[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 15, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68973-68974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-29115]


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

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.

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

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

[[Page 68974]]

responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request 
for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: October 31, 2000.
Judith A. Canales,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 00-29115 Filed 11-14-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P