[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 244 (Friday, December 19, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70759-70760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31341]


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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 intention to 
request an extension for a currently approved information collection in 
support of the program for 7 CFR part 4284, subpart G.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 17, 2004 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane M. Berger, Loan Specialist, 
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA, STOP 3225, 1400 Independence 
Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-3225, Telephone: (202) 720-2383.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Rural Business Opportunity Grants.
    OMB Number: 0570-0024.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2004.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The objective of the Rural Business Opportunity Grant 
(RBOG) program is to promote sustainable economic development in rural 
areas. This purpose is achieved through grants made by the Rural 
Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) to public and private non-profit 
organizations and cooperatives to pay costs of economic development 
planning and technical assistance for rural businesses. The regulations 
contain various requirements for information from the grant applicants 
and recipients. The information requested is necessary for RBS to be 
able to process applications in a responsible manner, make prudent 
program decisions, and effectively monitor the grantees' activities to 
ensure that funds obtained from the Government are used appropriately. 
Objectives include gathering information to identify the applicant, 
describe the applicant's

[[Page 70760]]

experience and expertise, describe the project and how the applicant 
will operate it, and other material necessary for prudent Agency 
decisions and reasonable program monitoring.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 5.97 hours per response.
    Respondents: Non-profit corporations, public agencies, and 
cooperatives.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 210.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 13.8.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 2895.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 17,290.
    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 
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, including whether the information 
will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of Rural Business-
Cooperative Service'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, Support Services Division, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, 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 10, 2003.
John Rosso,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 03-31341 Filed 12-18-03; 8:45 am]
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