[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 246 (Monday, December 23, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78218-78219]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32192]


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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 (RBS's) 
intention to request an extension for a currently approved information 
collection in support of the program for Guaranteed Loanmaking--
Business and Industry Loans.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 21, 2003 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Bonnet, Senior Commercial Loan 
Specialist, Business and Industry Division Processing Branch, Rural 
Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 
3224, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3224, 
Telephone (202) 720-1804, e-mail ``[email protected]''.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Guaranteed Loanmaking--Business and Industry Loans.
    OMB Number: 0570-0017.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2003.
    Type of Request: Extension of Currently Approved Information 
Collection.
    Abstract: The purpose of the program is to 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 through guarantee of quality loans, 
which will provide lasting community benefits. This subpart contains 
requirements applicable to Business and Industry Loan Program loans 
administered by the Agency.
    Information being collected on guaranteed loans is typically 
collected from lenders. There are no new data collection requirements 
contained in the renewal notice. However, we revised several B&I forms 
so they could be used in two other Rural Development programs 
(Community Facilities and Water and Waste Disposal Guaranteed Loan 
Programs). The estimated burden associated with their use of these 
forms

[[Page 78219]]

have been incorporated into this package and is reflected here.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 2.4 hours per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit; State, Local or 
Tribal;--Lenders, accountants, attorneys.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 800.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 10.68.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 8,544.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 20,561.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cheryl 
Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, 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'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 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, 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: December 12, 2002.
John Rosso,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 02-32192 Filed 12-20-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P