; and (2) to convene meetings with leaders and officials of State and local governments for the purpose of recommending and promoting local administrative and legislative initiatives needed to advance the position of disadvantaged business in the local economy. (b) Financial assistance In order to carry out the purposes of subsection (a) the Administration is hereby authorized to provide financial assistance to State and local governments in the form of contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements. (c) Publications in the federal register (1) At least 120 days before the beginning of each fiscal year, the Administration shall publish for public comment in the Federal Register the actual or anticipated amount of financial assistance that will or may be available in the immediately succeeding fiscal year for grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements planned to be awarded pursuant to this section. Such publication shall also identify the proposed allocation of funds between the several States (and cities within such States) and the exact methodology used by the Administration to make such proposed allocations. (2) At least 60 days prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, the Administration shall publish in the Federal Register its response to comments received pursuant to paragraph (1) and any change in the allocation methodology which may be adopted as a result thereof including its effect on the allocation of funds on the several States (and cities within such States) for the immediately succeeding fiscal year. II CAPITAL FORMATION 201. Access to equity capital The Securities and Exchange Commission shall consult and cooperate with the Administration in an effort to promote access by disadvantaged business to securities markets and otherwise achieve the purposes of this title. 202. Mbda study on capital formation alternatives (a) In general The Administrator shall conduct a study on alternatives for providing capital formation assistance to qualified disadvantaged business concerns. (b) Report The