Revision to Implement Economic Development Reform Act of 1998 Grant Rate Eligibility: Disaster Assistance Based on High Unemployment

The purpose of this interim-final rule is to further amend regulations of the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to implement the amendment to and replacement of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended, by the Economic Development Reform Act of 1998 (PWEDA). This rule amends disaster grant rate eligibility requirements to correct currently listed grant rates and to add a new category of disaster grant rate eligibility. These changes are intended to more closely track the statutory language in PWEDA concerning supplemental appropriations, and to continue EDA's mission in providing disaster assistance under its regular program authorities. Changes are also being made so that grant rate eligibility for high unemployment is based on a stated percentage of the unemployment rate, similar to the grant rate eligibility based upon per capita income.