[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 26, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66397-66398]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-31618]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business--Corporative 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 (RBS) 
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 by February 25, 2002 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Bonnet, Senior Commercial Loan 
Specialist, RBS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 3221, telephone 
(202) 720-1804 or email [email protected]. The Federal Information 
Relay Service on (800) 887-8339 is available for TDD users.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Business and Industry Loan Program.
    OMB Number: 0570-0014.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection and recordkeeping requirements.
    Abstract: The B&I Program is authorized under Section 310B 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 control 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 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.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 8 hours per response.
    Respondents: Individuals, rural businesses, for profit businesses, 
non-profit businesses, Indian tribes, public bodies, cooperatives.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 200.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 586.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,545 hours.
    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 
RBS, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) 
the accuracy of RBS 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

[[Page 66398]]

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. 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: December 14, 2001.
John Rosso,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 01-31618 Filed 12-21-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P