Revisions to the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program Regulations and Implementation Regulations for the Community Trade Adjustment Assistance Program

On May 5, 2009, the Economic Development Administration (`EDA') published a notice of proposed rulemaking to reflect the amendments made to the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, by the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act of 2009 (`TGAAA'), which was included as subtitle I within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The notice of proposed rulemaking provided a public comment period from May 5, 2009 through June 4, 2009. The TGAAA provides that the Secretary of Commerce must establish the Community Trade Adjustment Assistance Program by August 1, 2009, under which EDA would provide technical assistance under section 274 of the Trade Act to communities impacted by trade to facilitate the economic adjustment of those communities. The TGAAA amendments to the Trade Act took effect on May 17, 2009, 90 days after enactment. As a result of the enactment of the TGAAA, EDA promulgates this final rule to provide regulations to implement the Community Trade Adjustment Assistance Program and makes specific changes to the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program regulations.