[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 5499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2555]
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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.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's intention to
request an extension for a currently approved information collection in
support of the program for the Business and Industry Loan Program.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before April 6,
1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Bonnet, Senior Commercial Loan
Specialist, RBS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 3221, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3221, telephone (202) 720-
1804 or E-mail rbonnet@rurdev.usda.gov''. The Federal Information
Relay service on 1-800-887-8339 is available for TDD users.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Business and Industry Loan Program.
OMB Number: 0570-0014.
Expiration Date of Approval: September 1998.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information
collection and recordkeeping requirements.
Abstract: The B&I Program is authorized under Section 310-B of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended. The purpose of
the Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed and Direct Loan Programs is
to improve, develop, or finance businesses, industry and employment and
improve the economic and environmental climate in rural communities,
including pollution abatement and control. This purpose is achieved
through bolstering the existing private credit structure either through
the guaranteeing of quality loans made by lending institutions or
making direct loans, thereby providing lasting community benefits. B&I
program authority is composed of direct loan authority and loan
guarantee authority. The program is administered by the Agency through
a State Director serving the State.
All reporting and recordkeeping burden estimates for making and
servicing B&I Guaranteed Loans have been moved to the new B&I
Guaranteed Loan Program regulations which are at 7 CFR 4279-A and B and
4287-B. The only burden remaining associated with 7 CFR 1980-E is a
small portion of B&I Direct loanmaking. 7 CFR 1951-E is used for
servicing B&I Direct and Community Facility loans. The Agency is
currently developing new B&I Direct Loan Program regulations. When
completed, 7 CFR 1980-E will be eliminated from the CFR. Because only
the burden associated with 7 CFR 1980-E is included in this package,
only a fraction of the total reporting and recordkeeping burden for
making and servicing B&I Direct Loans is reflected.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of
information is estimated to average 2.75 hours per response.
Respondents: Rural businesses, for-profit businesses, non-profit
businesses, Indian tribes, and public bodies.
Estimated number of respondents: 200.
Estimated number of responses per respondent: 2.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,370 hours.
Copies of this information collection and recordkeeping can be
obtained from Jean Mosley, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch,
(202) 720-9750.
Comments: 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 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, minimize the burden of collection of information on those who
are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Jean Mosley,
Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Stop 0743, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20250-0743. 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.
Dayton J. Watkins,
Administrator, Rural Business--Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 98-2555 Filed 2-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-U
