[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 44 (Monday, March 6, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11760-11761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5272]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments request.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces RBS' intention to request an extension of a currently 
approved information collection in support of the Intermediary 
Relending Program (IRP).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 5, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: M. Wayne Stansbery, Loan Specialist, 
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA, STOP 3225, Washington, DC 
20250, Telephone: (202) 720-6819.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: RBS/Intermediary Relending Program.
    OMB Number: 0570-0021.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2000.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The objective of the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) 
is to improve community facilities and employment opportunities and 
increase economic activity in rural areas by financing business 
facilities and community development. This purpose is achieved through 
loans made by the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) to 
intermediaries that establish programs for the purpose of providing 
loans to ultimate recipients for business facilities and community 
development. The regulations contain various requirements for 
information from the intermediaries and some requirements may cause the 
intermediary to seek information from ultimate recipients. The 
information requested is necessary for RBS to be able to process 
applications in a responsible manner, make prudent credit and program 
decisions, and effectively monitor the

[[Page 11761]]

intermediaries' activities to protect the Government's financial 
interest and ensure that funds obtained from the Government are used 
appropriately. It includes information to identify the intermediary, 
describe the intermediary's experience and expertise, describe how the 
intermediary will operate its revolving loan fund, provide for debt 
instruments, loan agreements, and security, and other material 
necessary for prudent credit decisions and reasonable program 
monitoring.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 3.72 hours per response.
    Respondents: Non-profit corporations, public agencies, and 
cooperatives.
    Estimated number of Respondents: 160.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 30.35.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 16,930 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cheryl 
Thompson, 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 
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 to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
respond, including 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, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, Washington, DC 20250. All 
responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request 
for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: February 25, 2000.
Dayton J. Watkins.
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 00-5272 Filed 3-3-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-U