[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68022-68023]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27097]


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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, Rural Business 
Opportunity Grant Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 13, 2014 to 
be considered.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Chad Parker, Deputy Administrator, 
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA, Room 4016-South, MS 3252, 
1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720-
7558, Email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Rural Business Opportunity Grants.
    OMB Number: 0570-0024.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2014.
    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 bodies, non-profit 
corporations, Indian Tribes on Federal or State reservations and other 
Federally-recognized tribal groups, and cooperatives whose members are 
primarily rural residents to pay costs of economic development planning 
and technical assistance for rural businesses. The regulations contain 
various requirements for information from 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 determine the eligibility 
and financial capability of the applicant, to determine the eligibility 
of the proposed use of funds, to assess the quality of the project for 
evaluation and grant selection, and to monitor grantees to ensure funds 
are used in accordance with approved scopes of work and applicable laws 
and regulations.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 7.4 hours per response.
    Respondents: Public bodies, non-profit corporations, Indian Tribes 
on Federal and State reservations and other Federally-recognized tribal 
groups, and cooperatives whose members are primarily rural residents.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 267.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 9.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 1971.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 17,842.25.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Jeanne 
Jacobs, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, (202) 692-0040.

[[Page 68023]]

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 on the paperwork burden may be sent to Jeanne 
Jacobs, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Rural Development, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Avenue 
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: September 26, 2013.
Lillian Salerno,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-27097 Filed 11-12-13; 8:45 am]
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