Under Executive Order 12372

AGENCY:

U.S. Small Business Administration.

ACTION:

Notice of action subject to intergovernmental review under Executive Order 12372.

SUMMARY:

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is notifying the public that it intends to grant the pending applications of 22 existing Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) for refunding on October 1, 2000, subject to the availability of funds. Four states do not participate in the EO 12372 process; therefore, their addresses are not included. A short description of the SBDC program follows in the supplementary information below.

The SBA is publishing this notice at least 120 days before the expected refunding date. The SBDCs and their mailing addresses are listed below in the address section. A copy of this notice also is being furnished to the respective State single points of contact designated under the Executive Order. Each SBDC application must be consistent with any area-wide small business assistance plan adopted by a State-authorized agency.

DATES:

A State single point of contact and other interested State or local entities may submit written comments regarding an SBDC refunding within 30 days from the date of publication of this notice to the SBDC.

ADDRESSES:

Addresses of Relevant SBDC State Directors

Mr. Robert McKinley, Region Director, Univ. of Texas at San Antonio, 1222 North Main Street, San Antonio, TX 78212; (210) 458-2450

Dr. Hazel Palmer, State Director, West Virginia Development Office, 950 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, WV 25301; (304) 558-2960

Mr. Dennis Gruell, State Director, University of Connecticut, 2 Bourn Place, U-94, Storrs, CT 06269-5094; (860) 486-4135

Mr. Clinton Tymes, State Director, University of Delaware, Suite 005, Purnell Hall, Newark, DE 19711; (302) 831-2747

Mr. Michael Young, Region Director, University of Houston, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77002; (713) 752-8425

Ms. Becky Naugle, State Director, University of Kentucky, 225 Gatton College of Business Economics, Lexington, KY 40506-0034; (606) 257-7668

Ms. Liz Klimback, Region Director, Dallas Community College, 1402 Corinth Street, Dallas, TX 75212; (214) 860-5835

Ms. Rene Sprow, State Director, Univ. of Maryland @ College Park, 7100 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 401, Baltimore, MD 20742; (301) 403-8163

Mr. Craig Bean, Region Director, Texas Tech University, 2579 South Loop 289, Suite 114, Lubbock, TX 79423-1637; (806) 745-3973

Ms. Diane Wolverton, State Director, University of Wyoming, P.O. Box 3922, Laramie, WY 82071, (307) 766-3505

Mr. Max Summers, State Director, University of Missouri, Suite 300, University Place, Columbia, MO 65211; (573) 882-0344

Mr. Ronald Manning, State Director, Iowa State University, 137 Lynn Avenue, Ames, IA 50010; (515) 292-6351

Mr. James L. King, State Director, State University of New York, SUNY Plaza, S-523, Albany, NY 12246; (518) 443-5398

Ms. Holly Schick, State Director, Ohio Department of Development, 77 South High Street, Columbus, OH 43226-1001; (614) 466-2711

Mr. Donald L. Kelpinski, State Director, Vermont Technical College, P.O. Box 422, Randolph Center, VT 05060; (802) 728-9101

Mr. Ian Hodge, SBDC Director, University of the Virgin Islands, 8000 Nisky Center, Suite 202, St. Thomas, US VI 00802; (340) 776-3206

Ms. Carmen Marti, SBDC Director, Inter American University, Ponce de Leon Avenue, #416, Edificio Union Plaza, Suite 7-A, Hato Rey, PR 00918; (787) 763-6811

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Johnnie L. Albertson, Associate Administrator for SBDCs, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street, SW, Suite 4600, Washington, DC 20416.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description of the SBDC Program

A partnership exists between SBA and an SBDC. SBDCs offer training, counseling and other business development assistance to small businesses. Each SBDC provides services under a negotiated Cooperative Agreement with SBA, the general management and oversight of SBA, and a state plan initially approved by the Governor. Non-Federal funds must match Federal funds. An SBDC must operate according to law, the Cooperative Agreement, SBA's regulations, the annual Program Announcement, and program guidance.

Program Objectives

The SBDC program uses Federal funds to leverage the resources of states, academic institutions and the private sector to:

(a) Strengthen the small business community;

(b) Increase economic growth;

(c) Assist more small businesses; and

(d) Broaden the delivery system to more small businesses.

SBDC Program Organization

The lead SBDC operates a statewide or regional network of SBDC subcenters. An SBDC must have a full-time Director. SBDCs must use at least 80 percent of the Federal funds to provide services to small businesses. SBDCs use volunteers and other low cost resources as much as possible.

SBDC Services

An SBDC must have a full range of business development and technical assistance services in its area of operations, depending upon local needs, SBA priorities and SBDC program objectives. Services include training and counseling to existing and prospective small business owners in management, marketing, finance, operations, planning, taxes, and any other general or technical area of assistance that supports small business growth.

The SBA district office and the SBDC must agree upon the specific mix of services. They should give particular attention to SBA's priority and special emphasis groups, including veterans, women, exporters, the disabled, and minorities.

SBDC Program Requirements

An SBDC must meet programmatic and financial requirements imposed by statute, regulations or its Cooperative Agreement. The SBDC must:

(a) Locate subcenters so that they are as accessible as possible to small businesses;

(b) Open all subcenters at least 40 hours per week, or during the normal business hours of its state or academic Host Organization, throughout the year;

(c) Develop working relationships with financial institutions, the investment community, professional associations, private consultants and small business groups; and

(d) Maintain lists of private consultants at each subcenter.