[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 15 (Thursday, January 23, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3229-3230]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1455]


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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.

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

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 24, 2003, to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Wing, Specialty Lenders 
Division, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, STOP 3225, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 
20250-3225, Telephone (202) 720-9558.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program.
    OMB Number: 0572-0012.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2003.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: RBS is part of the Rural Development mission area of the 
U.S. 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

[[Page 3230]]

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 2.7 hours per response.
    Respondents: RUS borrowers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 120.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 13.3.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 1,596.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,272.
    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 the 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 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. All responses to this notice will be 
summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and 
Budget approval. All comments will also become a matter of public 
record.

    Dated: January 13, 2003.
John Rosso,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 03-1455 Filed 1-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P