza, S-523, Albany, NY 12246, (518) 443-5398
Mr. Jose Romaguera, Director, University of Puerto Rico, Box 5253--
College Station, Mayaguez, PR 00681, (809) 834-3590
Mr. Clinton Tymes, State Director, University of Delaware, Suite 005--
Purnell Hall, Newark, DE 19711, (302) 831-2747
Ms. Janet Holloway, State Director, University of Kentucky, 225
Business & Economics Bldg., Lexington, KY 40506-0034, (606) 257-7668
Mr. Woodrow McCutchen, State Director, Department of Economic and
Employment Development, 217 East Redwood St., 9th Floor, Baltimore, MD
21202, (410) 333-6995
Mr. Robert Stevens, Acting State Director, Wayne State University, 2727
Second Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201, (313) 964-1798
Mr. Max Summers, State Director, University of Missouri, Suite 300,
University Place, Columbia, MO 65211, (314) 882-0344
Ms. Holly Schick, State Director, Ohio Department of Development, 77
South High Street, Columbus, OH 43226-1001, (614) 466-2711
Dr. Elizabeth Gatewood, Region Director, University of Houston, 1100
Louisiana, Suite 500, Houston, TX 77002, (713) 752-8444
Mr. Donald L. Kelpinski, State Director, Vermont Technical College,
P.O. Box 422, Randolph Center, VT 05060, (802) 728-9101
Ms. Hazel Kroesser, State Director, Governor's Office of Community and
Industrial Development, 1115 Virginia Street, East Charleston, WV
25310, (304) 558-2960
Mr. Craig Bean, Region Director, Texas Tech University, 2579 South Loop
289, Suite 114, Lubbock, TX 79423-1637, (806) 745-3973
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