TITLE 42 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER V - ADMINISTRATION

42 USC 3191 - Assistant Secretary for Economic Development

(a) In general
The Secretary shall carry out this chapter through an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(b) Compensation
The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development shall be compensated at the rate payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5.

(c) Duties
The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development shall carry out such duties as the Secretary shall require and shall serve as the administrator of the Economic Development Administration of the Department.

42 USC 3192 - Economic development information clearinghouse

In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary shall

(1) maintain a central information clearinghouse on the Internet with

(A) information on economic development, economic adjustment, disaster recovery, defense conversion, and trade adjustment programs and activities of the Federal Government;

(B) links to State economic development organizations; and

(2) assist potential and actual applicants for economic development, economic adjustment, disaster recovery, defense conversion, and trade adjustment assistance under Federal and State laws in locating and applying for the assistance;

(3) assist areas described in section 3161 (a) of this title and other areas by providing to interested persons, communities, industries, and businesses in the areas any technical information, market research, or other forms of assistance, information, or advice that would be useful in alleviating or preventing conditions of excessive unemployment or underemployment in the areas; and

(4) obtain appropriate information from other Federal agencies needed to carry out the duties under this chapter.

42 USC 3193 - Consultation with other persons and agencies

(a) Consultation on problems relating to employment
The Secretary may consult with any persons, including representatives of labor, management, agriculture, and government, who can assist in addressing the problems of area and regional unemployment or underemployment.

(b) Consultation on administration of chapter
The Secretary may provide for such consultation with interested Federal agencies as the Secretary determines to be appropriate in the performance of the duties of the Secretary under this chapter.

42 USC 3194 - Administration, operation, and maintenance

The Secretary shall approve Federal assistance under this chapter only if the Secretary is satisfied that the project for which Federal assistance is granted will be properly and efficiently administered, operated, and maintained.

42 USC 3195 - Repealed. Pub. L. 108373, title V, 502(a), Oct. 27, 2004, 118 Stat. 1768

Section, Pub. L. 89–136, title V, § 505, as added Pub. L. 105–393, title I, § 102(a), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3610, related to businesses desiring Federal contracts.

42 USC 3196 - Performance evaluations of grant recipients

(a) In general
The Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of each university center and each economic development district that receives grant assistance under this chapter (each referred to in this section as a grantee) to assess the grantees performance and contribution toward retention and creation of employment.

(b) Purpose of evaluations of university centers
The purpose of the evaluations of university centers under subsection (a) of this section shall be to determine which university centers are performing well and are worthy of continued grant assistance under this chapter, and which should not receive continued assistance, so that university centers that have not previously received assistance may receive assistance.

(c) Timing of evaluations
Evaluations under subsection (a) of this section shall be conducted on a continuing basis so that each grantee is evaluated within 3 years after the first award of assistance to the grantee, and at least once every 3 years thereafter, so long as the grantee receives the assistance.

(d) Evaluation criteria

(1) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish criteria for use in conducting evaluations under subsection (a) of this section.

(2) Evaluation criteria for university centers
The criteria for evaluation of a university center shall, at a minimum, provide for an assessment of the centers contribution to providing technical assistance, conducting applied research, program performance, and disseminating results of the activities of the center.

(3) Evaluation criteria for economic development districts
The criteria for evaluation of an economic development district shall, at a minimum, provide for an assessment of management standards, financial accountability, and program performance.

(e) Peer review
In conducting an evaluation of a university center or economic development district under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall provide for the participation of at least 1 other university center or economic development district, as appropriate, on a cost-reimbursement basis.

42 USC 3197 - Notification of reorganization

Not later than 30 days before the date of any reorganization of the offices, programs, or activities of the Economic Development Administration, the Secretary shall provide notification of the reorganization to the Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.