(a) Nomination criteria. One or more local governments and the States in which an area is located must nominate such area for designation as an Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community. Nominated areas can be considered for designation only if:

(1) The rural area meets the applicable requirements for eligibility identified in § 25.100;

(2) The Secretary determines such governments have the authority to nominate the area for designation and to provide the assurances described in paragraph (b) of this section; and

(3) The Secretary determines all information furnished by the nominating States and local governments is reasonably accurate.

(b) Required certifications and assurances. The State and local governments nominating an area for designation must:

(1) Submit the following certifications:

(i) Each nominating governmental entity has the authority to:

(A) Nominate the rural area for designation as an Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community and make the assurances required under this part;

(B) Make the State and local commitments contained in the strategic plan or otherwise required under this part; and

(C) Provide written assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that these commitments will be met; and

(ii) The nominated area satisfies the eligibility criteria referenced in § 25.100, inclusive of the requirement that either;

(A) No portion of the area nominated is already included in a designated Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community or in an area otherwise nominated to be designated under this section; or

(B) Where an existing Round I Enterprise Community is seeking to be designated as a Round II Empowerment Zone, that the nominated area includes the entirety of the applicable Round I Enterprise Community and that any other areas as may be included in the application do not comprise any portion of a designated Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community or part of an area otherwise nominated to be designated under this section; and

(2) Provide written assurance that:

(i) The strategic plan will be implemented;

(ii) The nominating governments will make available, or cause to be made available, all information requested by USDA to aid in the evaluation of progress in implementing the strategic plan; and

(iii) EZ/EC SSBG funds, as applicable, will be used to supplement, not supplant, other Federal or non-Federal funds available for financing services or activities which promote the purposes of section 2007 of the Social Security Act.

No rural area may be considered for designation pursuant to this part unless the application:

(a) Demonstrates that the nominated rural area satisfies the eligibility criteria contained in § 25.100;

(b) Includes a strategic plan, which meets the requirements contained in § 25.202;

(c) Includes the written commitment of the applicant, as applicable, that EZ/EC SSBG funds will be used to supplement, not replace, other Federal and non-Federal funds available for financing services or activities that promote the purposes of section 2007 of the Social Security Act; and

(d) Includes such other information as may be required by USDA.

(a) Principles of strategic plan. The strategic plan included in the application must be developed in accordance with the following four key principles:

(1) Strategic vision for change, which identifies what the community will become and a strategic map for revitalization. The vision should build on assets and coordinate a response to community needs in a comprehensive fashion. It should also set goals and performance benchmarks for measuring progress and establish a framework for evaluating and adjusting the revitalization plan.

(2) Community-based partnerships, involving the participation of all segments of the community, including the political and governmental leadership, community groups, local public health and social service departments and nonprofit groups providing similar services, environmental groups, local transportation planning entities, public and private schools, religious organizations, the private and nonprofit sectors, centers of learning, and other community institutions and individual citizens.

(3) Economic opportunity, including job creation within the community and throughout the region, entrepreneurial initiatives, small business expansion, job training and other important services such as affordable childcare and transportation services that may enable residents to be employed in jobs that offer upward mobility.

(4) Sustainable community development, to advance the creation of livable and vibrant communities through comprehensive approaches that coordinate economic, physical, environmental, community, and human development. These approaches should preserve the environment and historic landmarks—they may include “brownfields” clean-up and redevelopment, and promote transportation, education, and public safety.

(b) Minimum requirements. The strategic plan must:

(1) Describe the coordinated economic, human, community, and physical development plan and related activities proposed for the nominated area;

(2) Describe the process by which the affected community is a full partner in the process of developing and implementing the plan and the extent to which local institutions and organizations have contributed to the planning process;

(3) Identify the amount of State, local, and private resources that will be available in the nominated area and the private and public partnerships to be used, which may include participation by, and cooperation with, universities, medical centers, and other private and public entities;

(4) Identify the funding requested under any Federal program in support of the proposed economic, human, community, and physical development and related activities, including details about proposed uses of EZ/EC SSBG funds that may be available from HHS;

(5) Identify the baselines, methods, and benchmarks for measuring the success of carrying out the strategic plan, including the extent to which poor persons and families will be empowered to become economically self-sufficient;

(6) Must not include any action to assist any establishment in relocating from one area outside the nominated area to the nominated area, except that assistance for the expansion of an existing business entity through the establishment of a new branch, affiliate, or subsidiary is permitted if:

(i) The establishment of the new branch, affiliate, or subsidiary will not result in a decrease in employment in the area of original location or in any other area where the existing business entity conducts business operations; and

(ii) There is no reason to believe that the new branch, affiliate, or subsidiary is being established with the intention of closing down the operations of the existing business entity in the area of its original location or in any other area where the existing business entity conducts business operation; and

(7) Include such other information as required by USDA in the notice inviting applications or other applicable notice.

(c) Implementation of strategic plan. The strategic plan may be implemented by State governments, tribal governments, local governments, regional planning agencies, non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, or other nongovernmental entities. Activities included in the strategic plan may be funded from any source, Federal, State, local, or private, which agrees to provide assistance to the nominated area.

(d) Public access to materials and proceedings. The applicant or the lead managing entity, as applicable, must make available to the public copies of the strategic plan and supporting documentation and must conduct its meetings in accordance with the applicable open meetings acts.

General. A separate application for designation as an empowerment zone or enterprise community must be submitted for each rural area for which such designation is requested. The application shall be submitted in a form to be prescribed by USDA in the notice inviting applications or other applicable notice as published in the Federal Register and must contain complete and accurate information.

The strategic plan will be evaluated for effectiveness as part of the designation process for nominated rural areas described in subpart D of this part. On the basis of this evaluation, USDA may request additional information pertaining to the plan and the proposed area and may, as part of that request, suggest modifications to the plan, proposed area, or term that would enhance its effectiveness. The effectiveness of the strategic plan will be determined in accordance with the four key principles contained in § 25.202(a). USDA will review each plan submitted in terms of the four equally weighted principal objectives, and of such other elements of these principal objectives as are appropriate to address the opportunities and problems of each nominated area, which may include:

(a) Strategic vision for change—(1) Goals and coordinated strategy. The extent to which the strategic plan reflects a projection for the community's revitalization which links economic, human, physical, community development and other activities in a mutually reinforcing, synergistic way to achieve ultimate goals;

(2) Creativity and innovation. The extent to which the activities proposed in the plan are creative, innovative and promising and will promote the civic spirit necessary to revitalize the nominated area;

(3) Building on assets. The extent to which the vision for revitalization realistically addresses the needs of the nominated area in a way that takes advantage of its assets; and

(4) Benchmarks and learning. The extent to which the plan includes performance benchmarks for measuring progress in its implementation, including an on-going process for adjustments, corrections and building on what works.

(b) Community-based partnerships—(1) Community partners. The extent to which residents of the community participated in developing the strategic plan and their commitment to implementing it, the extent to which community-based organizations in the nominated area have participated in the development of the nominated area, and their record of success measured by their achievements and support for undertakings within the nominated area;

(2) Private and nonprofit organizations as partners. The extent to which partnership arrangements include commitments from private and nonprofit organizations, including corporations, utilities, banks and other financial institutions, human services organizations, health care providers, and educational institutions supporting implementation of the strategic plan;

(3) State and local government partners. The extent to which States and local governments are committed to providing support to the strategic plan, including their commitment to “reinventing” their roles and coordinating programs to implement the strategic plan; and

(4) Permanent implementation and evaluation structure. The extent to which a responsible and accountable implementation structure or process has been created to ensure that the plan is successfully carried out and that improvements are made throughout the period of the zone or community's designation.

(c) Economic opportunity. (1) The extent to which businesses, jobs, and entrepreneurship will increase within the zone or community;

(2) The extent to which residents will achieve a real economic stake in the zone or community;

(3) The extent to which residents will be employed in the process of implementing the plan and in all phases of economic, community and human development;

(4) The extent to which residents will be linked with employers and jobs throughout the entire area and the way in which residents will receive training, assistance, and family support to become economically self-sufficient;

(5) The extent to which economic revitalization in the zone or community interrelates with the broader regional economies; and

(6) The extent to which lending and investment opportunities will increase within the zone or community through the establishment of mechanisms to encourage community investment and to create new economic growth.

(d) Sustainable community development—(1) Consolidated planning. The extent to which the plan is part of a larger strategic community development plan for the nominating localities and is consistent with broader regional development strategies;

(2) Public safety. The extent to which strategies such as community policing will be used to guarantee the basic safety and security of persons and property within the zone or community;

(3) Amenities and design. The extent to which the plan considers issues of design and amenities that will foster a sustainable community, such as open spaces, recreational areas, cultural institutions, transportation, energy, land and water uses, waste management, environmental protection and the vitality of life of the community;

(4) Sustainable development. The extent to which economic development will be achieved in a manner consistent that protects public health and the environment;

(5) Supporting families. The extent to which the strengths of families will be supported so that parents can succeed at work, provide nurture in the home, and contribute to the life of the community;

(6) Youth development. The extent to which the development of children, youth, and young adults into economically productive and socially responsible adults will be promoted and the extent to which young people will be:

(i) Provided with the opportunity to take responsibility for learning the skills, discipline, attitude, and initiative to make work rewarding;

(ii) Invited to take part as resources in the rebuilding of their community; and

(iii) Provided the opportunity to develop a sense of industry and competency and a belief they might exercise some control over the course of their lives.

(7) Education goals. The extent to which schools, religious organizations, non-profit organizations, for-profit enterprises, local governments and families will work cooperatively to provide all individuals with the fundamental skills and knowledge they need to become active participants and contributors to their community, and to succeed in an increasingly competitive global economy;

(8) Affordable housing. The extent to which a housing component, providing for adequate safe housing and ensuring that all residents will have equal access to that housing is contained in the strategic plan;

(9) Drug abuse. The extent to which the plan addresses levels of drug abuse and drug-related activity through the expansion of drug treatment services, drug law enforcement initiatives, and community-based drug abuse education programs;

(10) Health care. The extent to which the plan promotes a community-based system of health care that facilitates access to comprehensive, high quality care, particularly for the residents of EZ/EC neighborhoods;

(11) Equal opportunity. The extent to which the plan offers an opportunity for diverse residents to participate in the rewards and responsibilities of work and service. The extent to which the plan ensures that no business within a nominated zone or community will directly or through contractual or other arrangements subject a person to discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, gender, handicap or age in its employment practices, including recruitment, recruitment advertising, employment, layoff, termination, upgrading, demotion, transfer, rates of pay or the forms of compensation, or use of facilities. Applicants must comply with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975.