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Statement of Need: There is no existing program regulation. USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) is promulgating regulations to implement section 6023. The regulation will provide assistance, which includes grants to nonprofit organizations or consortium of nonprofit organization that have a significant focus on serving the needs of individuals with disabilities. Assistance will be awarded on a competitive basis. Regulatory implementation may include certain existing requirements identified in 7 CFR for civil rights requirements, grant servicing requirements, and so forth.

Summary of the Legal Basis: The Expansion of Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities in Rural Areas is authorized by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. The purpose of the section is to provide grants to nonprofit organizations to expand and enhance employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in rural areas.

Alternatives: There are no alternatives to issuing a proposed regulation in order to allow the public opportunity to provide comments on the program requirements.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: The only costs, aside from contractor costs, are internal costs associated with the promulgation of the proposed rule. The Agency is confident that the regulation will contain sufficient safeguards to mitigate any risk associated with a proposed rule and would be a benefit to the Agency as well as organizations who utilize the program.

Risks: None noted.