[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15303-15304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7035]


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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 7 CFR Part 1942-G Rural Business Enterprise 
Grants and Television Demonstration Grants.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 22, 2000 to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carole Boyko, Rural Development Loan 
Specialist, Rural Business--Cooperative Service, USDA, Specialty 
Lenders Division, Stop 3325, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, 
DC 20250-3325. Telephone: (202) 720-0661.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: RBS/Rural Business Enterprise Grants and Television 
Demonstration Grants.
    OMB Number: 0570-0132.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The objective of the RBEG program is to facilitate the 
development of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. 
This purpose is achieved through grants made by RBS to public bodies 
and nonprofit corporations. Television Demonstration grants are 
available to private nonprofit public television systems to provide 
information on agriculture and other issues of importance to farmers 
and the

[[Page 15304]]

rural residents. The regulations contain various requirements for 
information from the grantees, and some requirements may cause the 
grantees to require information from other parties. The information 
requested is vital for RBS to be able to process applications in a 
responsible manner, make prudent program decisions, and effectively 
monitor the grantees' activities to protect the Government's financial 
interest and ensure that funds obtained from the Government are used 
appropriately. It includes information used to determine eligibility; 
the specific purposes for which grant funds will be used; timeframes; 
who will be carrying out the grant purposes; project priority; 
applicant experience; employment improvement; and mitigation of 
economic distress.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1.95 hours per response.
    Respondents: Non-profit corporations, public bodies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 720.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 28.94.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 40,650 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Jean 
Mosley, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch at (202) 692-0041.

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 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 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 Jean Mosley, Regulations and 
Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural 
Development, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 
20250. 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: March 14, 2000.
Dayton J. Watkins,
Administrator, Rural Business--Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 00-7035 Filed 3-21-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P