[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 31 (Thursday, February 15, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 7402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-2618]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of a Public Meeting on Administration of the Business and 
Industry Guaranteed Loan Program and the Section 9006 Renewable Energy 
Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Loan and Grant Program

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), an agency within 
the USDA Rural Development Mission area, will hold a public meeting 
entitled ``The Rural Development Lenders Conference.'' The purpose of 
this event is to provide an open forum to solicit feedback on the 
delivery of the Business and Industry and Section 9006 Renewable Energy 
Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loan Programs in 
an effort to be more responsive to our customers.

DATES: The meeting will be held on March 8, 2007. Pre-registration will 
begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. EST and the program will begin at 9 a.m. 
and will conclude by 12:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Whitten Building, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC. Participants should enter 
the building through the National Mall entrance located on Jefferson 
Drive. A State or Government-issued valid photo identification (i.e., 
driver's license) is required for clearance by building security 
personnel. A Rural Development representative will be available to 
direct you to the conference room.
    Instructions for Participation: Although pre-registration is 
encouraged, walk-ins will be accommodated to the extent that space 
permits. Registered participants will be given priority for making 
presentations prior to walk-ins. Anyone interested in providing 
feedback to improve program administration is encouraged to attend the 
public meeting. To register and request time for an oral statement, 
please visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/busp/rdlendersconf.htm. The 
deadline for pre-registration is March 5, 2007. Written comments are 
also encouraged and can be submitted in advance of the public meeting 
or provided at the meeting. To submit advanced comments by e-mail, send 
to [email protected]. If you have problems accessing the Web 
site, please send an e-mail to the address above.
    The Agency is especially interested in comments on the following 
topics:
    1. Effectiveness of the Agency's outreach activities.
    2. Equity requirements. Other ways to achieve the objective.
    3. Suggestions for improving, streamlining, or simplifying the 
application process for these programs.
    4. Other recommendations for improving the delivery of these 
programs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenya Nicholas, Business Programs, 
RBS, Room 6847 South Agriculture Building, Stop 3224, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3224, Telephone: 202-720-1970.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The oral and written information obtained 
from interested parties will be considered in improving program 
administration of the Business and Industry Program and the Section 
9006 Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements 
Program. In order to assure that these programs are meeting constituent 
needs, RBS is sponsoring a listening forum and soliciting written 
comments to encourage public participation in gathering feedback and 
comments and in making recommendations on program improvement. All 
comments are welcome.
    Those who wish to make oral presentations should restrict their 
presentation to 10 minutes and are encouraged to have written copies of 
their complete comments, including exhibits, for inclusion in the 
Agency record. Those who register their attendance at the meeting, but 
have not requested in advance to present oral testimony, will be given 
an opportunity to do so as time permits. Otherwise, the opportunity 
will be given to submit their views in writing either at or within 15 
days of the meeting. Participants who require a sign language 
interpreter or other special accommodations should contact Kenya 
Nicholas as directed above.

    Dated: February 8, 2007.
Jackie J. Gleason,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. E7-2618 Filed 2-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P