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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 (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 May 11, 2010 to be assured of consideration.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tracey Kennedy, Program Leader, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 3250, Room 4016, South Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3250, Telephone (202) 690-1428.

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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Rural Cooperative Development Grants.

OMB Number: 0570-0006.

Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2010.

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 Start Printed Page 11835enhancing 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 31 hours per grant application.

Respondents: Nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher education.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 75.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Number of Responses: 75.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 8,905 hours.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Linda Watts Thomas, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-0226.

Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of RBS functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of RBS' 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 to Jeanne Jacobs, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Stop 0742, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250. 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.

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