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3. Simplifying the Regulatory Progress In addition to offering businesses direct help in dealing with government, the Bureau works directly with government on behalf of business. These efforts to simplify, consolidate and streamline regulatory requirements involve review of both new and existing regulations. The Bureau studies the permit requirements of state agencies and recommends ways to reduce the number of permits required, and the amount of paperwork involved. As part of a continuing statewide program of regulatory reform, the Bureau studies the impact of all new regulations and helps assure they are clearly written in plain language. In this way, the Bureau helps businesses deal more directly and knowledgeably with government, and helps government be more efficient and responsive in regulating business. In its initial few months of operation with limited staff, the Bureau has helped more than 3,500 individuals and businesses with information, guidance and direct assistance, usually (in 80% of the cases) within 24 hours. Though the Bureau has provided information and help to large corporations as far away as Floridaand California, the overwhelming majority of requests come from small and medium sized businesses in Minnesota. For additional information or assistance contact: Charles A. Schaffer, Director, Bureau of Business Licenses, }Yfti Department of Energy, Planning and Development, =8C Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55101 or phone (612) 296 -5 =23; Toll-free 1- 800 -652 -9747. Notice of Availability of Juvenile Justice Act Funds The Office of Local Government, Department of Ene: , Planning and Development is accepting applications fox juvenile justice grants to begin on or about September 30, 1982, and end no later than June 30, 1983. Eligible pronni areas include: • Juvenile Facility Accreditation • Pre- and Post Adjudication Alternatives • Improvements to Juvenile Courts • Training Programs for Juvenile Practitioners Applications are due by 4:00 p m -, June 15, 1982, at the Crime Control Planning Board Office, 444 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55101. Requests for application forms and inquiries regarding the funds available should be addressed to Judy Plante, Management Analyst Senior, at the above address. Telephone is (612) 296-3898. HUD Plans Workshops on Small Cities CDBG The January "Briefs" was devoted entirely to the FY82 HUD Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program in anticipation of an application deadline in early April. Because of delays in Washington, however, HUD Area Offices have not been able to develop their programs and the application deadlines have been postponed to later this summer. The delays concern HUD regulations for the Small Cities Program which are needed before Area Offices can accept applications. 'While Small Cities regulations were originally scheduled to be printed in the Federal Register in January, HUD watchers are now less than optimistic for printing in late May or early June. On the positive side HUD Washington authorized Area Offices to proceed with continued funding on second and third multi -year comprehensive grants and authorized Area Offices to accept applications for Small Cities applications to alleviate imminent threats to health and safety. It is anticipated that HUD Washington will release Small Cities regulations by the end of June governing the distribution of $2.12±1W Small Cities grants in Minnesota. The Minnesota HUD Area Office hopes that applications can be accepted in July or August and that grant awards can be made by the end of Octoher As reported earlier in the "Briefs" the FY82 Small Cities program will include a number of changes from past years. Highlights of the changes are listed below: Simplification of the selection syst- eliminating a number of factors; scoring mainly on program impact, poverty a! performance. • Elimination of the distinction between politan and non- metropolitan fund alloca' • Elimination of "in behalf or applications for counties and states. • Elimination of the pre - application submission. • Elimination of the housing assistance plan require- ment. • Simplification of the citizen participation require- ments. • Elimination of A -95 review requirements. • Elimination of new multi -year comprehensive grants. The Minnesota HUD Area Office has tentativey scheduled five workshops for eligible Small Citi applicants to explain the process and details of the FY87 application process. These workshops will be sponsored by the Office of Local Government and Government Traini: Service. Locations for the workshops are as follows: Grand Rapids Willmar Bemidji Faribault Metropolitan Area. Individuals attending these workshops can arrange fot consultation sessions with HUD Area Office staff to discasa specific projects. Notices of the times and places where tbt workshops will be held will be publicized by the Government Training Services, Office of Local Government, HUD Arca Office and Regional Developmem c^^m^^«inns. For additional information on the and to make arrangements for individcal sessions with H UD staff contact Mary 5abakte 'ernment Training Service, 202 Minnesota E. Fourth Street, St. Paul, MN 55101(612) 222 free 1- 800 -652 -9719.