; (2) evaluate the technical capacity of eligible recipients (as defined in section 3 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3122 )) to apply for Economic Development Administration grants; (3) provide recommendations for improving the administration and timely disbursement of grants awarded by the Economic Development Administration, including for improving the communication with grantees regarding timelines for disbursement of funds; (4) identify barriers to small communities applying for Economic Development Administration grants, in consultation with— (A) State economic development representatives; (B) secretaries of State departments of economic development; (C) representatives for small communities that have received Economic Development Administration grants; and (D) representatives for small communities that have never applied for Economic Development Administration grants; and (5) provide recommendations for simplifying and easing the ability for grant applicants to navigate the Economic Development Administration grant application process, including through a review of regulations, including environmental regulations, not in the jurisdiction of the Economic Development Administration to identify possible grant application process improvements. 125. GAO study on rural communities (a) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States (referred to in this section as the Comptroller General ) shall conduct a study to evaluate the impacts of funding provided by the Economic Development Administration to distressed communities (as described in section 301(a) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3161(a) )) located in rural areas. (b) Contents In carrying out the study under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall— (1) identify not less than 5 geographically diverse distressed communities in rural areas