[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47868-47869]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23212]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Clearance of Information Collection Within 
Existing Regulation

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Department's intention to reinstate information 
collection for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before November 12, 
1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Wyatt, Specialty Lenders 
Division, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250, 
telephone (202) 720-0410.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program.
    OMB Number: 0572-0086.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 1994.
    Type of Request: Reinstate information collection for the Rural 
Economic Development Loan and Grant Program.
    Abstract: The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program 
provides zero interest loans and grants to Rural Utilities Service 
(RUS) borrowers for the purpose of promoting rural economic development 
and job creation projects. The loans and grants under this program may 
be provided to approximately 1,700 electric and telephone utilities 
across the country that have borrowed funds from RUS. Under this 
program, the RUS borrowers may receive the loan funds and pass them on 
to businesses or other organizations. The RUS borrower is responsible 
for the loan even if it does not receive payments from the ultimate 
recipient. Grants may be provided to establish revolving loan funds.
    Rural Business-Cooperative Service needs to receive the information 
contained in this collection of information to select the projects it 
believes will provide the most long term economic benefit to rural 
areas. The selection process is competitive and the Agency has 
consistently received more applications than it could fund. The Agency 
also needs to make sure the funds are used for the intended purpose 
and, in the case of the loan, that the funds will be repaid. The Agency 
must determine that loans made from revolving loan funds established 
with grants were used for eligible purposes. RUS borrowers that wish to 
apply for zero interest loans and grants must submit an application 
package. RUS borrowers apply at their own discretion; no RUS borrower 
is required to apply under this program.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 3.4 hours per response.
    Respondents: Almost all RUS electric and telecommunications 
borrowers are eligible for funds under this program. However, RUS 
borrowers apply at their own discretion. No RUS borrower is required to 
apply under this program.
    Estimated number of Respondents: 180.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 21.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,240 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Sam 
Spencer, Rural Business Team, Information Collection Coordinator, at 
(202) 720-9588.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility and clarity of the information collected; and (d) 
ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Sam 
Spencer, Rural Business Team, Information Collection Coordinator, 
Regulations and Paperwork Management Division, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Rural Development, Stop 0743, Washington, D.C. 20250. All 
responses to this will be summarized and included in the request for 
OMB

[[Page 47869]]

approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: August 30, 1996.
Dayton J. Watkins,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 96-23212 Filed 9-10-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-32-P