[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 191 (Tuesday, October 3, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58370-58371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-16286]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business--Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Business--Cooperative Service.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's (RBS) 
intention to request information collection in support of the Rural 
Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program and Televisions Demonstration 
Grants (7 CFR part 1942-G).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 4, 2006 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Mason, Specialty Lenders 
Division, Rural Business--Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, STOP 3225, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 
20250-3225, telephone (202) 690-1433.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Renita Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support 
Services Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, 
Stop 0742, 1400

[[Page 58371]]

Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Rural Business Enterprise Grants and Televisions 
Demonstration Grants.
    OMB Number: 0570-0022.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 1, 2007
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The objective of the RBEG program is to facilitate the 
development of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. 
This purpose is achieved through grants made by RBS to public bodies 
and nonprofit corporations. Television Demonstration grants are 
available to private nonprofit public television systems to provide 
information on agriculture and other issues of importance to farmers 
and the rural residents. The regulation contains various requirements 
for information from the grantees, and some requirements may cause the 
grantees to require information from other parties. The information 
requested is vital for RBS to be able to process applications in a 
responsible manner, make prudent program decisions, and effectively 
monitor the grantees' activities to protect the Government's financial 
interest and ensure that funds obtained from the Government are used 
appropriately. It includes information to determine eligibility; the 
specific purpose for which grant funds will be used; timeframes; who 
will be carrying out the grant purposes; project priority; applicant 
experience; employment improvement; and mitigation of economic 
distress.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 2.5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Nonprofit corporations and public bodies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 720.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 12.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 8,640.
    Estimated Number of Hours Per Response: 2.5.
    Estimated Total Hours: 21,600 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 Renita 
Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, 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 Office of Management and Budget 
approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: September 26, 2006.
Jackie J. Gleason,
Administrator, Rural Business--Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. E6-16286 Filed 10-2-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P