2020-27775. Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY:

Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Proposed collection; Comments requested.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's (RHS) intention to request a revision of a currently approved information collection in support of the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) grant program.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by February 16, 2021 to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Pamela Bennett, Rural Development Innovation Center, Regulations Management Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0793, Room 4015 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-0793. Telephone: [phone]. Email: [e-mail].

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 RHS is submitting to OMB for approval. 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 http://www.regulations.gov and, in the lower “Search Regulations and Federal Actions” box, select “Rural Housing Service” from the agency drop-down menu, then click on “Submit.” In the Docket ID column, select RHS-20-CF-0028 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: Rural Community Development Initiative.

OMB Number: 0575-0180.

Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2021.

Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: RHS, an Agency within the USDA Rural Development mission area, will administer the RCDI grant program through their Community Facilities Division. The intent of the RCDI grant program is to develop the capacity and ability of rural area recipients to undertake projects through a program of technical assistance provided by qualified intermediary organizations. The eligible recipients are nonprofit organizations, low-income rural communities, or federally recognized Indian tribes. The intermediary may be a qualified private, nonprofit, or public (including tribal) organization. The intermediary is the applicant. The intermediary must have been organized a minimum of 3 years at the time of application. The intermediary will be required to provide matching funds, in the form of cash or committed funding, in an amount at least equal to the RCDI grant.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1.34 hours per response.

Respondents: Intermediaries and recipients.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 90.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 34.78.

Estimated Number of Responses: 3,130.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,194.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Pamela Bennett, Rural Development Innovation Center, Regulations Management Division, at [phone]. 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.

Elizabeth Green,

Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service.