2019-11983. Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice; comment requested.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's (RBS) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the Rural Cooperative Development Grants program.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by August 6, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Thomas P. Dickson, Rural Development Innovation Center—Regulatory Team 2, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, Room 4233, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: [phone]. Email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) regulation (5 CFR 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 RBS is submitting to OMB for extension.

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 any of the following methods:

• Mail: Thomas P. Dickson, Rural Development Innovation Center, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, Room 4233, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: [phone]. Email: [e-mail].
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Title: Rural Cooperative Development Grants.

OMB Number: 0570-0006.

Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2019.

Type of Request: Intent to extend the clearance for collection of information under RD Instruction 4284-F, Rural Cooperative Development Grants.

Abstract: The primary purpose of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) is to promote understanding, use, and development of the cooperative form of business as a viable option for enhancing the income of agricultural producers and other rural residents. The primary objective of the Rural Cooperative Development Grants program is to improve the economic condition of rural areas through cooperative development. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher education based on specific selection criteria.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 15 minutes to 96 hours per response.

Respondents: Nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher education.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 55.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 8.56.

Estimated Number of Responses: 471.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,264 hours.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Robin M. Jones, Innovation Center, at [phone], Email: [e-mail].

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.

Bette B. Brand,

Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.