E7-16915. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 22, 2007.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments regarding (a) whether the 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 burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Business Service

Title: 7 CFR 4284-G, Rural Business Opportunity Grants.

OMB Control Number: 0570-0024.

Summary of Collection: The Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) program was authorized by section 741 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Public Law 104-127. 7 CFR 4284-G provides the detailed program regulations, as well as, including application procedures and reporting requirements for grant recipients. The objective of the 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.

Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is from grant applicants and grant recipients. Grantees should keep complete and accurate accounting records as evidence that the grant funds were used properly. The information is necessary for RBS 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.

Description of Respondents: Not for-profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 248.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping: Reporting: On occasion; Quarterly; Monthly.

Total Burden Hours: 17,054.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.