[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 130 (Tuesday, July 8, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 40626]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17167]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Extension of 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 of a currently approved information 
collection in support of the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 8, 2003, 
to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lori Washington, Specialty Lenders 
Division, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, STOP 3225, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20250-3225, Telephone (202) 720-9815, E-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Intermediary Relending Program.
    OMB Number: 0570-0021.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2003.
    Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection 
information.
    Abstract: The objective of the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) 
is to improve community facilities and employment opportunities and 
increase economic activity in rural areas by financing business 
facilities and community development. This purpose is achieved through 
loans made by the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) to 
intermediaries that establish programs for the purpose of providing 
loans to ultimate recipients for business facilities and community 
development. The regulations contain various requirements for 
information from the intermediaries, and some requirements may cause 
the intermediary to seek information from ultimate recipients. The 
information requested is necessary for RBS to be able to process 
applications in a responsible manner, make prudent credit and program 
decisions, and effectively monitor the intermediaries' activities to 
protect the Government's financial interest and ensure that funds 
obtained from the Government are used appropriately. It includes 
information to identify the intermediary; describe the intermediary's 
experience and expertise; describe how the intermediary will operate 
its revolving loan fund; provide for debt instruments, loan agreements, 
and security; and other material necessary for prudent credit decisions 
and reasonable program monitoring.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 7.5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Non-profit corporations, public agencies, and 
cooperatives.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 202.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 11.9.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 2,403.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 17,989 hours.
    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, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 
0742, Washington, DC 20250-0742. 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: June 27, 2003.
John Rosso,
 Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 03-17167 Filed 7-7-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P