[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6920-6921]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02484]
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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under OMB Review
AGENCY: Small Business Administration.
ACTION: 30-Day notice.
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SUMMARY: The Small Business Administration (SBA) is publishing this
notice to comply with requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
(44 U.S.C. chapter 35), which requires agencies to submit proposed
reporting and recordkeeping requirements to OMB for review and
approval, and to publish a notice in the Federal Register notifying the
public that the agency has made such a submission. This notice also
allows an additional 30 days for public comments.
DATES: Submit comments on or before March 10, 2016
ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to the information collection by name
and/or OMB Control Number and should be sent to: Agency Clearance
Officer, Curtis Rich, Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street
SW., 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20416; and SBA Desk Officer, Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget,
New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Curtis Rich, Agency Clearance Officer,
(202) 205-7030 [email protected].
Copies: A copy of the Form OMB 83-1, supporting statement, and
other documents submitted to OMB for review may be obtained from the
Agency Clearance Officer.
[[Page 6921]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In October 2014, a new cohort of sites was
added to the Regional Innovation Clusters (RIC) initiative, which was
originally started in October 1, 2010 by the Small Business
Administration (SBA)'s Office of Entrepreneurial Development. Through
this initiative, organizations in 11 communities across the U.S. have
been selected to provide industry-specific assistance to small
businesses, and to develop industry relationships and supply chains
within their regions. Clusters--geographically concentrated groups of
interconnected businesses, suppliers, service providers, and associated
institutions in a particular industry or field--act as a networking hub
to convene a number of resources to help navigate the funding,
procurement, and supply-chain opportunities in a specific industry.
SBA is conducting an evaluation of the Regional Innovation Clusters
initiative to determine how the clusters have developed, the type and
volume of services they provided to small businesses, client
perceptions of the program, and the various outcomes related to their
existence, including collaboration among firms, innovation, and small
business growth. Small business growth will be compared to the overall
growth of firms in those same regions and industries. This evaluation
will also include lessons learned and success stories. SBA proposes the
use of three instruments for data collection and analysis of three
distinct populations. These instruments are: (1). Small Business
Survey, (2.) Large Organization Survey and (3.) Cluster Administrator
Survey. In addition, SBA plans to interview each of the 11 cluster
administrators several times a year regarding program impact and
successes or challenges, and to obtain clarifications on information
provided in quarterly reports. Each of the proposed surveys will be
administered electronically and will contain both open- and close-ended
questions. The information collected and analyzed from these
instruments will contribute to monitoring performance metrics and
program goals, as well as recommendations on improving program
practices.
Solicitation of Public Comments:
Title: Regional Innovation Clusters (RIC) Initiative Evaluation
Study.
Description of Respondents: Interconnected businesses, Suppliers,
Service providers, and associated institutions.
Form Number: N/A.
Estimated Annual Responses: 1,240.
Estimated Annual Hour Burden: 388.
Curtis B. Rich,
Management Analyst.
[FR Doc. 2016-02484 Filed 2-8-16; 8:45 am]
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