[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 133 (Thursday, July 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44777-44778]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14829]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

[Docket No. RBS-23-BUSINESS-0009]


Notice of Request for Approval of a New Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service and 
Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the Rural Business-Cooperative 
Service, Rural Housing Service, and the Rural Utilities Service, 
agencies of the Rural Development mission area within the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA), hereinafter collectively referred to 
as the Agency to request approval for a new information collection in 
support of ascertaining the necessary budgetary criteria for planning 
and performing construction and other development work for facilities, 
housing and water and wastewater systems.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 11, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by the following method:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides the 
ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this 
web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for 
submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Gilbert, Rural Development 
Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. 
Telephone: (202) 690-2643. Email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members 
of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on 
information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that Rural 
Development is submitting to OMB for a new collection.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) The accuracy of the Agency'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 may be sent by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 
https://www.regulations.gov and, in the lower ``Search Regulations and 
Federal Actions'' box, select ``RBS'' from the agency drop-down menu, 
then click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select RBS-23-
BUSINESS-0009 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting 
and related materials available electronically. Information on using 
Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, 
submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the 
comment period, is available through the site's ``User Tips'' link.
    Title: 442--Common Forms Package for Rural Development Budget 
Forms.
    OMB Number: 0570-New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from approval date.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Abstract: The information collection under OMB Number 0570-New will 
enable the Agencies to effectively evaluate the financial criteria and 
responsibilities for funding to stimulate business creation and growth. 
The programs work through partnerships with public and private 
community-based organizations and financial institutions to provide 
financial assistance, business development, and technical assistance to 
rural businesses. These programs help to provide capital, equipment, 
space, job training, and entrepreneurial skills that can help to start 
and/or grow a business. Business Programs also support the creation and 
preservation of quality jobs in rural areas.
    The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended, 
authorizes the credit programs of the RHS, RBCS and RUS to provide 
financial assistance for essential community facilities such as 
construction of community facilities and water and waste systems; and 
the improvement, development, and financing of businesses, industries, 
and employment.
    The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is authorized under various 
sections of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, to provides 
financial assistance to construct, improve, alter, repair, replace, or 
rehabilitate dwellings, which will provide modest, decent, safe, and 
sanitary housing to eligible individuals in rural areas.
    Through various programs, Rural Development provides loan and grant 
funds to finance many types of projects varying in size and complexity. 
The Community Facilities program provides affordable funding to develop 
essential community facilities in rural areas. The Business and 
Industry (B&I) Loan Programs provide financial backing and technical 
assistance to stimulate business creation and growth. The programs work 
through partnerships with public and private community-based 
organizations and financial institutions to provide financial 
assistance, business development, and technical assistance to rural 
businesses. Under the B&I Loan Program, lenders need the legal 
authority, financial strength, and sufficient experience to operate a 
successful lending program. This includes lenders that are subject to 
supervision and credit examination by the applicable agency of the 
United States or a State.
    The collection of information covered by the forms allows Agencies 
to evaluate the budgets, incomes and equity from applicants for the 
planning and performing of construction and other development work.

[[Page 44778]]

    The information is usually submitted via hand delivery or U.S. 
Postal Service to the appropriate Agency office. Electronic submittal 
of information is also possible through email or USDA's Service Center 
eForms website.
    The Agencies would not be assured that the security provided for 
loans is adequate, nor would the Agencies be certain that decent, safe, 
and sanitary dwelling or other adequate structures were being provided 
to rural residents as required by the different acts.
    Estimate of Burden: RD is requesting approval for one respondent 
and a one-hour place holder in order for OMB to issue a control number 
for these forms. The burden for each of the forms will be accounted for 
within the individual Rural Development program collection packages 
using the form(s).
    Respondents: Individuals or private entities; businesses or other 
for profit; not-for profit; small businesses; Federal, state, local or 
tribal governments; institutions of higher education or other research 
organizations and others.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent per Form in package:

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                                                              Responses
                          Form No.                               per
                                                              respondent
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442-2, 442-3, 442-7, 442-22................................           1
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    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

Karama Neal,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-14829 Filed 7-12-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P