PART 1940 - GENERAL

Authority:

5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 1989; and 42 U.S.C. 1480.

Subparts A-K [Reserved]

Subpart L - Methodology and Formulas for Allocation of Loan and Grant Program Funds

Source:

50 FR 24180, June 10, 1985, unless otherwise noted.

§ 1940.551 Purpose and general policy.

(a) The purpose of this subpart is to set forth the methodology and formulas by which the Administrator for the Rural Business-Cooperative Service or the Administrator for the Rural Housing Service, as applicable, allocates program funds to the States. (The term State means any of the States of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the United States, or the Western Pacific Areas.) This subpart is inapplicable to Farm Service Agency, Farm Loan Programs.

(b) The formulas in this subpart are used to allocate program loan and grant funds to State Offices so that the overall mission of the Agency can be carried out. Considerations used when developing the formulas include enabling legislation, congressional direction, and administration policies. Allocation formulas ensure that program resources are available on an equal basis to all eligible individuals and organizations.

(c) The actual amounts of funds, as computed by the methodology and formulas contained herein, allocated to a State for a funding period are distributed to each State Office by an exhibit to this subpart. The exhibit is available for review in any Rural Development State Office. The exhibit also contains clarifications of allocation policies and provides further guidance to the State Directors on any suballocation within the State. Rural Development will publish a Notice of Availability of Rural Housing funds in the Federal Register each year.

[49 FR 3727, Jan. 30, 1984, as amended at 53 FR 26229, July 12, 1988; 55 FR 29560, July 20, 1990; 56 FR 66960, Dec. 27, 1991; 72 FR 64122, Nov. 15, 2007]

§ 1940.552 Definitions.

(a) Amount available for allocation. Funds appropriated or otherwise made availiable to the Agency for use in authorized programs. On occasion, the allocation of funds to States may not be practical for a particular program due to funding or administrative constraints. In these cases, funds will be controlled by the National Office.

(b) Basic formula criteria, data source and weight. Basic formulas are used to calculate a basic state factor as a part of the methodology for allocating funds to the States. The formulas take a number of criteria that reflect the funding needs for a particular program and through a normalization and weighting process for each of the criteria calculate the basic State Factor (SF). The data sources used for each criteria is believed to be the most current and reliable information that adequately quantifies the criterion. The weight, expressed as a percentage, gives a relative value to the importance of each of the criteria.

(c) Basic formula allocation. The result of multiplying the amount available for allocation less the total of any amounts held in reserve or distributed by base or administrative allocation times the basic State factor for each State. The basic formula allocation (BFA) for an individual State is equal to:

BFA = (Amount available for allocation − NO reserve − Total base and administrative allocations) × SF.

(d) Transition formula. A formula based on a proportional amount of previous year allocation used to maintain program continuity by preventing large fluctuations in individual State allocations. The transition formula limits allocation shifts to any particular State in the event of changes from year to year of the basic formula, the basic criteria, or the weights given the criteria. The transition formula first checks whether the current year's basic formula allocation is within the transition range (+ or −percentage points of the proportional amount of the previous year's BFA).

If the current year's State BFA is not within this transition range, the State formula allocation is changed to the amount of the transition range limit closest to the BFA amount. After having performed this transition adjustment for each State, the sum of the funds allocated to all States will differ from the amount of funds available for BFA. This difference, whether a positive or negative amount, is distributed to all States receiving a formula allocation by multiplying the difference by the SF. The end result is the transition formula allocation. The transition range will not exceed 40% (±20%), but when a smaller range is used it will be stated in the individual program section.

(e) Base allocation. An amount that may be allocated to each State dependent upon the particular program to provide the opportunity for funding at least one typical loan or grant in each Rural Development State, District, or County Office. The amount of the base allocation may be determined by criteria other than that used in the basic formula allocation such as agency historic data.

(f) Administrative allocations. Allocations made by the Administrator in cases where basic formula criteria information is not available. This form of allocation may be used when the Administrator determines the program objectives cannot be adequately met with a formula allocation.

(g) Reserve. An amount retained under the National Office control for each loan and grant program to provide flexibility in meeting situations of unexpected or justifiable need occurring during the fiscal year. The Administrator may make distributions from this reserve to any State when it determined necessary to meet a program need or agency objective. The Administrator may retain additional amounts to fund authorized demonstration programs. When such demonstration programs exist, the information is outlined in exhibit A of this subpart (available in any FmFA State Office).

(h) Pooling of funds. A technique used to ensure that available funds are used in an effective, timely and efficient manner. At the time of pooling those funds within a State's allocation for the fiscal year or portion of the fiscal year, depending on the type of pooling, that have not been obligatedf by the State are placed in the National Office reserve. The Administrator will establish the pooling dates for each affected program.

(1) Mid-year: This pooling addresses the need to partially redistribute funds based on use/demand. Mid-year pooling occurs near the midpoint of the fiscal year.

(2) Year-end: This pooling is used to ensure maximum use of program funds on a national basis. Year-end pooling usually occurs near the first of August.

(3) Emergency: The Administrator may pool funds at any time that it is determined the conditions upon which the initial allocation was based have changed to such a degree that it is necessary to pool funds in order to efficiently carry out the Agency mission.

(i) Availability of the allocation. Program funds are made available to the Agency on a quarterly basis. In the high demand programs, it is necessary that specific instructions by given to the State Offices regarding the amount which is available for obligation during each quarter.

(j) Suballocation by the State Director. Dependent upon the individual program for which funds are being allocated, the State Director may be directed or given the option of suballocating the State allocation to District or County Offices. When suballocating the State Director may retain a portion of the funds in a State Office reserve to provide flexibility in situations of unexpected or justified need. When performing a suballocation the State Director will use the same formula, criteria and weights as used by the National Office.

(k) Other documentation. Additional instructions given to field offices regarding allocations.

[49 FR 3727, Jan. 30, 1984, as amended at 53 FR 26229, July 12, 1988]

§§ 1940.553-1940.559 [Reserved]

§ 1940.560 Guarantee Rural Rental Housing Program.

When funding levels are under $100,000,000, all funds will be held in a National Office reserve and made available administratively in accordance with the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and program regulations. When program levels are sufficient for a nationwide program, funds are allocated based upon the following criteria and weights.

(a) Amount available for allocations. See § 1940.552(a) of this subpart.

(b) Basic formula criteria, data source and weight. See § 1940.552(b) of this subpart .

Each factor will receive a weight respectively of 40%, 40% and 20%. The criteria used in the basic formula are:

(1) State's percentage of National rural population,

(2) State's percentage of the National number of rural households between 50 and 115 percent of the area median income, and

(3) State's percentage of National average cost per unit. The data source for the criterion specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section is the most recent decennial Census of the United States (decennial Census). The data source for the criterion specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section is 5-year income data from the American Community Survey (ACS) or, if needed, other Census Bureau data. The data source for the criterion specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section is the cost per unit data using the applicable maximum per unit dollar amount limitations under section 207(c) of the National Housing Act, which can be obtained from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The percentage representing each criterion is multiplied by the weight assigned and totaled to arrive at a State factor.

State Factor = (criterion No. 1 × weight of 40%) + (criterion No. 1 × weight of 40%) + (criterion No. 1 × weight of 20%)

(d) Transition formula. See § 1940.552(d).

(e) Base allocation. See § 1940.552(e). Jurisdictions receiving administrative allocations do not receive base allocations.

(f) Administrative allocations. See § 1940.552(f). Jurisdictions receiving formula allocations do not receive administrative allocations.

(g) Reserve. See § 1940.552(g).

(h) Pooling of funds. See § 1940.552(h).

(i) Availability of the allocation. See § 1940.552(i).

(j) Suballocation by the State Director. See § 1940.552(j).

(k) Other documentation. Not applicable.

[63 FR 39458, July 22, 1998, as amended at 80 FR 9876, Feb. 24, 2015]

§§ 1940.561-1940.562 [Reserved]

§ 1940.563 Section 502 non-subsidized guaranteed Rural Housing (RH) loans.

(a) Amount available for allocations. See § 1940.552(a) of this subpart.

(b) Basic formula criteria, data source and weight. See § 1940.552 (b) of this subpart. The criteria used in the basic formula are:

(1) State's percentage of the National number of rural occupied substandard units,

(2) State's percentage of the National rural population in places of less than 2,500 population,

(3) State's percentage of the national number of rural households between 80 and 100 percent of the area median income, and

(4) State's percentage of the national number of rural renter households paying more than 35 percent of income for rent. The data source for each criterion is specified in paragraph (b)(5) of this section. Each criterion is assigned a specific weight according to its relevance in determining need. The percentage representing each criterion is multiplied by the weight factor and summed to arrive at a basic State factor (SF) as follows:

SF = (criterion 1 × weight of 30%) + (criterion 2 × weight of 10%) + (criterion 3 × weight of 30%) + (criterion 4 × weight of 30%)

(5) The data source for the criteria specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section is the most recent decennial Census. The data source for the criteria specified in paragraph (b)(3) and (b)(4) of this section is 5-year income data from the American Community Survey (ACS) or, if needed, other Census Bureau data.

(d) Transition formula. See § 1940.552(d) of this subpart. The percentage range used for Section 502 guaranteed RH loans is plus or minus 15.

(e) Base allocation. See § 1940.552(e) of this subpart. Jurisdictions receiving administrative allocations do not receive base allocations.

(f) Administrative allocations. See § 1940.552(f) of this subpart. Jurisdictions receiving formula allocations do not receive administrative allocations.

(g) Reserve. See § 1940.552(g) of this subpart.

(h) Pooling of funds. See § 1940.552(h) of this subpart.

(1) Mid-year: If used in a particular fiscal year, available funds unobligated as of the pooling date are pooled and redistributed based on the formula used to allocate funds initially.

(2) Year-end: Pooled funds are placed in a National Office reserve and are available as determined administratively.

(i) Availability of the allocation. See § 1940.552(i) of this subpart.

(j) Suballocation by the State Director. See § 1940.552(j) of this subpart. Annually, the Administrator will advise State Director's whether or not suballocation within the State Office jurisdiction will be required for the guaranteed Housing program.

(k) Other documentation. Not applicable.

[56 FR 10509, Mar. 13, 1991, as amended at 80 FR 9876, Feb. 24, 2015]

§ 1940.564 Section 502 subsidized guaranteed Rural Housing loans.

(a) Amount available for allocations. See § 1940.552(a) of this subpart.

(b) Basic formula criteria, data source and weight. See § 1940.552(b) of this subpart. The criteria used in the basic formula are:

(1) State's percentage of the National number of rural occupied substandard units,

(2) State's percentage of the National rural population in places of less than 2,500 population,

(3) State's percentage of the national number of rural households below 80 percent of the area median income, and

SF = (criterion 1 × weight of 30%) + (criterion 2 × weight of 10%) + (criterion 3 × weight of 30%) + (criterion 4 × weight of 30%)

(5) The data source for the criteria specified in paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(4) of this section is the most recent decennial Census. The data source for the criterion specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section is 5-year income data from the American Community Survey (ACS) or, if needed, other Census Bureau data.

(d) Transition formula. See § 1940.552(d) of this subpart. The percentage range used for section 502 guaranteed RH loans is plus or minus 15.

(e) Base allocation. See § 1940.552(e) of this subpart. Jurisdictions receiving administrative allocations do not receive base allocations.

(f) Administration allocations. See § 1940.552(f) of this subpart. Jurisdictions receiving formula allocations do not receive administrative allocations.

(g) Reserve. See § 1940.552(g) of this subpart.

(h) Pooling of funds. See § 1940.552(h) of this subpart.

(1) Mid-year: If used in a particular fiscal year, available funds unobligated as of the pooling date are pooled and redistributed based on the formula used to allocate funds initially.

(2) Year-end: Pooled funds are placed in a National Office reserve and are available as determined administratively.

(i) Availability of the allocation. See § 1940.552(i) of this subpart.

(k) Other documentation. Not applicable.

[56 FR 10509, Mar. 13, 1991, as amended at 80 FR 9877, Feb. 24, 2015]

§ 1940.565 Section 502 subsidized Rural Housing loans.

(a) Amount available for allocations. See § 1940.552(a) of this subpart.

(b) Basic formula criteria, data source and weight. See § 1940.552(b) of this subpart. The criteria used in the basic formula are:

(1) State's percentage of the National number of rural occupied substandard units,

(2) State's percentage of the National rural population,

(3) State's percentage of the National rural population in places of less than 2,500 population,

(4) State's percentage of the National number of rural households between 50 and 80 percent of the area median income, and

(5) State's percentage of the National number of rural households below 50 percent of the area median income.

Data source for each of these criteria is based on the latest census data available. Each criterion is assigned a specific weight according to its relevance in determining need. The percentage representing each criterion is multiplied by the weight factor and summed to arrive at a basic State factor (SF)

SF = (criterion 1 × weight of 25%) + (criterion 2 × weight of 10%) + (criterion 3 × weight of 15%) + (criterion 4 × weight of 30%) + (criterion 5 × weight of 20%)

(d) Transition formula. See § 1940.552(d) of this subpart. The percentage range used for Section 502 subsidized RH loans is plus or minus 15.

(e) Base allocation. See § 1940.552(e) of this subpart. Jurisdictions receiving administrative allocations do not receive base allocations.

(f) Administrative allocations. See § 1940.552(f) of this subpart. Jurisdictions receiving formula allocations do not receive administrative allocations.

(g) Reserve. See § 1940.552(g) of this subpart.

(h) Pooling of funds. See § 1940.552(h) of this subpart.

(1) Mid-year: If used in a particular fiscal year, available funds unobligated as of the pooling date are pooled and redistributed based on the formula used to allocate funds initially.

(2) Year-end: Pooled funds are placed in a National Office reserve and are available as determined administratively.

(i) Availability of the allocation. See § 1940.552(i) of this subpart.

(j) Suballocation by the State Director. See § 1940.552(j) of this subpart. The State Director will suballocate funds to the District Offices and may, at his/her option, suballocate to the County Offices. The State Director will use the same basic formula criteria, data source and weight for suballocating funds within the State as used by the National Office in allocating to the States as described in § 1940.565 (b) and (c) of this section. The suballocations to District or County Offices will not be reduced or restricted unless written approval is received from the National Office in response to a written request from the State Director. The State Director's request must include the reasons for the requested action (e.g., high housing inventory and/or high housing delinquency).

(k) Other documentation. The percentage distribution of funds to the States by income levels is based on prevailing legislation.

§ 1940.566 Section 504 Housing Repair loans.

(a) Amount available for allocations. See § 1940.552(a) of this subpart.

(b) Basic formula criteria, data source and weight. See § 1940.552(b). The criteria used in the basic formula are:

(1) State's percentage of the National number of rural occupied substandard units, and

(2) State's percentage of the National number of rural households below 50 percent of area median income. The data source for the first criterion is the most recent decennial Census data. The data source for the second criterion is 5-year income data from the American Community Survey (ACS) or, if needed, other Census Bureau data. Each criterion is assigned a specific weight according to its relevance in determining need. The percentage representing each criterion is multiplied by the weight factor and summed to arrive at a basic State factor (SF).

SF = (criterion No. 1 × weight of 50%) + (criterion No. 2 × weight of 50%)

(d) Transition formula. See § 1940.552(d) of this subpart. The percentage range used for section 504 Housing Repair Loans is plus or minus 15.

(e) Base allocation. Not used.

(f) Administrative allocations. See § 1940.552(f) of this subpart. Jurisdictions receiving formula allocations do not receive administrative allocations.

(g) Reserve. See § 1940.552(g) of this subpart.

(h) Pooling of funds. See § 1940.552(h) of this subpart.

(1) Mid-year: If used in a particular fiscal year, available funds unobligated as of the pooling date are pooled and redistributed based on the formula used to allocate funds initially.

(2) Year-end: Pooled funds are placed in a National Office reserve and are available as determined administratively.

(i) Availability of the allocation. See § 1940.552(i) of this subpart.

(j) Suballocation by the State Director. See § 1940.552(j) of this subpart. At the option of the State Director, section 504 loan funds may be suballocated to the District Offices. When performing a suballocation, the State Director will use the same basic formula criteria, data source and weight for suballocating funds within the State as used by the National Office in allocating to the States as described in § 1940.566 (b) and (c) of this section.

(k) Other documentation. Not applicable.

[50 FR 24180, June 10, 1985, as amended at 80 FR 9877, Feb. 24, 2015]

§ 1940.567 Section 504 Housing Repair grants.

(a) Amount available for allocations. See § 1940.552(a) of this subpart.

(b) Basic formula criteria, data source and weight. See § 1940.552(b) of this subpart. The criteria used in the basic formula are:

(1) State's percentage of the National number of rural occupied substandard units,

(2) State's percentage of the National rural population 62 years and older, and

(3) State's percentage of the National number of rural households below 50 percent of area median income. The data source for the first two of these criteria is the most recent decennial Census data. The data source for the third criterion is the 5-year data from the American Community Survey (ACS) or, if needed, other Census Bureau data. Each criterion is assigned a specific weight according to its relevance in determining need. The percentage representing each criterion is multiplied by the weight factor and summed to arrive at a basic State factor (SF).

SF = (criterion No. 1 × weight of 33 1/3%) + (criterion No. 2 × weight of 33 1/3%) + (criterion No. 3 × weight of 33 1/3%)

(d) Transition formula. See § 1940.552(d) of this subpart. The percentage range used for section 504 Housing Repair grants is plus or minus 15.

(e) Base allocation. Not used.

(f) Administrative allocations. See § 1940.552(f) of this subpart. Jurisdictions receiving formula allocations do not receive administrative allocations.

(g) Reserve. See § 1940.552(g) of this subpart.

(h) Pooling of funds. See § 1940.552(h) of this subpart.

(1) Mid-year: If used in a particular fiscal year, available funds unobligated as of the pooling date are pooled and redistributed based on the formula used to allocate funds initially.

(2) Year-end: Pooled funds are placed in a National Office reserve and are available as determined administratively.

(i) Availability of the allocation. See § 1940.552(i) of this subpart.

(j) Suballocation by the State Director. See § 1940.552(j) of this subpart. At the option of the State Director, section 504 grant funds may be suballocated to the District Offices. When performing a suballocation, the State Director will use the same basic formula criteria, data source and weight for suballocating funds within the State as used by the National Office in allocating to the States as described in § 1940.567 (b) and (c) of this section.

(k) Other documentation. Not applicable.

[50 FR 24180, June 10, 1985, as amended at 80 FR 9877, Feb. 24, 2015]

§ 1940.568 Single Family Housing programs appropriations not allocated by State.

The following program funds are kept in a National Office reserve and are available as determined administratively:

(a) Section 523 Self-Help Technical Assistance Grants.

(b) Section 523 Land Development Fund.

(d) Section 509 Compensation for Construction Defects.

(e) Section 502 Nonsubsidized Funds.

§§ 1940.569-1940.574 [Reserved]

§ 1940.575 Section 515 Rural Rental Housing (RRH) loans.

(a) Amount available for allocations. See § 1940.552(a) of this subpart.

(b) Basic formula criteria, data source and weight. See § 1940.552(b) of this subpart.

The criteria used in the basic formula area:

(1) State's percentage of National rural population,

(2) State's percentage of National number of rural occupied substandard units, and

(3) State's percentage of National rural families with incomes below the poverty level. The data source for the first two of these criterion is the most recent decennial Census data. The data source for the third criterion is the 5-year data from the American Community Survey (ACS) or, if needed, other Census Bureau data. Each criterion is assigned a specific weight according to its relevance in determining need. The percentage representing each criterion is multiplied by the weight assigned and summed to arrive at a State factor (SF).

SF = (criterion No. 1 × weight of 33 1/3%) + (criterion No. 2 × weight of 33 1/3%) + (criterion No. 3 × weight of 33 1/3%)

(d) Transition formula. See § 1940.522(d) of this subpart.

(e) Base allocation. See § 1940.552(e) of this subpart. Jurisdictions receiving administrative allocations do not receive base allocations.

(f) Administrative allocations. See § 1940.552(f) of this subpart. Jurisdictions receiving formula allocations do not receive administrative allocations.

(g) Reserve. See § 1940.552(g) of this subpart.

(h) Pooling of funds. See § 1940.552(h) of this subpart.

(i) Availability of the allocation. See § 1940.552(i) of this subpart.

(j) Suballocation by the State Director. See § 1940.552(j) of this subpart.

(k) Other documentation. Not applicable.

[53 FR 26229, July 12, 1988, as amended at 80 FR 9877, Feb. 24, 2015]

§ 1940.576 Rental Assistance (RA) for new construction.

(a) Amount available for allocations. See § 1940.552(a) of this subpart.

(b) Basic formula criteria, data source and weight. See § 1940.575(b) of this subpart.

(d) Transition formula. See § 1940.552(d) of this subpart.

(e) Base allocation. See § 1940.552(e) of this subpart.

(f) Administrative allocations. See § 1940.552(f) of this subpart. Jurisdictions receiving formula allocations do not receive administrative allocations.

(g) Reserve. See § 1940.552(g) of this subpart.

(h) Pooling of funds. See § 1940.552(h) of this subpart.

(i) Availability of the allocation. See § 1940.552(i) of this subpart.

(j) Suballocation by the State Director. See § 1940.552(j) of this subpart.

(k) Other documentation. Not applicable.

[53 FR 26229, July 12, 1988]

§ 1940.577 Rental Assistance (RA) for existing projects.

(a) Amount available for allocations. See § 1940.552(a) of this subpart. RA appropriated for existing projects will first be used to replace contracts expiring each fiscal year and for the first few months of the following fiscal year. This is done to assure continued RA funding. RA units not needed for replacement purposes will be used for existing multiple family housing projects experiencing servicing problems.

(b) Basic formula criteria, data source and weight. No formula or weighted criteria is used to allocate replacement RA. The basic allocation for replacement RA will be made based on the following:

(1) Criteria. This allocation is based on the estimated need to replace RA contracts expiring from the depletion of funds.

(2) Date source. The most accurate and current information available from Rural Development computerized data sources.

(c) Basic formula allocation. While no formula will be used, the basic allocation will be made to each State according to the need determined using the basic criteria.

(d) Transition formula. Not applicable.

(e) Base allocation. Not applicable.

(f) Administrative allocation. Not applicable.

(g) Reserve. See § 1940.552(g) of this subpart. The National Office maintains a reserve adequate to compensate for the differences between actual and projected replacement activity. Units will be administratively distributed for existing housing to either satisfy previously unidentified replacement needs or address servicing situations. Units will be distributed to any State when the Administrator determines that additional allocations are necessary and appropriate.

(h) Pooling of funds. See § 1940.552(h) of this subpart. Units will be pooled at the Administrator's discretion.

(i) Obligation of the allocation. See § 1940.552(i) of this subpart.

(j) Suballocation by the State Director. See § 1940.552(j) of this subpart.

(k) Other documentation. Not applicable.

[49 FR 3727, Jan. 30, 1984, as amended at 53 FR 26229, July 12, 1988]

§ 1940.578 Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program.

(a) Amount available for allocations. See § 1940.552(a) of this subpart.

(b) Basic formula criteria, data source and weight. See § 1940.575(b) of this subpart.

(d) Transition formula. See § 1940.552(d) of this subpart.

(e) Base allocation. See § 1940.552(e) of this subpart.

(f) Administrative allocations. See § 1940.552(f) of this subpart.

(g) Reserve. See § 1940.552(g) of this subpart.

(h) Pooling of funds. See § 1940.552(h) of this subpart. Funds may be pooled after all HPG applications have been received and HPG fund demand by State has been determined. Pooled funds will be combined with the National Office reserve to fund eligible projects. Remaining HPG funds will be available for distribution for use under the Section 504 program.

(i) Availability of the allocation. See § 1940.552(i) of this subpart.

(j) Suballocation by the State Director. Not applicable.

(k) Other documentation. Funds for the HPG program will be available for a limited period each fiscal year. Due to the requirements by law to allocate funds on a formula basis to all States and to have a competitive selection process for HPG project selection, Rural Development will announce opening and closing dates for receipt of HPG applications. After the closing date, Rural Development will review and evaluate the proposals, adjust State allocations as necessary to comply with the law and program demand, and redistribute remaining unused HPG resources for use under Section 504 (as required by statute).

[53 FR 26229, July 12, 1988]

§ 1940.579 Multiple Family Housing appropriations not allocated by State.

Funds are not allocated to States. The following program funds are kept in a National Office reserve and are available as determined administratively:

(a) Section 514 Farm Labor Housing Loans.

(b) Section 516 Farm Labor Housing Grants.

[64 FR 24480, May 6, 1999]

§§ 1940.580-1940.584 [Reserved]

§ 1940.585 Community Facility loans.

(a) Amount available for allocations. See § 1940.552(a) of this subpart.

(b) Basic formula criteria, data source and weight. See § 1940.552(b) of this subpart.

(1) The criteria used in the basic formula are:

(i) State's percentage of national rural population—50 percent.

(ii) State's percentage of national rural population with incomes below the poverty level—25 percent.

(iii) State's percentage of national nonmetropolitan unemployment—25 percent.

(2) The data source for the first criterion is the most recent decennial Census data. The data source for the second criterion is the 5-year data from the American Community Survey (ACS) or, if needed, other Census Bureau data. The data source for the third criterion is the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Each criterion is assigned a specific weight according to its relevance in determining need. The percentage representing each criterion is multiplied by the weight factor and summed to arrive at a State factor (SF). The SF cannot exceed 0.05.

SF = (criterion (b)(1)(i) × 50 percent) + (criterion (b)(1)(ii) × 25 percent) + (criterion (b)(1)(iii) × 25 percent)

(c) Basic formula allocation. See § 1940.552(c) of this subpart. States receiving administrative allocations do not receive formula allocations.

(d) Transition formula. See § 1940.552(d) of this subpart. The percentage range for the transition formula equals 30 percent (±15%).

(e) Base allocation. See § 1940.552(e) of this subpart. States receiving administrative allocations do not receive base allocations.

(f) Administrative allocation. See § 1940.552(f) of this subpart. States participating in the formula base allocation procedures do not receive administrative allocations.

(g) Reserve. See § 1940.552(g) of this subpart. States may request funds by forwarding a completed copy of guide 26 of subpart A of part 1942 of this chapter (available in any Rural Development office), to the National Office. Generally, a request for additional funds will not be honored unless the State has insufficient funds to obligate the loan requested.

(h) Pooling of funds. See § 1940.552(h) of this subpart. Funds are generally pooled at mid-year and year-end. Pooled funds will be placed in the National Office reserve and will be made available administratively.

(i) Availability of the allocation. See § 1940.552(i) of this subpart. The allocation of funds is made available for States to obligate on an annual basis although the Office of Management and Budget apportions it to the Agency on a quarterly basis.

(j) Suballocation by the State Director. See § 1940.552(j) of this subpart. State Director has the option to suballocate to District Offices.

(k) Other documentation. Not applicable.

[50 FR 24180, June 10, 1985, as amended at 58 FR 54485, Oct. 22, 1993; 80 FR 9877, Feb. 24, 2015]

§§ 1940.586-1940.587 [Reserved]

§ 1940.588 Business and Industry Guaranteed and Direct Loans, Rural Business Development Grants, and Intermediary Relending Program.

The Agency will allocate funds to the States each Federal fiscal year for the programs identified in this section using the procedures specified in paragraph (a) of this section. If the Agency determines that it will not allocate funds to the States for a program identified in this section in a particular Federal fiscal year, the Agency will announce this decision in a notice published in the Federal Register. The conditions under which the Agency will not allocate a program's funds to the States are identified in paragraph (b) of this section.

(a) Procedures for allocating funds to the States. Each Federal fiscal year, the Agency will use the amount available to the program and the procedures identified in paragraphs (a)(2) through (10) of this section to determine the amount of program funds to allocate to each of the States. The Agency will make the allocation calculation each Federal fiscal year.

(1) Amount available for allocations. See § 1940.552(a) of this subpart.

(2) Basic formula criteria, data source and weight. See § 1940.552(b) of this subpart.

(i) The criteria used in the basic formula are:

(A) State's percentage of national rural population.

(B) State's percentage of national rural population with incomes below the poverty level.

(ii) The data sources for each of the criteria identified in paragraph (a) of this section are:

(A) For the criterion specified in paragraph (a)(2)(i)(A), the most recent decennial Census data.

(B) For the criterion specified in paragraph (a)(2)(i)(B), 5-year income data from the American Community Survey (ACS) or, if needed, other Census Bureau data.

(iii) Each criterion is assigned a specific weight factor according to its relevance in determining need. The percentage representing each criterion is multiplied by the weight factor and summed to arrive at State Factor (SF). The SF cannot exceed 0.05. The Agency may elect to use different weight factors than those identified in this paragraph by publishing a timely notice in the Federal Register.

SF = (criterion (a)(2)(i)(A) × 25 percent) + (criterion (a)(2)(i)(B) × 50 percent) + (criterion (a)(2)(i)(C) × 25 percent)

(iv) The Agency will recalculate, as necessary, each criterion specified in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section each year. In making these recalculations, the Agency will use the most recent data available to the Agency as of October 1 of the fiscal year for which the Agency is making State allocations. Each criterion's value determined at the beginning of a fiscal year for a program will be used for that entire fiscal year, regardless of when that fiscal year's funding becomes available for the program.

(3) Basic formula allocation. See § 1940.552(c) of this subpart.

(4) Transition formula. The transition provisions specified in § 1940.552(d) of this subpart apply to the programs identified in this section except as follows:

(i) The transition formula will be used only when the weight factors identified in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section are modified; and

(ii) When the transition formula is used, there will be no upper limitation on the amount that a State's allocation can increase over its previous year's allocation and the maximum percentage that funding will be allowed to decrease for a State will be 10 percent from its previous year's allocation.

(5) Base allocations. See § 1940.552(e) of this subpart.

(6) Administrative allocations. See § 1940.552(f) of this subpart. Jurisdictions receiving formula allocations do not receive administrative allocations.

(7) Reserve. See § 1940.552(g) of this subpart.

(8) Pooling of funds. See § 1940.552(h) of this subpart.

(9) Availability of allocation. See § 1940.552(i) of this subpart.

(10) Suballocation by the State Director. Suballocation by the State Director is authorized for each program covered by this section.

(b) Conditions for not allocating program funds to the States. The Agency may elect to not allocate program funds to the States whenever one of the conditions identified in paragraphs (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section occurs.

(1) Funds allocated in a fiscal year to a program identified in this section are insufficient, as provided for in § 1940.552(a) of this subpart.

(2) The Agency determines that it is in the best financial interest of the Federal Government not to make a State allocation for any program identified in this section and that the exercise of this determination is not in conflict with applicable law.

[79 FR 56218, Sept. 19, 2014]

§ 1940.589 Rural Energy for America Program.

The Agency will allocate funds to the States each Federal fiscal year for renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement projects under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) using the procedures specified in paragraph (a) of this section. If the Agency determines that it will not allocate funds to the States for REAP in a particular Federal fiscal year, the Agency will announce this decision in a notice published in the Federal Register. The conditions under which the Agency will not allocate the program's funds to the States are identified in paragraph (b) of this section.

(1) Amount available for allocations. See § 1940.552(a) of this subpart.

(2) Basic formula criteria, data source, and weight. See § 1940.552(b) of this subpart.

(i) The criteria used in the basic formula are:

(A) State's percentage of national rural population.

(B) State's percentage of national rural population with incomes below the poverty level.

(ii) The data sources for each of the criteria identified in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section are:

(A) For the criterion specified in paragraph (a)(2)(i)(A), the most recent decennial Census data.

(B) For the criterion specified in paragraph (a)(2)(i)(B), 5-year income data from the American Community Survey (ACS) or, if needed, other Census Bureau data.

SF = (criterion (a)(2)(i)(A) × 25 percent) + (criterion (a)(2)(i)(B) × 50 percent) + (criterion (a)(2)(i)(C) × 25 percent)

(3) Basic formula allocation. See § 1940.552(c) of this subpart.

(4) Transition formula. The transition provisions specified in § 1940.552(d) of this subpart apply to the program(s) identified in this section except as follows:

(i) The transition formula will be used only when the weight factors identified in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section are modified; and

(5) Base allocations. See § 1940.552(e) of this subpart.

(6) Administrative allocations. See § 1940.552(f) of this subpart. Jurisdictions receiving formula allocations do not receive initial administrative allocations.

(7) Reserve. See § 1940.552(g) of this subpart.

(8) Pooling of funds. See § 1940.552(h) of this subpart.

(9) Availability of the allocation. See § 1940.552(i) of this subpart.

(10) Suballocation by the State Director. Suballocation by the State Director is authorized for this program.

(b) Conditions for not allocating program funds to the States. The Agency may elect to not allocate REAP program funds to the States whenever one of the conditions identified in paragraphs (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section occurs.

(1) Funds allocated in a fiscal year to REAP are insufficient, as provided for in § 1940.552(a) of this subpart.

(2) The Agency determines that it is in the best financial interest of the Federal Government not to make a State allocation for REAP and that the exercise of this determination is not in conflict with applicable law.

[79 FR 56219, Sept. 19, 2014]

§ 1940.590 [Reserved]

§ 1940.591 Community Program Guaranteed loans.

(a) Amount available for allocations. See § 1940.552(a) of this subpart.

(b) Basic formula criteria, data source and weight. See § 1940.552(b) of this subpart.

(1) The criteria used in the basic formula are:

(i) State's percentage of national rural population—50 percent.

(ii) State's percentage of national rural population with incomes below the poverty level—25 percent.

(iii) State's percentage of national nonmetropolitan unemployment—25 percent.

SF = (criterion (b)(1)(i) × 50 percent) + (criterion (b)(1)(ii) × 25 percent) + (criterion (b)(1)(iii) × 25 percent)

(c) Basic formula allocation. See § 1940.552(c) of this subpart. States receiving administrative allocations do not receive formula allocations.

(d) Transition formula. The transition formula for Community Program Guaranteed loans is not used.

(e) Base allocation. See § 1940.552(e) of this subpart. States receiving administrative allocations do not receive base allocations.

(f) Administrative allocation. See 1940.552(f) of this subpart. States participating in the formula base allocation procedures do not receive administrative allocations.

(g) Reserve. See § 1940.522(g) of this subpart. States may request funds by forwarding a request following the format found in guide 26 of subpart A of part 1942 of this chapter to the National Office. Generally, a request for additional funds will not be honored unless the State has insufficient funds from the State's allocation to obligate the loan requested.

(h) Pooling of funds. See § 1940.522(h) of this subpart. Funds are generally pooled at mid-year and year-end. Pooled funds will be placed in the National Office reserve and will be made available administratively.

(j) Suballocation by State Director. See § 1940.552(j) of this subpart. State Director has the option to suballocate to District Offices.

(k) Other documentation. Not applicable.

[55 FR 11134, Mar. 27, 1990, as amended at 58 FR 54486, Oct. 22, 1993; 80 FR 9877, Feb. 24, 2015]

§ 1940.592 Community facilities grants.

(a) Amount available for allocations. See § 1940.552(a).

(b) Basic formula criteria, data source, and weight. See § 1940.552(b).

(1) The criteria used in the basic formula are:

(i) State's percentage of National rural population—50 percent.

(ii) State's percentage of National rural population with income below the poverty level—50 percent.

(2) The data source for the first criterion is the most recent decennial Census data. The data source for the second criterion is the 5-year data from the American Community Survey (ACS) or, if needed, other Census Bureau data. Each criterion is assigned a specific weight according to its relevance in determining need. The percentage representing each criterion is multiplied by the weight factor and summed to arrive at a State factor (SF).

SF (criterion (b)(1)(i) × 50 percent) + (criterion (b)(1)(ii) × 50 percent)

(c) Basic formula allocation. See § 1940.552(c). States receiving administrative allocations do not receive formula allocations.

(d) Transition formula. The transition formula for Community Facilities Grants is not used.

(e) Base allocation. See § 1940.552(e). States receiving administrative allocations do not receive base allocations.

(f) Administrative allocation. See § 1940.552(f). States participating in the formula base allocation procedures do not receive administrative allocations.

(g) Reserve. See § 1940.552(g).

(h) Pooling of funds. See § 1940.522(h). Funds will be pooled at midyear and yearend. Pooled funds will be placed in the National Office reserve and will be made available administratively.

(i) Availability of the allocation. See § 1940.552(i).

(j) Suballocation by State Director. See § 1940.552(j).

(k) Other documentation. Not applicable.

[62 FR 16468, Apr. 7, 1997, as amended at 80 FR 9877, Feb. 24, 2015]

§ 1940.593 Other Rural Business-Cooperative Service programs.

If the Agency determines that it is in the best interest of the Federal government to allocate funds to States for existing RBS programs other than those identified in §§ 1940.588 and 1940.589 of this subpart and for programs new to RBS (e.g., through new legislation), the Agency will use the process identified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this section.

(a) If the Agency determines that one of the State allocation procedures in § 1940.588 and § 1940.589 is appropriate for the program, the Agency will publish a Federal Register notice identifying the program and which State allocation procedure will be used for the program.

(b) If the Agency determines that none of the procedures specified in § 1940.588 and § 1940.589 is appropriate for the program, the Agency will implement the following steps:

(1) The Agency will either develop a preliminary state allocation formula and administrative procedures specific to the requirements of the new program or use whichever of the procedures in § 1940.588 and § 1940.589 the Agency determines most closely matches the purpose of the program. The Agency will publish in the Federal Register the State allocation formula and adminstrative procedures that it will use initially for the new program.

(2) The Agency will develop a State allocation formula and administrative provisions specific to the new program and publish them as a proposed rule change to this part in the Federal Register for public comment.

(3) Until the program's State allocation formula and administrative requirements are finalized, the Agency will use the preliminary State allocation formula established under paragraph (b)(1) of this section to make State allocations and administer the new program.

[79 FR 56220, Sept. 19, 2014]

§§ 1940.594-1940.600 [Reserved]

Exhibit A to Subpart L of Part 1940 [Reserved]

Exhibit B to Subpart L of Part 1940—Section 515 Nonprofit Set Aside (NPSA)

I. Objective: To provide eligible nonprofit entities with a reasonable opportunity to utilize section 515 funds.

II. Background: The Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 established the statutory authority for the section 515 NPSA funds.

III. Eligible entities. Amounts set aside shall be available only for nonprofit entities in the State, which may not be wholly or partially owned or controlled by a for-profit entity. An eligible entity may include a partnership, including a limited partnership, that has as its general partner a nonprofit entity or the nonprofit entity's for-profit subsidiary which will be receiving low-income housing tax credits authorized under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. For the purposes of this exhibit, a nonprofit entity is an organization that:

A. Will own an interest in a project to be financed under this section and will materially participate in the development and the operations of the project; and

B. Is a private organization that has nonprofit, tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) or section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and

C. Has among its purposes the planning, development, or management of low-income housing or community development projects; and

D. Is not affiliated with or controlled by a for-profit organization; and

E. May be a consumer cooperative, Indian tribe or tribal housing authority.

IV. Nondiscrimination. Rural Development reemphasizes the nondiscrimination in use and occupancy and location requirements of 7 CFR 3560.104.

V. Amount of Set Aside. See Attachment 1 of this exhibit (available in any FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 State Office):

A. Small State Allocation Set Aside (SSASA). The allocation for small States has been reserved and combined to form the SSASA, as shown in Attachment 1 of this exhibit (available in any FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 State Office). The definition of small State is included in Attachment 1 of this exhibit (available in any FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 State Office).

B. Large State Allocation Set Aside (LSASA). The allocation for large States has been reserved in the amounts shown in Attachment 1 of this exhibit (available in any FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 State Office). The definition of large State is included in Attachment 1 of this exhibit (available in any FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 State Office).

C. NPSA Rental Assistance (RA). NPSA RA has been reserved in the National Office as shown in Attachment 1 of this exhibit (available in any FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 State Office).

VI. Access to NPSA funds and RA. RA is available and may be requested, as needed, with eligible loan requests. NPSA funds and RA should be requested by the State Director using a format similar to Attachment 2 of this exhibit (available in any FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 State Office). Funds are available as follows:

A. SSASA: The SSASA is available to any SSASA State on a first-come-first-served basis until pooling. See Attachment 3 of this exhibit (available in any FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 State Office) for information regarding pooling.

B. LSASA: LSASA states may request LSASA funds up to the amount the state contributed to LSASA until pooling. See Attachment 3 of this exhibit (available in any FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 State Office) for information regarding pooling.

VII. General Information on priority/processing of Preapplications.

A. Preapplications/applications for assistance from eligible nonprofit entities under this subpart must continue to meet all loan making requirements of 7 CFR part 3560, subpart B.

B. A separate processing list will be maintained for NPSA loan requests.

C. The State Director may issue Form AD-622, “Notice of Preapplication Review Action”, requesting a formal application to the highest ranking preapplication(s) from eligible nonprofit entities defined in paragraph III of this exhibit as follows:

1. LSASA. In LSASA States, AD-622s may not exceed 150 percent of the amount the State contributed to the LSASA. No single Form AD-622 may exceed the amount of funds the State contributed to LSASA.

2. SSASA. In SSASA States, AD-622s should not exceed the greater of $750,000 or 150 percent of the amount the State contributed to the SSASA; except that the State Director in a SSASA State may request authorization to issue a Form AD-622, in an amount in excess of $750,000 if additional funds are necessary to finance an average-size proposal based upon average construction costs in the state. For example, if the average size proposal currently being funded in the state is 24 units, and the average construction cost in the state is $35,000 per unit, the state may request authorization to issue an AD-622 for $840,000. The State Director will submit such requests to the National Office including data reflecting average size/cost projects in the State. No single Form AD-622 may exceed the amount of funds the State may receive from SSASA.

D. All AD-622s issued for proposals to be funded from NPSA will be subject to the availability of NPSA funds. Form AD-622 should contain the following or similar language: “This Form AD-622 is issued subject to the availability of Nonprofit Set-Aside (NPSA) funds.”

E. If a preapplication requesting NPSA funds has sufficient priority points to compete with non-NPSA loan requests based upon the District or State allocation (as applicable), the preapplication will be maintained on both the NPSA and non-NPSA rating/ranking lists.

F. Provisions for providing preference to loan requests from nonprofit organizations is contained in 7 CFR 3560.56. Limited partnerships, with a nonprofit general partner, do not qualify for nonprofit preference.

VIII. Exception authority. The Administrator, or his/her designee, may, in individual cases, make an exception to any requirements of this exhibit which are not inconsistent with the authorizing statute, if he/she finds that application of such requirement would adversely affect the interest of the Government or adversely affect the intent of the authorizing statute and/or Rural Rental Housing program or result in an undue hardship by applying the requirement. The Administrator, or his/her designee, may exercise this authority upon the request of the State Director, Assistant Administrator for Housing, or Director of the Multi-Family Housing Processing Division. The request must be supported by information that demonstrates the adverse impact or effect on the program. The Administrator, or his/her designee, also reserves the right to change pooling dates, establish/change minimum and maximum fund usage from NPSA, or restrict participation in the set aside.

[58 FR 38950, July 21, 1993, as amended at 69 FR 69104, Nov. 26, 2004]

Exhibit C to Subpart L of Part 1940—Housing in Underserved Areas

I. Objective

A. To improve the quality of affordable housing by targeting funds under Rural Housing Targeting Set Aside (RHTSA) to designated areas that have extremely high concentrations of poverty and substandard housing and have severe, unmet rural housing needs.

B. To provide for the eligibility of certain colonias for rural housing funds.

II. Background

The Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 (herein referred to as the “Act”) requires that Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 set aside section 502, 504, 514, 515, and 524 funds for assistance in targeted, underserved areas. An appropriate amount of section 521 new construction rental assistance (RA) is set aside for use with section 514 and 515 loan programs. Under the Act, certain colonias are now eligible for FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 housing assistance.

III. Colonias

A. Colonia is defined as any identifiable community that:

1. Is in the State of Arizona, California, New Mexico or Texas;

2. Is in the area of the United States within 150 miles of the border between the United States and Mexico, except that the term does not include any standard metropolitan statistical area that has a population exceeding 1 million;

3. Is designated by the State or county in which it is located as a colonia;

4. Is determined to be a colonia on the basis of objective criteria, including lack of potable water supply, lack of adequate sewage systems, and lack of decent, safe, and sanitary housing; and

5. Was in existence and generally recognized as a colonia before November 28, 1990.

B. Requests for housing assistance in colonias have priority as follows:

1. When the State did not obligate its allocation in one or more of its housing programs during the previous 2 fiscal years (FYs), priority will be given to requests for assistance, in the affected program(s), from regularly allocated funds, until an amount equal to 5 percent of the current FY program(s) allocation is obligated in colonias. This priority takes precedence over other processing priority methods.

2. When the State did obligate its allocation in one or more of its housing programs during the previous 2 FYs, priority will be given to requests for assistance, in the affected program(s), from RHTSA funds, until an amount equal to 5 percent of the current FY program(s) allocation is obligated in colonias. This priority takes precedence over other processing priority methods.

C. Colonias may access pooled RHTSA funds as provided in paragraph IV G of this exhibit.

IV. RHTSA

A. Amount of Set Aside. Set asides for RHTSA, from the current FY allocations, are established in attachment 1 of this exhibit (available in any FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 State Office).

B. Selection of Targeted Counties —

1. Eligibility. Eligible counties met the following criteria: (1) 20 percent or more of the county population is at, or below, poverty level; (2) 10 percent or more of the occupied housing units are substandard; and (3) the average funds received on a per capita basis in the county, during the previous 5 FYs, were more than 40 percent below the State per capita average during the same period. Data from the most recent available Census was used for all three criteria, with criteria (2) and (3) based on the FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 rural area definition.

2. Selection. The Act requires that 100 of the most underserved counties be initially targeted for RHTSA funds. In establishing the 100 counties, those with 28 percent or more of their population at, or below, poverty level and 13 percent or more of their occupied housing units substandard, have preference. If less than 100 counties meet this criteria, the remaining counties meeting the criteria in paragraph IV B 1 of this exhibit will be ranked, based upon a total of their substandard housing and poverty level percentages. The highest-ranking counties are then selected until the list reaches 100. The remaining counties are eligible for pool funds only.

C. State RHTSA Levels. In the section 502, 504, and 515 programs, each State's RHTSA level will be based on its number of eligible counties, with each county receiving a pro rata share of the total funds available. In order to ensure that a meaningful amount of assistance is available to each State, minimum funding levels may be established. When minimum levels are established, they are set forth on Attachment 1 of this exhibit (available in any FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 State Office).

D. Use of Funds. To maximize the assistance to targeted counties, allocated program funds should be used in addition to RHTSA funds, where possible. The State Director has the discretion to determine the most effective delivery of RHTSA funds among the targeted counties within his/her jurisdiction. The 100 counties listed in attachment 2 of this exhibit (available in any FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 State Office) are eligible for RHTSA funding consideration immediately. Colonias are also eligible for RHTSA funds as described in paragraph III of this exhibit.

E. National Office RHTSA Reserve. A limited National Office reserve is available on an individual case basis when the State is unable to fund a request from its regular or RHTSA allocation. The amount of the reserve, and the date it can be accessed and any conditions thereof, if applicable, are contained in attachment 1 of this exhibit (available in any FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 State Office).

F. Requests for Funds and RA. All RHTSA funds are reserved in the National Office and requests for these funds and/or RA units must be submitted by the State Director, using the applicable format shown on attachment 4 or 5 of this exhibit (available in any FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 State Office). The State Director is responsible for notifying the Director of Single Family Housing Processing Division (SFHPD) or Multi-Family Housing Processing Division (MFHPD) of any RHTSA funds and RA units authorized, but not obligated, by RHTSA pooling date.

G. Pooling. Unused RHTSA funds and RA will be pooled. Pooling dates and any pertinent information thereof are available on attachment 1 of this exhibit (available in any FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 State Office). Pooled funds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to all eligible colonias and all counties listed on attachments 2 and 3 of this exhibit (available in any FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 State Office). Pooled RHTSA funds will remain available until the year-end pooling date.

H.-I. [Reserved]

J. Requests for Assistance. Requests for assistance in targeted counties must meet all loan making requirements of the applicable program Instructions, except as modified for colonias in paragraph III of this exhibit. For section 515, States may:

1. Issue Form AD-622, “Notice of Preapplication Review Action,” up to 150 percent of the amount shown in attachment 1 of this exhibit (available in any FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 State Office).

2. All AD-622s issued for applicants in targeted counties will be annotated, in Item 7, under “Other Remarks,” with the following: “Issuance of this AD-622 is contingent upon receiving funds from the Rural Housing Targeting Set Aside (RHTSA). Should RHTSA funds be unavailable, or the county in which this project will be located is no longer considered a targeted county, this AD-622 will no longer be valid. In these cases, the request for assistance will need to compete with other preapplications in non-targeted counties, based upon its priority point score.”

V. [Reserved]

[57 FR 3924, Feb. 3, 1992]

Subparts M-S [Reserved]

Subpart T - System for Delivery of Certain Rural Development Programs

Source:

57 FR 11559, Apr. 6, 1992, unless otherwise noted.

§ 1940.951 General.

This subpart sets forth Rural Development policies and procedures for the delivery of certain rural development programs under a rural economic development review panel established in eligible States authorized under sections 365, 366, 367, and 368 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.), as amended.

(a) If a State desires to participate in this pilot program, the Governor of the State may submit an application to the Under Secretary for Small Community and Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, room 219-A, Administration Building, Washington, DC 20250 in accordance with § 1940.954 of this subpart.

(b) The Under Secretary shall designate not more than five States in which to make rural economic development review panels applicable during any established time period for the purpose of reviewing and ranking applications submitted for funding under certain rural development programs. The following time periods have been established for participation in this pilot program:

First period—Balance of fiscal year (FY) 1992 to September 30, 1993;

Second period—October 1, 1993 to September 30, 1994;

Third period—October 1, 1994 to September 30, 1995; and

Fourth period—October 1, 1995 to September 30, 1996.

The State will be bound by the provisions of this pilot program only during the established time period(s) for which the State is designated. If a designated State does not remain an eligible State during the established time period(s) for which the State was designated, the State will not be eligible to participate in this program and cannot revert to the old ranking and applicant selection process.

(c) Assistance under each designated rural development program shall be provided to eligible designated States for qualified projects in accordance with this subpart.

(d) Federal statutes provide for extending Rural Development financially supported programs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age, familial status, or physical/mental handicap (provided the participant possesses the capacity to enter into legal contracts.)

§ 1940.952 [Reserved]

§ 1940.953 Definitions.

For the purpose of this subpart:

Administrator. The Administrator of Rural Business—Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, or Rural Utilities Service.

Area plan. The long-range development plan developed for a local or regional area in a State.

Designated agency. An agency selected by the Governor of the State to provide the panel and the State Coordinator with support for the daily operation of the panel.

Designated rural development program. A program carried out under sections 304(b), 306(a), or subsections (a) through (f) and (h) of section 310B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)), as amended, or under section 1323 of the Food Security Act of 1985, for which funds are available at any time during the FY under such section, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Water and Waste Disposal Insured or Guaranteed Loans;

(2) Development Grants for Community Domestic Water and Waste Disposal Systems;

(3) Technical Assistance and Training Grants;

(4) Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants;

(5) Community Facilities Insured and Guaranteed Loans;

(6) Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans;

(7) Industrial Development Grants;

(8) Intermediary Relending Program;

(9) Drought and Disaster Relief Guaranteed Loans;

(10) Disaster Assistance for Rural Business Enterprises;

(11) Nonprofit National Rural Development and Finance Corporations.

Designated State. A State selected by the Under Secretary, in accordance with § 1940.954 of this subpart, to participate in this program.

Eligible State. With respect to a FY, a State that has been determined eligible in accordance with § 1940.954 (e) of this subpart.

Nondesignated State. A State that has not been selected to participate in this pilot program.

Qualified project. Any project:

(1) For which the designated agency has identified alternative Federal, State, local or private sources of assistance and has identified related activities in the State; and

(2) To which the Administrator is required to provide assistance.

State. Any of the fifty States.

State coordinator. The officer or employee of the State appointed by the Governor to carry out the activities described in § 1940.957 of this subpart.

State Director. The head of Rural Development at the local level charged with administering designated rural development programs.

State rural economic development review panel or “panel”. An advisory panel that meets the requirements of § 1940.956 of this subpart.

Under Secretary. In the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Under Secretary for Small Community and Rural Development.

§ 1940.954 State participation.

(a) Application. If a State desires to participate in this pilot program, the Governor may submit an original and one copy of Standard Form (SF) 424.1, “Application for Federal Assistance (For Non-construction),” to the Under Secretary. The five States designated by the Under Secretary to participate in the first established time period will be selected from among applications received not later than 60 calendar days from the effective date of this subpart. If a designated State desires to participate in additional time periods, applications are not required to be resubmitted; however, the Governor must notify the Under Secretary, in writing, no later than July 31 of each FY, and the State must submit evidence of eligibility requirements each FY in accordance with § 1940.954 (e)(2) of this subpart. Beginning in FY 1993, applications must be submitted to the Under Secretary no later than July 31 if a State desires to be selected to fill vacancies that occur when designated States do not roll over into another established time period. States should include the following information with SF 424.1:

(1) A narrative signed by the Governor including reasons for State participation in this program and reasons why a project review and ranking process by a State panel will improve the economic and social conditions of rural areas in the State. The narrative will also include the time period(s) for which the State wishes to participate.

(2) A proposal outlining the method for meeting all the following eligibility requirements and the timeframes established for meeting each requirement:

(i) Establishing a rural economic development review panel in accordance with § 1940.956 of this subpart. When established, the name, title, and address of each proposed member should be included and the chairperson and vice chairperson should be identified.

(ii) Governor's proposed designation of a State agency to support the State coordinator and the panel. The name, address, and telephone number of the proposed agency's contact person should be included.

(iii) Governor's proposed selection of a State coordinator in accordance with § 1940.957 of this subpart, including the title, address, and telephone number.

(iv) Development of area development plans for all areas of the State that are eligible to receive assistance from designated rural development programs.

(v) The review and evaluation of area development plans by the panel in accordance with § 1940.956 of this subpart.

(vi) Development of written policy and criteria used by the panel to review and evaluate area plans in accordance with § 1940.956 of this subpart.

(vii) Development of written policy and criteria the panel will use to evaluate and rank applications in accordance with § 1940.956 of this subpart.

(3) Preparation of a proposed budget that includes 3 years projections of income and expenses associated with panel operations. If funds from other sources are anticipated, sources and amounts should be identified.

(4) Development of a financial management system that will provide for effective control and accountability of all funds and assets associated with the panel.

(5) A schedule to coordinate the submission, review, and ranking process of preapplications/applications in accordance with § 1940.956(a) of this subpart.

(6) Other information provided by the State in support of its application.

(b) Selecting States. The Under Secretary will review the application and other information submitted by the State and designate not more than five States to participate during any established time period.

(1) The Under Secretary will notify the Governor of each State whether or not the State has been selected for further consideration in this program. If a State has been selected, the notification will include the additional information that the Governor must submit to the Under Secretary in order for the State to meet eligibility requirements in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.

(2) A copy of the notification to the Governor will be submitted to the Administrator along with a copy of the State's application and other material submitted in support of the application.

(d) Determining State eligibility.

(1) The Governor will provide the Under Secretary with evidence that the State has complied with the eligibility requirements of paragraph (a)(2) of this section not later than September 1, 1992, for the first established time period and not later than September 1 for each of the remaining established time periods.

(2) The Under Secretary will review the material submitted by the Governor in sufficient detail to determine if a State has complied with all eligibility requirements of this subpart. The panel will not begin reviewing and ranking applications until the Governor has been notified in writing by the Under Secretary that the State has been determined eligible and is designated to participate in this program. A copy of the notification will be sent to the Administrator. The Under Secretary's decision is not appealable.

(e) Eligibility requirements.

(1) With respect to this subpart, the Under Secretary may determine a State to be an eligible State provided all of the following apply not later than October 1 of each FY:

(i) The State has established a rural economic development review panel that meets the requirements of § 1940.956 of this subpart;

(ii) The Governor has appointed an officer or employee of the State government to serve as State coordinator to carry out the responsibilities set forth in § 1940.957 of this subpart; and

(iii) The Governor has designated an agency of the State government to provide the panel and State coordinator with support for the daily operation of the panel.

(2) If a State is determined eligible initially and desires to participate in additional time periods established for this program, the Governor will submit documents and information not later than September 1 of each subsequent FY in sufficient detail for the Under Secretary to determine, prior to the beginning of the additional time period, that the State is still in compliance with all eligibility requirements of this subpart.

§ 1940.955 Distribution of program funds to designated States.

(a) States selected to participate in the first established time period will receive funds from designated rural development programs according to applicable program regulations until the end of FY 1992, if necessary for States to have sufficient time to meet the eligibility requirements of this subpart, and to be designated to participate in this program. No funds will be administered under this subpart to an ineligible State.

(b) If a State becomes an eligible State any time prior to the end of FY 1992, any funds remaining unobligated from a State's FY 1992 allocation, may be administered under this subpart.

(c) Beginning in FY 1993 and for each established time period thereafter, all designated rural development program funds received by a designated State will be administered in accordance with §§ 1940.961 through 1940.965 of this subpart, provided the State is determined eligible prior to the beginning of each FY in accordance with § 1940.954 of this subpart. No assistance will be provided under any designated rural development program in any designated State that is not an eligible State.

§ 1940.956 State rural economic development review panel.

(a) General. In order for a State to become or remain an eligible State, the State must have a rural economic development panel that meets all requirements of this subpart. Each designated State will establish a schedule whereby the panel and Rural Development will coordinate the submission, review, and ranking process of preapplications/applications. The schedule will be submitted to the Under Secretary for concurrence and should consider the following:

(1) Timeframes should assure that applications selected for funding from the current FY's allocation of funds can be processed by Rural Development and funds obligated prior to the July 15 pooling established in § 1940.961(c) of this subpart;

(2) Initial submission of preapplications/applications from Rural Development to the panel and any subsequent submissions during the first year;

(3) How often during each FY thereafter should Rural Development submit preapplications/applications to the panel for review and ranking;

(4) Number of working days needed by the panel to review and rank preapplications/applications;

(5) Number of times during the FY the panel will submit a list of ranked preapplications/applications to Rural Development for funding consideration;

(6) Consider the matching of available loan and grant funds to assure that all allocated funds will be used;

(7) How to consider ranked preapplications/applications at the end of the FY that have not been funded; and

(8) How to consider requests for additional funds needed by an applicant to complete a project that already has funds approved; i.e., construction bid cost overrun.

(b) Duties and responsibilities. The panel is required to advise the State Director on the desirability of funding applications from funds available to the State from designated rural development programs. In relation to this advice, the panel will have the following duties and responsibilities:

(1) Establish policy and criteria to review and evaluate area plans and to review and rank preapplications/applications.

(i) Area plan. The panel will develop a written policy and criteria to use when evaluating area plans. The criteria to be used when evaluating area plans will assure that the plan includes, as a minimum, the technical information included in § 1940.959 of this subpart. The criteria will be in sufficient detail for the panel to determine that the plan is technically and economically adequate, feasible, and likely to succeed in meeting the stated goals of the plan. The panel will give weight to area-wide or regional plans and comments submitted by intergovernmental development councils or similar organizations made up of local elected officials charged with the responsibility for rural area or regional development. A copy of the policy and evaluating criteria will be provided to Rural Development.

(ii) Applications. The panel will annually review the policy and criteria used by the panel to evaluate and rank preapplications/applications in accordance with this subpart. The panel will assure that the policy and criteria are consistent with current rural development needs, and that the public has an opportunity to provide input during the development of the initial policy and criteria. The Governor will provide a copy of the initial policy and criteria established by the panel when submitting evidence of eligibility in accordance with § 1940.954 of this subpart. Annually, thereafter, and not later than September 1 of each FY, the State coordinator will send the Under Secretary evidence that the panel has reviewed the established policy and criteria. The State coordinator will also send the Under Secretary a copy of all revisions.

(A) The policy and criteria used to rank applications for business related projects will include the following, which are not necessarily in rank order:

(1) The extent to which a project stimulate rural development by creating new jobs of a permanent nature or retaining existing jobs by enabling new small businesses to be started, or existing businesses to be expanded by local or regional area residents who own and operate the businesses.

(2) The extent to which a project will contribute to the enhancement and the diversification of the local or regional area economy.

(3) The extent to which a project will generate or retain jobs for local or regional area residents.

(4) The extent to which a project will be carried out by persons with sufficient management capabilities.

(5) The extent to which a project is likely to become successful.

(6) The extent to which a project will assist a local or regional area overcome severe economic distress.

(7) The distribution of assistance to projects in as many areas as possible in the State with sensitivity to geographic distribution.

(8) The technical aspects of the project.

(9) The market potential and marketing arrangement for the projects.

(10) The potential of such project to promote the growth of a rural community by improving the ability of the community to increase the number of persons residing in the community and by improving the quality of life for these persons.

(B) The policy and criteria used to rank preapplications/applications for infrastructure and all other community facility-type projects will include the following which are not necessarily in rank order:

(1) The extent to which the project will have the potential to promote the growth of a rural community by improving the quality of life for local or regional residents.

(2) The extent to which the project will affect the health and safety of local or regional area residents.

(3) The extent to which the project will improve or enhance cultural activities, public service, education, or transportation.

(4) The extent to which the project will affect business productivity and efficiency.

(5) The extent to which the project will enhance commercial business activity.

(6) The extent to which the project will address a severe loss or lack of water quality or quantity.

(7) The extent to which the project will correct a waste collection or disposal problem.

(8) The extent to which the project will bring a community into compliance with Federal or State water or waste water standards.

(9) The extent to which the project will consolidate water and waste systems and utilize management efficiencies in the new system.

(2) Review and evaluate area plans. Each area plan submitted for a local or regional area will be reviewed and evaluated by the panel. After an area plan has been reviewed and evaluated in accordance with established policy and criteria:

(i) The panel will accept any area plan that meets established criteria unless the plan is incompatible with any other area plan for that area that has been accepted by the panel; or

(ii) The panel will return any area plan that is technically or economically inadequate, not feasible, is unlikely to be successful, or is not compatible with other panel-accepted area plans for that area. When an area plan is returned, the panel will include an explanation of the reasons for the return and suggest alternative proposals.

(iii) The State coordinator will notify the State Director, in writing, of the panel's decision on each area plan reviewed.

(3) Review and rank preapplications/applications. The panel will review, rank, and transmit a ranked list of preapplications/applications according to the schedule prepared in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, and the following:

(i) Review preapplications/applications. The panel will review each preapplication/application for assistance to determine if the project to be carried out is compatible with the area plan in which the project described in the preapplication/application is proposed, and either:

(A) Accept any preapplication/application determined to be compatible with such area plan; or

(B) Return to the State Director any preapplication/application determined not to be compatible with such area plan. The panel will notify the applicant when preapplication/applications are returned to the State Director.

(ii) Rank preapplications/applications. The panel will rank only those preapplications/applications that have been accepted in accordance with paragraph (b)(3)(i)(A) of this section. The panel will consider the sources of assistance and related activities in the State identified by the designated agency. Applications will be ranked in accordance with the written policy and criteria established in accordance with paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section and the following:

(A) Priority ranking for projects addressing health emergencies. In addition to the criteria established in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, preapplications/applications for projects designed to address a health emergency declared so by the appropriate Federal or State agency, will be given priority by the panel.

(B) Priority based on need. If two or more preapplications/applications ranked in accordance with this subpart are determined to have comparable strengths in their feasibility and potential for growth, the panel will give priority to the applications for projects with the greatest need.

(C) If additional ranking criteria for use by a panel are required in any designated rural development program regulation, the panel will give consideration to the criteria when ranking preapplications/applications submitted under that program.

(iii) Transmit list of ranked preapplications/applications. After the preapplications/applications have been ranked, the panel will submit a list of all preapplications/applications received to the State coordinator. The list will clearly indicate each preapplication/application accepted for funding and will list preapplications/applications in the order established for funding according to priority ranking by the panel. The list will not include a preapplication/application that is to be returned to the applicant in accordance with paragraph (b)(3)(i)(B) of this section. The State coordinator will send a copy of the list to the State Director for further processing of the preapplication/application in accordance with § 1940.965 of this subpart. Once the panel has ranked and submitted the list to Rural Development and the State Director has selected a preapplication/application for funding, the preapplication/application selected will not be replaced with a preapplication/application received at a later date that may have a higher ranking.

(4) Public availability of list. If requested, the State coordinator will make the list of ranked preapplications/applications available to the public and will include a brief explanation and justification of why the project preapplications/applications received their priority ranking.

(1) Voting members. The panel will be composed of not more than 16 voting members who are representatives of rural areas. The 16 voting members will include the following:

(i) One of whom is the Governor of the State or the person designated by the Governor to serve on the panel, on behalf of the Governor, for that year;

(ii) One of whom is the director of the State agency responsible for economic and community development or the person designated by the director to serve on the panel, on behalf of the director, for that year:

(iii) One of whom is appointed by a statewide association of banking organizations;

(iv) One of whom is appointed by a statewide association of investor-owned utilities;

(v) One of whom is appointed by a statewide association of rural telephone cooperatives;

(vi) One of whom is appointed by a statewide association of noncooperative telephone companies;

(vii) One of whom is appointed by a statewide association of rural electric cooperatives;

(viii) One of whom is appointed by a statewide association of health care organizations;

(ix) One of whom is appointed by a statewide association of existing local government-based planning and development organizations;

(x) One of whom is appointed by the Governor of the State from either a statewide rural development organization or a statewide association of publicly-owned electric utilities, neither of which is described in any of paragraphs (c)(1)(iii) through (ix);

(xi) One of whom is appointed by a statewide association of counties;

(xii) One of whom is appointed by a statewide association of towns and townships, or by a statewide association of municipal leagues, as determined by the Governor;

(xiii) One of whom is appointed by a statewide association of rural water districts;

(xiv) The State director of the Federal small business development center or, if there is no small business development center in place with respect to the State, the director of the State office of the Small Business Administration;

(xv) The State representative of the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce; and

(xvi) One of whom is appointed by the State Director from among the officers and employees of Rural Development.

(2) Nonvoting members. The panel will have not more than four nonvoting members who will serve in an advisory capacity and who are representatives of rural areas. The four nonvoting members will be appointed by the Governor and include:

(i) One from names submitted by the dean or the equivalent official of each school or college of business, from colleges and universities in the State;

(ii) One from names submitted by the dean or the equivalent official of each school or college of engineering, from colleges and universities in the State;

(iii) One from names submitted by the dean or the equivalent official, of each school or college of agriculture, from colleges and universities in the State; and

(iv) The director of the State agency responsible for extension services in the State.

(3) Qualifications of panel members appointed by the Governor. Each individual appointed to the panel by the Governor will be specially qualified to serve on the panel by virtue of the individual's technical expertise in business and community development.

(4) Notification of selection. Each statewide organization that selects an individual to represent the organization on the panel must notify the Governor of the selection.

(5) Appointment of members representative of statewide organization in certain cases.

(i) If there is no statewide association or organization of the entities described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the Governor of the State will appoint an individual to fill the position or positions, as the case may be, from among nominations submitted by local groups of such entities.

(ii) If a State has more than one of any of the statewide associations or organizations of the entities described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the Governor will select one of the like organizations to name a member to serve during no more than one established time period. Thereafter, the Governor will rotate selection from among the remaining like organizations to name a member.

(d) Failure to appoint panel members. The failure of the Governor, a Federal agency, or an association or organization described in paragraph (c) of this section, to appoint a member to the panel as required under this subpart, shall not prevent a State from being determined an eligible State.

(e) Panel vacancies. A vacancy on the panel will be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. Vacancies should be filled prior to the third panel meeting held after the vacany occurred. The State coordinator will notify the State Director, in writing, when the vacancy is filled or if the vacancy will not be filled.

(f) Chairperson and vice chairperson. The panel will select two members of the panel who are not officers or employees of the United States to serve as the chairperson and vice chairperson of the panel. The term shall be for 1 year.

(g) Compensation to panel members —

(1) Federal members. Except as provided in § 1940.960 of this subpart, each member of the panel who is an officer or employee of the Federal Government may not receive any compensation or benefits by reason of service on the panel, in addition to that which is received for performance of such officer or employee's regular employment.

(2) NonFederal members. Each nonfederal member may be compensated by the State and/or from grant funds established in § 1940.968 of this subpart.

(h) Rules governing panel meetings —

(1) Quorum. A majority of voting members of the panel will constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business of the panel.

(2) Frequency of meetings. The panel will meet not less frequently than quarterly. Frequency of meetings should be often enough to assure that applications are reviewed and ranked for funding in a timely manner.

(3) First meeting. The State coordinator will schedule the first panel meeting and will notify all panel members of the location, date, and time at least seven days prior to the meeting. Subsequent meetings will be scheduled by vote of the panel.

(4) Records of meetings. The panel will keep records of the minutes of the meetings, deliberations, and evaluations of the panel in sufficient detail to enable the panel to provide interested agencies or persons the reasons for its actions.

(i) Federal Advisory Committee Act. The Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to any State rural economic development review panel.

(j) Liability of members. The members of a State rural economic development review panel shall not be liable to any person with respect to any determination made by the panel.

§ 1940.957 State coordinator.

The Governor will appoint an officer or employee of State government as State coordinator in order for a State to become and remain an eligible State under this subpart. The State coordinator will have the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Manage, operate, and carry out the instructions of the panel;

(b) Serve as liaison between the panel and the Federal and State agencies involved in rural development;

(c) Coordinate the efforts of interested rural residents with the panel and ensure that all rural residents in the State are informed about the manner in which assistance under designated rural development programs is provided to the State pursuant to this subpart, and if requested, provide information to State residents; and

(d) Coordinate panel activities with Rural Development.

§ 1940.958 Designated agency.

The Governor will appoint a State agency to provide the panel and the State coordinator with support for the daily operation of the panel. In addition to providing support, the designated agency is responsible for identifying:

(a) Alternative sources of financial assistance for project preapplications/applications reviewed and ranked by the panel, and

(b) Related activities within the State.

§ 1940.959 Area plan.

Each area plan submitted to the panel for review in accordance with § 1940.956 of this subpart shall identify the geographic boundaries of the area and shall include the following information:

(a) An overall development plan for the area with goals, including business development and infrastructure development goals, and time lines based on a realistic assessment of the area, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) The number and types of businesses in the area that are growing or declining;

(2) A list of the types of businesses that the area could potentially support;

(3) The outstanding need for water and waste disposal and other public services or facilities in the area;

(4) The realistic possibilities for industrial recruitment in the area;

(5) The potential for development of tourism in the area;

(6) The potential to generate employment in the area through creation of small businesses and the expansion of existing businesses; and

(7) The potential to produce value-added agricultural products in the area.

(b) An inventory and assessment of the human resources of the area, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) A current list of organizations in the area and their special interests;

(2) The current level of participation of area residents in rural development activities and the level of participation required for successful implementation of the plan;

(3) The availability of general and specialized job training in the area and the extent to which the training needs of the area are not being met;

(4) A list of area residents with special skills which could be useful in developing and implementing the plan; and

(5) An analysis of the human needs of the area, the resources in the area available to meet those needs, and the manner in which the plan, if implemented, would increase the resources available to meet those needs.

(c) The current degree of intergovernmental cooperation in the area and the degree of such cooperation needed for the successful implementation of the plan.

(d) The ability and willingness of governments and citizens in the area to become involved in developing and implementing the plan.

(e) A description of how the governments in the area apply budget and fiscal control processes to the plan. This process is directed toward costs associated with carrying out the planned development. When plans are developed, the financial condition of all areas covered under the plan should be fully recognized and planned development should realistically reflect the area's immediate and long-range financial capabilities.

(f) The extent to which public services and facilities need to be improved to achieve the economic development and quality of life goals of the plan. At a minimum, the following items will be considered:

(1) Law enforcement;

(2) Fire protection;

(3) Water, sewer, and solid waste management;

(4) Education;

(5) Health care;

(6) Transportation;

(7) Housing;

(8) Communications; and

(9) The availability of and capability to generate electric power.

(g) Existing area or regional plans are acceptable provided the plan includes statements that indicate the degree to which the plan has met or is meeting all the requirements in paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section.

§ 1940.960 Federal employee panel members.

(a) The State Director will appoint one Rural Development employee to serve as a voting member of the panel established in § 1940.956(c)(1) of this subpart.

(b) The Administrator may appoint, temporarily and for specific purposes, personnel from any department or agency of the Federal Government as nonvoting panel members, with the consent of the head of such department or agency, to provide official information to the panel. The member(s) appointed shall have expertise to perform a duty described in § 1940.956(b) of this subpart that is not available among panel members.

(c) Federal panel members will be paid per diem or otherwise reimbursed by the Federal Government for expenses incurred each day the employee is engaged in the actual performance of a duty of the panel. Reimbursement will be in accordance with Federal travel regulations.

§ 1940.961 Allocation of appropriated funds.

(a) Initial allocations.

(1) Each FY, from sums appropriated for direct loans, loan guarantees, or grants for any designated rural development program, funds will be allocated to designated States in accordance with RD Instruction subpart L of part 1940, exhibit A, attachment 4, of this chapter (available in any RD State or District Office).

(2) Each FY, and normally within 30 days after the date Rural Development receives an appropriation of designated rural development program funds, the Governor of each designated State will be notified of the amounts allocated to the State under each designated program for such FY. The Governor will also be notified of the total amounts appropriated for the FY for each designated rural development program.

(3) The State Director will fund projects from a designated State's allocation of funds, according to appropriate program regulations giving great weight to the order in which the preapplications/applications for projects are ranked and listed by the panel in accordance with § 1940.956(b)(3) of this subpart.

(b) Reserve. A percentage of the National Office reserve established in subpart L of part 1940 of this chapter will be used to establish a reserve for designated States that is separate and apart from that of nondesignated States. The percent reserved will be based upon the same criteria used in subpart L of part 1940 of this chapter to allocate program funds.

(1) On July 15 of each FY, and from time to time thereafter during the FY, as determined appropriate, unobligated funds will be pooled from among the designated States. Pooled funds will be made a part of the reserve established for designated States and will revert to National Office control.

(2) Funds pooled from designated States can be requested by designated States, pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. The designated States' pool; however, will not be available to nondesignated States until September 1 of each year.

(d) Request for funds.

(1) Designated States may request designated States' reserve funds, and funds for other designated rural development programs controlled by the National Office, as shown in RD Instruction subpart L of part 1940, exhibit A, attachment 4, of this chapter, in accordance with applicable program regulations.

(2) Designated States may request funds from the nondesignated reserve account when:

(i) All allocated and reserve funds to designated states have been used, or

(ii) Sufficient funds do not remain in any designated State allocation and in the designated States' reserve account to fund a project.

§ 1940.962 Authority to transfer direct loan amounts.

(a) Transfer of funds. If the amounts allocated to a designated State for direct Water and Waste Disposal or Community Facility loans for a FY are not sufficient to provide the full amount requested for a project in accordance with this subpart, the State Director may transfer part or all of the funds allocated to the State, from one program to another, subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.

(b) Limitation on amounts transferred.

(1) Amounts transferred within a designated State. The amount of direct loan funds transferred from a program under this section shall not exceed the amount left unobligated after obligating the full amount of assistance requested for each project that ranked higher in priority on the panel's list.

(2) Amounts transferred on a National basis. The amount of direct loan funds transferred in a FY, among the designated States, from a program under this subpart (after accounting for any offsetting transfers into such program) shall not exceed $9 million, or an amount otherwise authorized by law.

(c) National Office concurrence. The State Director may transfer direct loan funds authorized in this section, after requesting and receiving concurrence from the National Office. If permitted by law, the National Office will concur in requests on a first-come-first-served basis.

§ 1940.963 Authority to transfer guaranteed loan amounts.

(a) Transfer of funds. If the amounts allocated to a designated State for guaranteed Water and Waste Disposal, Community Facility, or Business and Industry loans for a FY are not sufficient to provide the full amount requested for a project in accordance with this subpart, the State Director may transfer part or all of the funds allocated to the State, from one program to another, subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.

(b) Limitation on amounts transferred. The amount of guaranteed loan funds transferred from a program under this section shall not exceed the amount left unobligated after obligating the full amount of assistance requested for each project that ranked higher in priority on the panel's list.

(c) National Office concurrence. The State Director may transfer guaranteed loan funds authorized in this section, after requesting and receiving concurrence from the National Office. If permitted by law, the National Office will concur in requests on a first-come-first-served basis.

§ 1940.964 [Reserved]

§ 1940.965 Processing project preapplications/applications.

Except for the project review and ranking process established in this subpart, all requests for funds from designated rural development programs will be processed, closed, and serviced according to applicable Rural Development regulations, available in any Rural Development office.

(a) Preapplications/applications. All preapplications/applications on hand that have not been selected for further processing will be submitted initially to the panel for review and ranking. Preapplications/applications on hand that had been selected for further processing prior to the time a State was selected to participate in this program may be funded by Rural Development without review by the panel. Preapplications/applications selected for further processing by Rural Development will not exceed the State's previous year's funding level. The State Director will provide the State coordinator a list of preapplications/applications that are in process and will be considered for funding without review by the panel. This list will be provided at the same time preapplications/applications are initially submitted to the State coordinator in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.

(b) Rural Development review. Preapplications/applications will be reviewed in sufficient detail to determine eligibility and, if applicable, determine if the applicant is able to obtain credit from other sources at reasonable rates and terms. Normally, within 45 days after receiving a complete preapplication/application, Rural Development will notify the applicant of the eligibility determination. A copy of all notifications will be sent to the State coordinator.

Your application has been submitted to the State coordinator for review and ranking by the State rural economic development review panel. If you have questions regarding this review process, you should contact the State coordinator. The address and telephone number are: (insert).

You will be notified at a later date of the decision reached by the panel and whether or not you can proceed with the proposed project.

You are advised against incurring obligations which cannot be fulfilled without Rural Development funds.

These statements should be included in notifications to applicants with preapplications/applications on hand that had not been selected for further processing prior to the time a State was selected to participate in this program.

(d) Information to State coordinator. Rural Development will forward a copy of the preapplication/application and other information received from the applicant to the State coordinator according to a schedule prepared in accordance with § 1940.956(a) of this subpart. The State coordinator will be advised that no further action will be taken on preapplications/applications until they have been received and ranked by the panel, and a priority funding list has been received from the State. Applications forwarded to the State coordinator will be reviewed and ranked for funding in accordance with § 1940.956 of this subpart.

(e) The Rural Development review of priority funding list. Rural Developmentwill review the list of ranked applications received from the State coordinator and determine if projects meet the requirements of the designated rural development program under which the applicant seeks assistance. Any project that does not meet program regulations will be removed from the list. Applicants will be notified of the decision reached by the panel and whether or not the applicant should proceed with the project. Rural Development will provide a copy of all notifications to the State coordinator. The decisions of the panel are not appealable.

(f) Obligation of funds. Rural Development will provide funds for projects whose application remains on the list, subject to available funds. Consideration will be given to the order in which the applications were ranked and prioritized by the panel. If Rural Development proposes to provide assistance to any project without providing assistance to all projects ranked higher in priority by the panel than the project to be funded, 10 days prior to requesting an obligation of funds, the State Director will submit a report stating reasons for funding such lower ranked project to the following:

(1) Panel.

(2) National Office. The National Office will submit a copy of the notification to:

(i) Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

(ii) Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, Washington, DC.

§§ 1940.966-1940.967 [Reserved]

§ 1940.968 Rural Economic Development Review Panel Grant (Panel Grant).

(a) General. Panel Grants awarded will be made from amounts appropriated for grants under any provision of section 306(a) of the CONACT (7 U.S.C 1926(a)), not to exceed $100,000 annually to each eligible State. This section outlines Rural Development's policies and authorizations and sets forth procedures for making grants to designated States for administrative costs associated with a State rural economic development review panel.

(b) Objective. The objective of the Panel Grant program is to make grant funds available annually to each designated State to use for administrative costs associated with the State rural economic development review panels meeting requirements of § 1940.956 of this subpart.

(c) Authorities, delegations, and redelegations. The State Director is responsible for implementing the authorities in this section and to issue State supplements redelegating these authorities to appropriate Rural Development employees. Grant approval authorities are contained in subpart A of part 1901 of this chapter.

(d) Joint funds. Rural Development grant funds may be used jointly with funds furnished by the grantee or grants from other sources.

(e) Eligibility. A State designated by the Under Secretary to participate in this program is eligible to receive not more than $100,000 annually under this section. A State must become and remain an eligible State in order to receive funds under this section.

(f) Purpose. Panel Grant funds may be used to pay for reasonable administrative costs associated with the panel, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Travel and lodging expenses;

(2) Salaries for State coordinator and support staff;

(3) Reasonable fees and charges for professional services necessary for establishing or organizing the panel. Services must be provided by individuals licensed in accordance with appropriate State accreditation associations;

(4) Office supplies, and

(5) Other costs that may be necessary for panel operations.

(g) Limitations. Grant funds will not be used to:

(1) Pay costs incurred prior to the effective date of the grant authorized under this subpart;

(2) Recruit preapplications/applications for any designated rural development loan or grant program or any loan or grant program;

(3) Duplicate activities associated with normal execution of any panel member's occupation;

(4) Fund political activities;

(5) Pay costs associated with preparing area development plans;

(6) Pay for capital assets; purchase real estate, equipment or vehicles; rent, improve, or renovate office space; or repair and maintain State or privately owned property;

(7) Pay salaries to panel members; or

(8) Pay per diem or otherwise reimburse panel members unless distance traveled exceed 50 miles.

(h) Other considerations —

(1) Equal opportunity requirements. Grants made under this subpart are subject to title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as outlined in subpart E of part 1901 of this chapter.

(2) Environmental review requirements. Grants made under this subpart must comply with the environmental review requirements in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970.

(3) Management assistance. Grantees will be provided management assistance as necessary to assure that grant funds are used for eligible purposes for the successful operation of the panel. Grants made under this subpart will be administered under and are subject to the U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations in 2 CFR parts 416 and 417, as appropriate.

(4) Drug-free work place. The State must provide for a drug-free workplace in accordance with the requirements of RD Instruction 1940-M (available in any Rural Development office). Just prior to grant approval, the State must prepare and sign Form AD-1049, “Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (Grants) Alternative I—For Grantees Other Than Individuals.”

(i) Application processing.

(1) The State Director shall assist the State in application assembly and processing. Processing requirements should be discussed during an application conference.

(2) After the Governor has been notified that the State has been designated to participate in this program and the State has met all eligibility requirements of this subpart, the State may file an original and one copy of SF 424.1 with the State Director. The following information will be included with the application:

(i) State's financial or in-kind resources, if applicable, that will maximize the use of Panel Grant funds;

(ii) Proposed budget. The financial budget that is part of SF 424.1 may be used, if sufficient, for all panel income and expense categories;

(iii) Estimated breakdown of costs, including costs to be funded by the grantee or from other sources;

(iv) Financial management system in place or proposed. The system will account for grant funds in accordance with State laws and procedures for expending and accounting for its own funds. Fiscal control and accounting procedures of the State must be sufficient to permit preparation of reports required by Federal regulations and permit the tracing of funds to a level of expenditures adequate to establish that grant funds are used solely for authorized purposes;

(v) Method to evaluate panel activities and determine if objectives are met;

(vi) Proposed Scope-of-Work detailing activities associated with the panel and time frames for completion of each task, and

(vii) Other information that may be needed by Rural Development to make a grant award determination.

(3) The applicable provisions of § 1942.5 of subpart A of part 1942 of this chapter relating to preparation of loan dockets will be followed in preparing grant dockets. The docket will include at least the following:

(i) Form RD 400-4, “Assurance Agreement;”

(ii) Scope-of-work prepared by the applicant and approved by Rural Development;

(iii) Form RD 1940-1, “Request for Obligation of Funds,” with exhibit A, and

(iv) Certification regarding a drug-free workplace in accordance with RD Instruction 1940-M (available in any Rural Development office).

(j) Grant approval, obligation of funds, and grant closing.

(1) The State Director will review the application and other documents to determine whether the proposal complies with this subpart.

(2) Exhibit A of this subpart (available from any Rural Development State Office) shall be attached to and become a permanent part of Form RD 1940-1 and the following paragraphs will appear in the comment section of that form:

The Grantee understands the requirements for receipt of funds under the Panel Grant program. The Grantee assures and certifies that it is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, Executive Orders, and other generally applicable requirements, including those set out in 7 CFR, part 1940, subpart T, and 7 CFR, parts 3016 and 3017, including revisions through ______ (date of grant approval). The Grantee further agrees to use grant funds for the purposes outlined in the Scope-of-Work approved by Rural Development. Exhibit A is incorporated as a part hereof.

(3) Grants will be approved and obligated in accordance with the applicable parts of § 1942.5(d) of subpart A of part 1942 of this chapter.

(4) An executed copy of the Scope-of-Work will be sent to the State coordinator on the obligation date, along with a copy of Form RD 1940-1 and the required exhibit. Rural Development will retain the original of Form RD 1940-1 and the exhibit.

(5) Grants will be closed in accordance with the applicable parts of subpart A of part 1942 of this chapter, including § 1942.7. The grant is considered closed on the obligation date.

(6) A copy of Form RD 1940-1, with the required exhibit, and the Scope-of-Work will be submitted to the National Office when funds are obligated.

(7) If the grant is not approved, the State coordinator will be notified in writing of the reason(s) for rejection. The notification will state that a review of the decision by Rural Development may be requested by the State under subpart B of part 1900 of this chapter.

(k) Fund disbursement. Grant funds will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis. Requests for funds should not exceed one advance every 30 days. The financial management system of the State shall provide for effective control and accountability of all funds, property, and assets.

(1) SF 270, “Request for Advance or Reimbursement,” will be completed by the State coordinator and submitted to the State Director not more frequently than monthly.

(2) Upon receipt of a properly completed SF 270, the State Director will request funds through the Automated Discrepancy Processing System. Ordinarily, payment will be made within 30 days after receipt of a properly prepared request for reimbursement.

(3) States are encouraged to use minority banks (a bank which is owned by at least 50 percent minority group members) for the deposit and disbursement of funds. A list of minority owned banks can be obtained from the Office of Minority Business Enterprises, Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.

(l) Title. Title to supplies acquired under this grant will vest, upon acquisition, in the State. If there is a residual inventory of unused supplies exceeding $5,000 in total aggregate fair market value upon termination or completion of the grant awarded, and if the supplies are not needed for any other federally sponsored programs, the State shall compensate Rural Development for its share.

(m) Costs. Costs incurred under this grant program are subject to cost principles established in 2 CFR part 200, subpart E.

(n) Budget changes. Rebudgeting within the approval direct cost categories to meet unanticipated requirements which do not exceed 10 percent of the current total approved budget shall be permitted. The State shall obtain prior approval from the State Director for any revisions which result in the need for additional funding.

(o) Programmatic changes. The State shall obtain prior written approval from the State Director for any change to the scope or objectives for which the grant was approved or for contracting out or otherwise obtaining services of a third party to perform activities which are central to the purposes of the grant. Failure to obtain prior approval of changes to the scope can result in suspension or termination of grant funds.

(p) Financial reporting. SF 269, “Financial Status Report,” and a Project Performance Report are required on a quarterly basis. The reports will be submitted to the State Director not later than 30 days after the end of each quarter. A final SF 269 and Project Performance Report shall be due 90 days after the expiration or termination of grant support. The final report may serve as the last quarterly report. The State coordinator will constantly monitor performance to ensure that time schedules are met, projected work by time periods is accomplished, and other performance objectives are achieved. Program outlays and income will be reported on an accrual basis. Project Performance Reports shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives established for that period;

(2) Reasons why established objectives were not met;

(3) Problems, delays, or adverse conditions which will affect the ability to meet the objectives of the grant during established time periods. This disclosure must include a statement of the action taken or planned to resolve the situation; and

(4) Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting period.

(q) Audit requirements. Audit reports will be prepared and submitted in accordance with § 1942.17(q)(4) of subpart A of part 1942 of this chapter. The audit requirements only apply to the year(s) in which grant funds are received. Audits must be prepared in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards using publication, “Standards for Audits of Governmental Organizations, Programs, Activities and Functions.”

(r) Grant cancellation. Grants which have been approved and funds obligated may be cancelled by the grant approval official in accordance with § 1942.12 of subpart A of part 1942 of this chapter. The State Director will notify the State coordinator that the grant has been cancelled.

(s) Grant servicing. Grants will be serviced in accordance with subparts E and O of part 1951 of this chapter.

(t) Subsequent grants. Subsequent grants will be processed in accordance with the requirements of this subpart for each additional time period a State is designated to participate in this program.

[57 FR 11559, Apr. 6, 1992, as amended at 81 FR 11030, Mar. 2, 2016; 85 FR 31938, May 28, 2020]

§ 1940.969 Forms, exhibits, and subparts.

Forms, exhibits, and subparts of this chapter (all available in any Rural Development office) referenced in this subpart, are for use in establishing a State economic development review panel and for administering the Panel Grant program associated with the panel.

§ 1940.970 [Reserved]

§ 1940.971 Delegation of authority.

The authority authorized to the State Director in this subpart may be redelegated.

§§ 1940.972-1940.999 [Reserved]

§ 1940.1000 OMB control number.

The collection of information requirements contained in this regulation has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget and assigned OMB control number 0575-0145. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to vary from 30 minutes to 48 hours per response with an average of 4 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Department of Agriculture, Clearance Officer, OIRM, Room 404-W, Washington, DC 20250; and to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503.

PART 1940 - GENERAL

Authority:

Editorial Note

Editorial Note:

Subparts A-K [Reserved]

Subpart L - Methodology and Formulas for Allocation of Loan and Grant Program Funds

Source:

§ 1940.551 Purpose and general policy.

§ 1940.552 Definitions.

§§ 1940.553-1940.559 [Reserved]

§ 1940.560 Guarantee Rural Rental Housing Program.

§§ 1940.561-1940.562 [Reserved]

§ 1940.563 Section 502 non-subsidized guaranteed Rural Housing (RH) loans.

§ 1940.564 Section 502 subsidized guaranteed Rural Housing loans.

§ 1940.565 Section 502 subsidized Rural Housing loans.

§ 1940.566 Section 504 Housing Repair loans.

§ 1940.567 Section 504 Housing Repair grants.

§ 1940.568 Single Family Housing programs appropriations not allocated by State.

§§ 1940.569-1940.574 [Reserved]

§ 1940.575 Section 515 Rural Rental Housing (RRH) loans.

§ 1940.576 Rental Assistance (RA) for new construction.

§ 1940.577 Rental Assistance (RA) for existing projects.

§ 1940.578 Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program.

§ 1940.579 Multiple Family Housing appropriations not allocated by State.

§§ 1940.580-1940.584 [Reserved]

§ 1940.585 Community Facility loans.

§§ 1940.586-1940.587 [Reserved]

§ 1940.588 Business and Industry Guaranteed and Direct Loans, Rural Business Development Grants, and Intermediary Relending Program.

Editorial Note

Editorial Note:

§ 1940.589 Rural Energy for America Program.

§ 1940.590 [Reserved]

§ 1940.591 Community Program Guaranteed loans.

§ 1940.592 Community facilities grants.

§ 1940.593 Other Rural Business-Cooperative Service programs.

§§ 1940.594-1940.600 [Reserved]

Exhibit A to Subpart L of Part 1940 [Reserved]

Exhibit B to Subpart L of Part 1940—Section 515 Nonprofit Set Aside (NPSA)

Exhibit C to Subpart L of Part 1940—Housing in Underserved Areas

Subparts M-S [Reserved]

Subpart T - System for Delivery of Certain Rural Development Programs

Source:

§ 1940.951 General.

§ 1940.952 [Reserved]

§ 1940.953 Definitions.

§ 1940.954 State participation.

§ 1940.955 Distribution of program funds to designated States.

§ 1940.956 State rural economic development review panel.

§ 1940.957 State coordinator.

§ 1940.958 Designated agency.

§ 1940.959 Area plan.

§ 1940.960 Federal employee panel members.

§ 1940.961 Allocation of appropriated funds.

§ 1940.962 Authority to transfer direct loan amounts.

§ 1940.963 Authority to transfer guaranteed loan amounts.

§ 1940.964 [Reserved]

§ 1940.965 Processing project preapplications/applications.

§§ 1940.966-1940.967 [Reserved]

§ 1940.968 Rural Economic Development Review Panel Grant (Panel Grant).

§ 1940.969 Forms, exhibits, and subparts.

§ 1940.970 [Reserved]

§ 1940.971 Delegation of authority.

§§ 1940.972-1940.999 [Reserved]

§ 1940.1000 OMB control number.