[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 5234]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-2399]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 22 / Monday, February 3, 2003 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 5234]]



SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

13 CFR Part 120


Business Loan Program

AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM); notice of 
extension of the comment period.

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SUMMARY: By means of an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM), 
the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is requesting comments 
addressing the Certified Development Company (CDC) Loan Program (the 
``CDC Program'' or the ``504 Program''). After a review of the 
comments, SBA will consider proposing amendments to existing program 
regulations that will improve overall program management.
    SBA is revisiting the 504 Program policies as a prudent management 
exercise in light of major changes in the economy, the financial 
services industry, technology, and in CDCs' operations since the 
program's inception in 1980. The review has also been prompted by SBA's 
on-going discussions with the 504 industry and by specific requests 
made to SBA to expand CDCs' product base to include 7(a) loans or Small 
Business Investment Companies. In particular, SBA is seeking comments 
on the following: Whether the 504 Program is meeting its statutory 
purpose as defined in section 501(a) of the Small Business Investment 
Act; the appropriate long-term goals and annual performance measures 
for the program given its statutory requirement; the appropriate data 
elements required to assure solid program oversight while minimizing 
public data collection burdens; operational or regulatory impediments 
to providing long-term financing in rural or urban areas; and 
programmatic changes that could increase CDC competition and increase 
small businesses' access to loans.
    The ANPRM is intended to stimulate dialogue on these and other 
issues pertaining to the CDC Program. The ANPRM was published on 
December 6, 2002, 67 FR 72622. The comment period closes on February 4, 
2003. Because of the broad range of topics and issues addressed in the 
ANPRM, and due to requests from the public and members of Congress, SBA 
is extending the time period for comments by an additional 30 days to 
March 6, 2003. We do this because of our desire to have a meaningful 
dialogue on the important issues that seek to enhance SBA's efforts to 
serve small businesses through the CDC Program.

DATES: The comment period for the ANPRM published December 6, 2002 (67 
FR 72622) is extended through March 6, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments to: James E. Rivera, Associate 
Administrator for Financial Assistance, U.S. Small Business 
Administration, 409 Third Street, SW., 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20416. 
Comments may be sent by e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gail H. Hepler, Chief, 504 Loan Policy 
Branch, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street, SW., 8th 
Floor, Washington, DC 20416. Questions may be sent by e-mail to 
[email protected] or by telephone at (202) 205-7530. This is not a 
toll-free number.

    Dated: January 27, 2003.
James E. Rivera,
Associate Administrator for Financial Assistance.
[FR Doc. 03-2399 Filed 1-31-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025-01-P