15 CFR 1400 - DETERMINATION OF GROUP ELIGIBILITY FOR MBDA ASSISTANCE

The Minority Business Development Administration publishes this notice to extend the date on which it plans to make its decision on a petition from the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee requesting formal designation from July 30, 2012 to August 30, 2012.

On May 30, 2012, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) published a notice of proposed rulemaking and request for comments regarding a petition received on January 11, 2012 from the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) requesting formal designation of Arab-Americans as a minority group that is socially or economically disadvantaged pursuant to 15 CFR part 1400. The Notice includes a thirty-day comment deadline of June 29, 2012, but also states that MBDA will make a decision on the petition no later than June 27, 2012. Due to the complexity of the subject matter, the Department finds that it is not practicable to complete an in depth review of the issues involved in the petition, give adequate consideration to all comments, and make a reasoned determination on the petition by June 27, 2012. Therefore, the Department has determined that it is necessary to extend the time in which it will make its decision on the petition until July 30, 2012. This extension will not prejudice the petitioner. The deadline for the comments on the petition remains unchanged, and continues to be June 29, 2012.

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) publishes this notice regarding the petition received on January 11, 2012 from the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) requesting formal designation of Arab-Americans as a minority group that is socially or economically disadvantaged pursuant to 15 CFR art 1400. The formal designation of the Arab-American community as a group that is socially or economically disadvantaged would allow the members of this community to receive assistance from MBDA funded programs, such as the MBDA Business Center program. The ADC filed a petition, pursuant to 15 CFR part 1400.3, including information specifically related to social and economic discrimination against Arab-Americans. This Notice provides public notice that the United States Department of Commerce (Department) will consider the petition and requests public comment on the propriety of this designation. MBDA will make a decision on the application no later than June 27, 2012.