[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 5499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2555]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business--Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Business--Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's intention to 
request an extension for a currently approved information collection in 
support of the program for the Business and Industry Loan Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before April 6, 
1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Bonnet, Senior Commercial Loan 
Specialist, RBS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 3221, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3221, telephone (202) 720-
1804 or E-mail ``[email protected]''. The Federal Information 
Relay service on 1-800-887-8339 is available for TDD users.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Business and Industry Loan Program.
    OMB Number: 0570-0014.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection and recordkeeping requirements.
    Abstract: The B&I Program is authorized under Section 310-B of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended. The purpose of 
the Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed and Direct Loan Programs is 
to improve, develop, or finance businesses, industry and employment and 
improve the economic and environmental climate in rural communities, 
including pollution abatement and control. This purpose is achieved 
through bolstering the existing private credit structure either through 
the guaranteeing of quality loans made by lending institutions or 
making direct loans, thereby providing lasting community benefits. B&I 
program authority is composed of direct loan authority and loan 
guarantee authority. The program is administered by the Agency through 
a State Director serving the State.
    All reporting and recordkeeping burden estimates for making and 
servicing B&I Guaranteed Loans have been moved to the new B&I 
Guaranteed Loan Program regulations which are at 7 CFR 4279-A and B and 
4287-B. The only burden remaining associated with 7 CFR 1980-E is a 
small portion of B&I Direct loanmaking. 7 CFR 1951-E is used for 
servicing B&I Direct and Community Facility loans. The Agency is 
currently developing new B&I Direct Loan Program regulations. When 
completed, 7 CFR 1980-E will be eliminated from the CFR. Because only 
the burden associated with 7 CFR 1980-E is included in this package, 
only a fraction of the total reporting and recordkeeping burden for 
making and servicing B&I Direct Loans is reflected.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 2.75 hours per response.
    Respondents: Rural businesses, for-profit businesses, non-profit 
businesses, Indian tribes, and public bodies.
    Estimated number of respondents: 200.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 2.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,370 hours.
    Copies of this information collection and recordkeeping can be 
obtained from Jean Mosley, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, 
(202) 720-9750.
    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 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, minimize the burden of collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Jean Mosley, 
Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Stop 0743, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-0743. All responses to this notice will be summarized and 
included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become 
a matter of public record.

Dayton J. Watkins,
Administrator, Rural Business--Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 98-2555 Filed 2-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-U