Sec. 302. Business centers
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/bill/117/hr/2689/ih/section-302·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Assistant Secretary may establish MBDA Rural Business Centers. With respect to an MBDA Rural Business Center established by the Assistant Secretary, the Assistant Secretary shall establish the MBDA Rural Business Center in partnership with an eligible entity in accordance with paragraph (2). With respect to each MBDA Rural Business Center established by the Assistant Secretary, the Assistant Secretary shall enter into a cooperative agreement with an eligible entity that provides that— the eligible entity shall provide space, facilities, and staffing for the MBDA Rural Business Center; the Assistant Secretary shall provide funding for, and oversight with respect to, the MBDA Rural Business Center; and subject to subparagraph (B), the eligible entity shall match 20 percent of the amount of the funding provided by the Assistant Secretary under clause (ii), which may be calculated to include the costs of providing the space, facilities, and staffing under clause (i).
Based on the available resources of an eligible entity, the Assistant Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement with the eligible entity that provides that— the eligible entity shall match less than 20 percent of the amount of the funding provided by the Assistant Secretary under subparagraph (A)(ii); or if the Assistant Secretary makes a determination, upon a demonstration by the eligible entity of substantial need, the eligible entity shall not be required to provide any match with respect to the funding provided by the Assistant Secretary under subparagraph (A)(ii).
An eligible entity may provide matching funds required under an MBDA Rural Business Center agreement with Federal funds received from other Federal programs. The initial term of an MBDA Rural Business Center agreement shall be 3 years. The Assistant Secretary and an eligible entity may agree to extend the term of an MBDA Rural Business Center agreement with respect to an MBDA Rural Business Center. An MBDA Rural Business Center shall— primarily serve clients that are— rural minority business enterprises; or minority business enterprises that are located more than 50 miles from an MBDA Business Center (other than that MBDA Rural Business Center); focus on— issues relating to— the adoption of broadband internet access service (as defined in section 8.1(b) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation), digital literacy skills, and e-commerce by rural minority business enterprises; advanced manufacturing; the promotion of manufacturing in the United States; ways in which rural minority business enterprises can meet gaps in the supply chain of critical supplies and essential goods and services for the United States; improving the connectivity of rural minority business enterprises through transportation and logistics; promoting trade and export opportunities by rural minority business enterprises; securing financial capital; facilitating entrepreneurship in rural areas; and creating jobs in rural areas; and any other issue relating to the unique challenges faced by rural minority business enterprises; and provide education, training, and legal, financial, and technical assistance to minority business enterprises.
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary shall issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity requesting applications from eligible entities that desire to enter into MBDA Rural Business Center agreements. In selecting an eligible entity with which to enter into an MBDA Rural Business Center agreement, the Assistant Secretary shall— select an eligible entity that demonstrates— the ability to collaborate with governmental and private sector entities to leverage capabilities of minority business enterprises through public-private partnerships; the research and extension capacity to support minority business enterprises; knowledge of the community that the eligible entity serves and the ability to conduct effective outreach to that community to advance the goals of an MBDA Rural Business Center; the ability to provide innovative business solutions, including access to contracting opportunities, markets, and capital; the ability to provide services that advance the development of science, technology, engineering, and math jobs within minority business enterprises; the ability to leverage resources from within the eligible entity to advance an MBDA Rural Business Center; that the mission of the eligible entity aligns with the mission of the Agency; the ability to leverage relationships with rural minority business enterprises; and a referral relationship with not less than 1 community-based organization; and give priority to an eligible entity located in a State or region that lacks an MBDA Business Center, as of the date of enactment of this Act.