[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 33 (Friday, February 17, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8564-8565]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-2304]


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

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 18, 2006 to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Hubbell, Specialty Lenders 
Division, Rural Business--Cooperative Service, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Room 6866, STOP 3221, Washington, DC, 20250, Telephone 
(202) 690-2516.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Brigitte Sumter, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support 
Services Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, 
Stop 0742, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0012.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2006.
    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 Program (REDLG), 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 telecommunication 
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 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 that 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 2.25 hours per response.
    Respondents: RUS borrowers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 120.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 1,996.
    Estimated Number of Hours per Response: 2.25.
    Estimated Total Hours: 4,481.90 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Brigitte 
Sumter, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-0042.

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

[[Page 8565]]

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 Brigitte Sumter, Regulations and 
Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services Division, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Rural Development, Stop 0742, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
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 10, 2006.
Jackie J. Gleason,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business--Cooperative Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-2304 Filed 2-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P