[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3201-3202]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-1280]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Rural Utilities Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY:  Rural Business-Cooperative Service.

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 Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (7 CFR 
1703, Subpart B).

DATES:  Comments on this notice must be received by March 20, 2000, to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Mark Wyatt, Specialty Lenders 
Division, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, STOP 3225, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 
20250-3225, Telephone (202) 720-2383.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program.
    OMB Number: 0572-0012.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) is part of 
the Rural Development mission area of the United States Department of 
Agriculture. RBS administers the Rural Economic Development Loan and 
Grant (REDLG) program, which 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 the REDLG 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 RUS 
borrowers to establish revolving loan funds.
    RBS 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 RBS has generally received more applications than it 
could fund. RBS 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. RBS must determine that loans made from revolving loan funds 
established with grants are used for eligible purposes.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 3.4 hours per response.
    Respondents: RUS borrowers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 180.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 12.6.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 2,276.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,742.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cheryl 
Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services 
Division, at (202) 692-0043.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, including whether the information 
will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of Rural Business-
Cooperative Service's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection

[[Page 3202]]

of information including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity 
of the information to be 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 Cheryl Thompson, Regulations and 
Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services Division, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. 
SW, Washington, DC 20250-0742. 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.

    Dated: January 11, 2000.
Dayton J. Watkins,
Administrator, Rural Business--Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 00-1280 Filed 1-19-00 8:45 am]
BILLIING CODE 3410-XY-U