[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 13, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9074-9075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-04523]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 7, 2019.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
are requested regarding (1) whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) 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 regarding this information collection received by April 
12, 2019 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: 
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office 
Building, 725--17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are 
encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: 
[email protected] or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental 
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-
7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-
8958.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such

[[Page 9075]]

persons are not required to respond to the collection of information 
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Business Cooperative Service

    Title: Intermediary Re-lending Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0021.
    Summary of Collection: The objective of the Intermediary Relending 
Program (IRP) is to improve community facilities and employment 
opportunities and increase economic activity in rural areas by 
financing business facilities and community development. This purpose 
is achieved through loans made by the Rural Business-Cooperative 
Service (RBS) to intermediaries that establish programs for the purpose 
of providing loans to ultimate recipients for business facilities and 
community development. The Community Economic Development Act of 1981 
(42 U.S.C. 9812(a), section 623(a)) provides for the Secretary the 
authority to make loans to nonprofit entities who will in turn provide 
financial assistance to rural businesses to improve business, industry 
and employment opportunities as well as provide a diversification of 
the economy in rural areas.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information requested is 
necessary for RBS to process applications in a responsible manner, make 
prudent credit and program decisions, and effectively monitor the 
intermediaries' activities to protect the Government's financial 
interest and ensure that funds obtained from the Government are used 
appropriately. Various forms are used to include information to 
identify the intermediary, describe the intermediary's experience and 
expertise, describe how the intermediary will operate its revolving 
loan fund, provide for debt instruments, loan agreements, and security, 
and other material necessary for prudent credit decisions and 
reasonable program monitoring.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number Of Respondents: 240.
    Frequency Of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 24,820.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: Agriculture Innovation Centers.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0045.
    Summary of Collection: The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-171, signed May 13, 2002) authorized the Secretary 
of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to award grant funds to 
Agriculture Innovation Centers (Centers). The Agricultural Act of 2014 
reauthorized the program through 2018. The Centers provide a 
demonstration program under which agricultural producers are to be 
provided with technical and business development assistance enabling 
them to establish businesses producing and marketing value-added 
products. This program is administered by Cooperative Programs within 
USDA's Rural Development.
    Need and Use of the Information: Information is collected by Rural 
Development State and Area office staff, as delegated, from applicants 
and grantees. Cooperative Programs uses the collected information to 
confirm that the applicant and use of funds meet the eligibility 
requirements for the program as well as to assess the quality of the 
proposed project. Grantees are required to submit financial status and 
performance reports to confirm that progress is being made toward 
achieving the stated goals of the project. A final report is submitted 
at the completion of the grant agreement. Centers may be non-profit 
corporations, for-profit corporations, institutions of higher learning, 
and consortia of the aforementioned entities.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit Institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 25.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Semi-annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 1053.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: Rural Business Development Grants.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0070.
    Summary of Collection: Agricultural Act of 2014, Public Law 113-79 
(2014 Farm Bill) (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)), authorizes the Rural Business 
Development Grant (RBDG) program to facilitate the development of small 
and emerging private businesses, industries, and related employment as 
well as identifying and analyzing business opportunities, establishing 
business support centers, and providing training, technical assistance, 
and planning for improving the economy in rural communities.
    Need and Use of the Information: The various forms and narrative 
requirements contained within this regulation are collected from 
applicants who are public bodies and private nonprofit organizations, 
and Indian Tribes. This information is for determining such factors as: 
(1) eligibility; (2) the specific purposes for which grant funds will 
be utilized; (3) timeframes or dates by which actions surrounding the 
use of funds will be accomplished; (4) who will be carrying out the 
purposes for which the grant is made; (5) project priority; (6) 
applicants' experience in administering a rural economic development 
program; (7) employment improvement; and (8) mitigation of economic 
distress of a community through the creation or salvation of jobs or 
emergency situations.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; State, 
local, and Tribal Governments.
    Number of Respondents: 920.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 60,161.

Kimble Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2019-04523 Filed 3-12-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P