13 C.F.R. PART 314—PROPERTY
Title 13 - Business Credit and Assistance
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3211; Department of Commerce Organization Order 10–4.
Source: 70 FR 47019, Aug. 11, 2005, unless otherwise noted.
In addition to the defined terms set forth in §300.3 of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings: Adequate Consideration means the fair market value at the time of sale or lease of any Property, as adjusted, in EDA's sole discretion, by any services, property exchanges, contractual commitments, acts of forbearance or other considerations that are in furtherance of the authorized purposes of the Investment Assistance, which are received by the Recipient or Owner in exchange for such Property. Disposition or Dispose means the sale, lease, abandonment or other disposition of any Property and also includes the Unauthorized Use of such Property. Encumbrance or Encumber have the meaning ascribed to them in §314.6. Estimated Useful Life means the period of years, as determined by EDA, that constitutes the expected useful lifespan of a Project. Federal Interest has the definition ascribed to it in §314.2(a). Federal Share has the definition ascribed to it in §314.5. Owner means a fee owner, transferee, lessee or optionee of any Property. The term Owner also includes the holder of other interests in a Property where the interests are such that the holder effectively controls the use of such Property. Personal Property means all tangible and intangible property other than Real Property. Property means Real Property, Personal Property and mixed property. Real Property means any land, whether raw or improved, and includes structures, fixtures, appurtenances and other permanent improvements, excluding moveable machinery and equipment. Real Property includes land that is improved by the construction of Project infrastructure such as, but not limited to, roads, sewers and water lines that are not situated on or under the land, where the infrastructure contributes to the value of such land as a specific purpose of the Project. Successor Recipient means an EDA-approved transferee of Property pursuant to §314.3(d). A Successor Recipient must be an Eligible Recipient of Investment Assistance. Unauthorized Use means any use of Property acquired or improved in whole or in part for purposes not authorized by EDA Investment Assistance, PWEDA or this chapter, as set forth in §314.4. (a) Property that is acquired or improved, in whole or in part, with Investment Assistance shall be held in trust by the Recipient for the benefit of the Project for the Estimated Useful Life of the Project, during which period EDA retains an undivided equitable reversionary interest in the Property (the “Federal Interest”). The Federal Interest secures compliance with matters such as the purpose, scope and use of a Project and is often reflected by a recorded lien, statement or other recordable instrument setting forth EDA's Property interest in a Project (e.g., a mortgage, covenant, or other statement of EDA's Real Property interest in the case of a Project involving the acquisition, construction or improvement of a building. See §314.8.) (b) When the Federal government is fully compensated for the Federal Share of Property acquired or improved, in whole or in part, with Investment Assistance, the Federal Interest is extinguished and the Federal government has no further interest in the Property. (a) The Recipient or Owner must use any Property acquired or improved in whole or in part with Investment Assistance only for the authorized purpose of the Project and such Property must not be Disposed of or Encumbered without EDA's prior written authorization. (b) Where EDA and the Recipient determine that Property acquired or improved in whole or in part with Investment Assistance is no longer needed for the original purpose of the Investment Assistance, EDA, in its sole discretion, may approve the use of such Property in other federal grant programs or in programs that have purposes consistent with those authorized by PWEDA and by this chapter. (c) Where EDA determines that the authorized purpose of the Investment Assistance is to develop Real Property to be leased or sold, such sale or lease is permitted provided it is for Adequate Consideration and the sale is consistent with the authorized purpose of the Investment Assistance and with all applicable Investment Assistance requirements including but not limited to nondiscrimination and environmental compliance. (d) EDA, in its sole discretion, may approve the transfer of any Property from a Recipient to a Successor Recipient (or from one Successor Recipient to another Successor Recipient). The Recipient will remain responsible for complying with the rules of this part and the terms and conditions of the Investment Assistance for the period in which it is the Recipient. Thereafter, the Successor Recipient must comply with the rules of this part and with the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the Recipient (unless such terms and conditions are otherwise amended by EDA). The same rules apply to EDA-approved transfers of Property between Successor Recipients. (e) When acquiring replacement Personal Property of equal or greater value than Personal Property originally acquired with Investment Assistance, the Recipient may, with EDA's approval, trade in such Personal Property originally acquired or sell the original Personal Property and use the proceeds for the acquisition of the replacement Personal Property; provided that the replacement Personal Property is for use in a Project. The replacement Personal Property is subject to the same requirements as the original Personal Property. In extraordinary and compelling circumstances, the Assistant Secretary may approve the replacement of Real Property used in a Project. (f) With EDA's prior written approval, a Recipient may undertake an incidental use of Property that does not interfere with the scope of the Project or the economic purpose for which the Investment was made, provided that the Recipient is in compliance with applicable law and the terms and conditions of the Investment Assistance, and the incidental use of the Property will not violate the terms and conditions of the Investment Assistance or otherwise adversely affect the economic useful life of the Property. Eligible Applicants and Recipients should contact the appropriate regional office (whose contact information is available via the Internet at www.eda.gov) for guidelines on obtaining approval for incidental use of Property under this section. (a) Except as provided in §§314.3 (regarding the authorized use of Property) or 314.10 (regarding the release of EDA's interest in certain Property), or as otherwise authorized by EDA, the Federal government must be compensated by the Recipient for the Federal Share whenever, during the Estimated Useful Life of the Project, any Property acquired or improved in whole or in part with Investment Assistance is Disposed of, Encumbered, or no longer used for the purpose of the Project; provided that for equipment and supplies, the Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants at 15 CFR parts 14 and 24, including any supplements or amendments thereto, shall apply. (b) Additionally, prior to the release of EDA's interest, Real Property or tangible Personal Property acquired or improved with EDA Investment Assistance may not be used: (1) In violation of the nondiscrimination requirements of §302.20 of this chapter or in violation of the terms and conditions of the Investment Assistance; or (2) For any purpose prohibited by applicable law. (c) Where the Disposition, Encumbrance or use of any Property violates paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section, EDA may assert its interest in the Property to recover the Federal Share for the Federal government and may take such actions as authorized by PWEDA and this chapter, including but not limited to the actions provided in §§302.3 and 307.21 of this chapter. EDA may pursue its rights under both paragraph (a) of this section and this paragraph (c) to recover the Federal Share, plus costs and interest. For purposes of this part, “Federal Share” means that portion of the current fair market value of any Property (after deducting actual and reasonable selling and repair expenses, if any, incurred to put the Property into marketable condition) attributable to EDA's participation in the Project. The Federal Share excludes that portion of the current fair market value of the Property attributable to acquisition or improvements before or after EDA's participation in the Project, which are not included in the total Project costs. For example, if the total Project costs are $100, consisting of $50 of Investment Assistance and $50 of Matching Share, the Federal Share is fifty (50) percent. If the Property is disposed of when its current fair market is $250, the Federal Share is $125 (i.e., fifty (50) percent of $250). If $10 is spent to put the Property into salable condition, the Federal Share is $120 (i.e., fifty (50) percent of ($250-$10)). (a) General. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section or as otherwise authorized by EDA, Recipient-owned Property acquired or improved in whole or in part with Investment Assistance must not be used to secure a mortgage or deed of trust or in any way collateralized or otherwise encumbered (collectively, an “Encumbrance” or to “Encumber”). An Encumbrance includes but is not limited to easements, rights-of-way or other restrictions on the use of any Property. (b) Exceptions. Subject to EDA's approval, which will not be unreasonably withheld or unduly delayed, paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to: (1) The use of Recipient-owned Property to secure a grant or loan made by a federal or State agency or other public body participating in the same Project; (2) Recipient-owned Property that is subject to an Encumbrance at the time EDA approves the Project, where EDA determines that the requirements of §314.7(b) are met; (3) Encumbrances arising solely from the requirements of a pre-existing water or sewer facility or other utility Encumbrances, which by their terms extend to additional Property connected to such facilities; and (4) Encumbrances in cases where all of the following are met: (i) EDA, in its sole discretion, determines that there is good cause for a waiver of paragraph (a) of this section; (ii) All proceeds secured by the Encumbrance on the Property shall be available only to the Recipient and shall be used only for the Project for which the Investment Assistance applies or for related activities of which the Project is an essential part; (iii) A grantor/lender will not provide funds without the security of a lien on the Property; and (iv) There is a reasonable expectation, as determined by EDA, that the Recipient will not default on its obligations. (c) Encumbering Recipient-owned Property, other than as permitted in this section, is an Unauthorized Use of the Property under §314.4. (a) General. The Recipient must hold title to the Real Property required for a Project at the time the Investment Assistance is awarded or as provided by paragraph (c) of this section and must maintain title at all times during the Estimated Useful Life of the Project, except in those limited circumstances as provided in paragraph (c) of this section. The Recipient must also furnish evidence, satisfactory in form and substance to EDA, that title to Real Property required for a Project (other than property of the United States) is vested in the Recipient and that any easements, rights-of-way, State or local government permits, long-term leases or other items required for the Project have been or will be obtained by the Recipient within an acceptable time, as determined by EDA. (b)(1) The Recipient must disclose to EDA all Encumbrances, including but not limited to the following: (i) Liens; (ii) Mortgages; (iii) Reservations; (iv) Reversionary interests; and (v) Other restrictions on title or on the Recipient's interest in the Property. (2) No Encumbrance will be acceptable if, as determined by EDA, the Encumbrance interferes with the construction, use, operation or maintenance of the Project during its Estimated Useful Life. (c) Exceptions. The following are exceptions to the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section that the Recipient hold title to the Real Property required for a Project. (1) Where the acquisition of Real Property required for a Project is contemplated as part of an Investment Assistance award, EDA may determine that an agreement for the Recipient to purchase the Real Property will be acceptable for purposes of paragraph (a) of this section if: (i) The Recipient provides EDA with reasonable assurances that it will obtain fee title to the Real Property prior to or concurrent with the initial disbursement of the Investment Assistance; and (ii) EDA, in its sole discretion, determines that the terms and conditions of the purchase agreement adequately safeguard the Federal government's interest in the Real Property. (2) EDA may determine that a long-term leasehold interest for a period not less than the Estimated Useful Life of the Real Property required for a Project will be acceptable for purposes of paragraph (a) of this section if: (i) Fee title to the Real Property is not otherwise obtainable; and (ii) EDA, in its sole discretion, determines that the terms and conditions of the lease adequately safeguard the Federal government's interest in the Real Property. (3) When a Project includes construction within a railroad's right-of-way or over a railroad crossing, EDA may find it acceptable for the work to be completed by the railroad and for the railroad to continue to own, operate and maintain that portion of the Project, if required by the railroad; and provided that, the construction is a minor but essential component of the Project. (4) When a Project includes construction on a State-owned or local government-owned highway (i.e., where the Recipient is not the State or local government owner), EDA may find it acceptable for the State or local government to own, operate and maintain that portion of the Project, if required by the State or local government; provided that, construction is a minor but essential component of the Project, the construction is completed in accordance with EDA requirements, and the State or local government provides assurances to EDA that the: (i) State or local government will operate and maintain the improvements for the Estimated Useful Life of the Project; (ii) State or local government will not sell the improvements for the Estimated Useful Life of the Project; and (iii) Use of the Property will be consistent with the authorized purposes of the Project. (5)(i) When an authorized purpose of the Project is to construct facilities to serve Real Property owned by the Recipient, including but not limited to industrial or commercial parks, for sale or lease to private parties, such sale or lease is permitted so long as: (A) In cases where an authorized purpose of the Project is to sell Real Property, the Recipient provides evidence sufficient to EDA that it holds title to the Real Property required for such Project prior to the disbursement of any portion of the Investment Assistance and will retain title until the sale of the Property; (B) In cases where an authorized purpose of the Project is to lease Real Property, the Recipient provides evidence sufficient to EDA that it holds title to the Real Property required for such Project prior to the EDA disbursement of any portion of the Investment Assistance and will retain title for the entire Estimated Useful Life of the Project; (C) The Recipient completes the Project according to the terms of the Investment Assistance; (D) Any sale or lease of any portion of the Project within the later to occur of the (x) ten (10) year anniversary of the award date of the Investment Assistance or (y) third (3rd) transfer of the Project, must be for Adequate Consideration and the terms and conditions of the Investment Assistance and the purposes of the Project must continue to be fulfilled after such sale or lease; provided, however, that EDA may waive this provision for any sale or lease occurring after this period; (E) The Recipient agrees that the termination, cessation, abandonment or other failure on behalf of the Recipient, purchaser or lessee to complete the Project by the later of the (x) five (5) year anniversary of the award date of the Investment Assistance, or (y) second (2nd) transfer of the Real Property by sale, lease or otherwise, constitutes a failure on behalf of the Recipient to use the Real Property for the economic purposes justifying the Project; and (F) The Recipient agrees that a violation of this paragraph by the Recipient, purchaser or lessee constitutes an Unauthorized Use of the Real Property and the Recipient must further agree to compensate EDA for the Federal government's Federal Share of the Project in the case of such Unauthorized Use. (ii) EDA may also condition the sale or lease on the satisfaction by the Recipient, purchaser or lessee (as the case may be) of any additional requirements that EDA may impose, including but not limited to EDA's pre-approval of the sale or lease. (6)(i) When an authorized purpose of the Project is to construct facilities to serve privately-owned Real Property, including but not limited to industrial or commercial parks, the ownership, sale or lease of such Real Property is permitted so long as: (A) The Owner provides evidence sufficient to EDA that it holds title to the Real Property improved or benefited by the EDA Investment Assistance prior to the disbursement of any portion of the Investment Assistance and will retain title to the Real Property for the entire Estimated Useful Life of the Property or until the sale of such Real Property; (B) The Recipient and the Owner agree to use Real Property improved or benefited by the EDA Investment Assistance only for the authorized purposes of the Project and in manner consistent with the terms and conditions of the EDA Investment Assistance for the Estimated Useful Life of the Project; (C) The Recipient must provide adequate assurances that the Owner will complete the Project according to the terms of the Investment Assistance; (D) Any sale or lease of any portion of the Project within the later to occur of the (x) ten (10) year anniversary of the award date of the Investment Assistance or (y) third (3rd) transfer of the Project, must be for Adequate Consideration and the terms and conditions of the Investment Assistance and the purposes of the Project must continue to be fulfilled after such sale or lease; provided, however, that EDA may waive this provision for any sale or lease occurring after this period; (E) The Recipient agrees that the termination, cessation, abandonment or other failure on behalf of the Recipient, Owner, purchaser or lessee to complete the Project by the later of the (x) five (5) year anniversary of the award date of the Investment Assistance, or (y) second (2nd) transfer of the Real Property by sale, lease or otherwise, constitutes a failure on behalf of the Recipient to use the Real Property for the economic purposes justifying the Project; and (F) The Recipient further agrees that a violation of this paragraph by the Owner, purchaser or lessee constitutes an Unauthorized Use of the Real Property and the Recipient must further agree to compensate EDA for the Federal government's Federal Share of the Project in the case of such Unauthorized Use. (ii) EDA may also condition its Investment Assistance on the satisfaction by the Recipient, Owner or by the purchaser or lessee (as the case may be) of any additional requirements that EDA may impose, including but not limited to EDA's pre-approval of a sale or lease. (a) For all Projects involving the acquisition, construction or improvement of a building, as determined by EDA, the Recipient shall execute a lien, covenant or other statement of EDA's interest in the Property acquired or improved in whole or in part with the EDA Investment Assistance. The statement shall specify the Estimated Useful Life of the Project and shall include, but not be limited to, the Disposition, Encumbrance and Federal Share requirements. The statement shall be satisfactory in form and substance to EDA. (b) The statement of EDA's interest must be perfected and placed of record in the Real Property records of the jurisdiction in which the Real Property is located, all in accordance with applicable law. (c) Facilities in which the EDA Investment is only a small part of a large project, as determined by EDA, may be exempted from the requirements of this section. For all Projects which EDA determines involve the acquisition or improvement of significant items of Personal Property, including but not limited to ships, machinery, equipment, removable fixtures or structural components of buildings, the Recipient shall execute a security interest or other statement of EDA's interest in the Personal Property, acceptable in form and substance to EDA, which statement must be perfected and placed of record in accordance with applicable law, with continuances re-filed as appropriate. Whether or not a statement is required by EDA to be recorded, the Recipient must hold title to the Personal Property acquired or improved as part of the Project, except as otherwise provided in this part. (a) General. Upon the request of a Recipient and before the expiration of the Estimated Useful Life of a Project, EDA may release, in whole or in part, any Real Property or tangible Personal Property interest held by EDA, in connection with Investment Assistance after the date that is twenty (20) years after the date on which the Investment Assistance was awarded. (b) Exception. EDA releases all of its Real Property and tangible Personal Property interests in Projects awarded under the Public Works Employment Act of 1976 (Pub. L. 94–369), as amended by the Public Works Employment Act of 1977 (Pub. L. 95–28). (c)(1) Unauthorized use. Notwithstanding the release of EDA's interest pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, Real Property or tangible Personal Property acquired or improved with Investment Assistance may not be used: (i) In violation of the nondiscrimination requirements set forth in §302.20 of this chapter; or (ii) For inherently religious activities prohibited by applicable federal law. (2) Violation of this paragraph (c) constitutes an Unauthorized Use of the Real Property or of the tangible Personal Property. (d) Release. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the release of EDA's interest pursuant to this section is not automatic; it requires EDA's approval, which will not be withheld except for good cause, as determined in EDA's sole discretion. The release may be unconditional or may be conditioned upon some activity of the Recipient intended to be pursued as a consequence of the release. (2) When requesting a release of EDA's interest pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, the Recipient will be required to disclose to EDA the intended future use of the Real Property or the tangible Personal Property for which the release is requested. (i) A Recipient not intending to use the Real Property or tangible Personal Property for inherently religious activities following EDA's release will be required to execute a covenant of use. A covenant of use with respect to Real Property shall be recorded in the jurisdiction where the Real Property is located in accordance with §314.8. A covenant of use with respect to items of tangible Personal Property shall be perfected and recorded in accordance with applicable law, with continuances re-filed as appropriate. See §314.9. A covenant of use shall (at a minimum) prohibit the use of the Real Property or the tangible Personal Property: (A) For inherently religious activities in violation of applicable federal law; and (B) For any purpose that would violate the nondiscrimination requirements set forth in §302.20 of this chapter. (ii) EDA may require a Recipient (or its successors in interest) who intends or foresees the use of Real Property or tangible Personal Property for inherently religious activities following the release of EDA's interest to compensate EDA for the Federal Share of such Property. EDA recommends that a Recipient who intends or foresees the use of Real Property or tangible Personal Property (including by successors of the Recipient) for inherently religious activities to contact EDA well in advance of requesting a release pursuant to this section.
Title 13: Business Credit and Assistance
PART 314—PROPERTY
Section Contents
§ 314.1 Definitions.
§ 314.2 Federal interest.
§ 314.3 Authorized use of Property.
§ 314.4 Unauthorized use of Property.
§ 314.5 Federal Share.
§ 314.6 Encumbrances.
§ 314.7 Title.
§ 314.8 Recorded statement.
§ 314.9 Recorded statement—Title.
§ 314.10 Procedures for release of EDA's Property interest.
Subpart A—General
top
§ 314.1 Definitions.
top
§ 314.2 Federal interest.
top
§ 314.3 Authorized use of Property.
top
§ 314.4 Unauthorized use of Property.
top
§ 314.5 Federal Share.
top
§ 314.6 Encumbrances.
top
Subpart B—Real Property
top
§ 314.7 Title.
top
§ 314.8 Recorded statement.
top
Subpart C—Personal Property
top
§ 314.9 Recorded statement—Title.
top
Subpart D—Release of EDA's Property Interest
top
§ 314.10 Procedures for release of EDA's Property interest.
top
