[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 42 (Friday, March 4, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10594-10595]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4269]


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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) 
intention to request an extension for a currently approved information 
collection in support of the program for the Business and Industry Loan 
Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 3, 2005 to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda Griffin, Senior Loan 
Specialist, RBS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 3224, telephone 
(202) 720-6802 or e-mail [email protected]. The Federal 
Information Relay service on (800) 887-8339 is available for TDD users.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Business and Industry Loan Program.
    OMB Number: 0570-0014.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2005.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection and recordkeeping requirements.

[[Page 10595]]

    Abstract: The Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed and Direct 
Loan Programs are authorized under Section 310B of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended. The purpose of the (B&I) 
Guaranteed and Direct Loan Programs is to improve, develop, or finance 
businesses, industry and employment and improve the economic and 
environmental climate in rural communities, including pollution control 
abatement and control. This purpose is achieved through bolstering the 
existing private credit structure, either through the guaranteeing of 
quality loans made by lending institutions, or making direct loans, 
thereby providing lasting community benefits. B&I program authority is 
composed of direct loan authority and loan guarantee authority. The 
program is administered by the Agency through a State Director serving 
the State.
    All reporting and recordkeeping burden estimates for making and 
servicing B&I Guaranteed Loans have been moved to the new B&I 
Guaranteed Loan Program regulations which are at 7 CFR Parts 4279 and 
4287. The only burden associated with 7 CFR Part 1980 is a small 
portion of B&I Direct loan servicing. 7 CFR Part 1951 is also used for 
servicing B&I Direct and Community Facility Loans.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 3 hours per response.
    Respondents: Individuals, rural businesses, for profit businesses, 
non-profit businesses, Indian tribes, public bodies, and cooperatives.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 152.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 352.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 835 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Renita 
Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services 
Division at (202) 692-0035.
    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 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 Renita 
Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services 
Division, 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 OMB approval. 
All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: February 23, 2005.
Peter J. Thomas,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 05-4269 Filed 3-3-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P