Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY:

Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Proposed collection; comments requested.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's intention to request an extension of a currently approved information collection in support of the program for 7 CFR part 4284, subpart G.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by January 16, 2001 to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

M. Wayne Stansbery, Loan Specialist, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA, STOP 3225, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250, Telephone: (202) 720-6819.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Rural Business Opportunity Grants.

OMB Number: 0570-0024.

Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2001.

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 and private non-profit organizations and cooperatives to pay costs of economic development planning and technical assistance for rural businesses. The regulations contain various requirements for information from the 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 identify the applicant, describe the applicant's experience and expertise, describe the project and how the applicant will operate it, and other material necessary for prudent Agency decisions and reasonable program monitoring.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 5.71 hours per response.

Respondents: Non-profit corporations, public agencies, and cooperatives.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 100.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 8.66.

Estimated Number of Responses: 866.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 8,044 hours.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cheryl Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services Division 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 the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's estimate of the burden on the public 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 respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Cheryl Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, Washington, DC 20250. 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.