Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection, 51338 [2021-19919]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Rural Business-Cooperative Service
• Rural Housing Service
• Rural Utilities Service

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 15, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 51338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19919]


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                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 15, 2021 / 
Notices

[[Page 51338]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Rural Housing Service

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket No. RBS-21-BUSINESS-0029]


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS), Rural Housing 
Service (RHS), Rural Utilities Service (RUS), USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces RBCS, RHS, and RUS', agencies of the USDA Rural 
Development (RD) mission area, intention to request an extension to a 
currently approved information collection for the Strategic Economic 
and Community Development Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 15, 2021 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Gilbert, Regulations Management 
Division, Innovation Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 
[email protected], (202) 690-2682.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Strategic Economic and Community Development.
    OMB Number: 0570-0068.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 02/28/22.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: As authorized under the Agricultural Act of 2018 (2018 
Farm Bill), the Strategic Economic and Community Development program 
will make awards using reserved funding through RD's programs to fund 
projects that support the implementation of multijurisdictional and 
multisectoral strategic community investment plans. The programs for 
which reserved funds may be established and priority points awarded 
(which are referred to as the ``covered programs'') are:

 Community Facility Grants
 Community Facility Guaranteed Loans
 Community Facility Direct Loans
 Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants
 Water and Waste Disposal Guaranteed Loans
 Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans
 Rural Business Development Grants
 Community Connect Grant
 Rural Community Development Initiative Grant
 Tribal College Initiative Grants
 Intermediary Relending Program
 Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants
 Rural Housing Site Loans
 Housing Preservation Grants
 Farm Labor Housing Direct Loans and Grants
 Multi-Family Housing Loan Guarantees
 Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loans and Grants
 Rural Energy for America Program
 Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants
 Rural Energy Savings Program
 Value-Added Producer Grants
 Household Water Well System Grant Program
 Solid Waste Management Grant

    To be eligible, projects must first be eligible for funding under 
the covered programs. In addition, projects must be carried out in 
rural areas and support partial or full implementation of a multi-
jurisdictional and multi-sectoral strategic community investment plan.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 4.87 hours per response.
    Respondents: Rural businesses; units of State, Local and Tribal 
government; instrumentalities of a Local, State or Tribal government; 
special districts; councils of government; non-profit organizations; 
associations; academic institutions; public bodies and commercial 
lenders.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 275.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.70.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,290.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
RD, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) 
the accuracy of the RD's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden 
of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
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 https://www.regulations.gov and, in the ``Search'' box, type in the 
Docket No. 0570-0068. A link to the Notice will appear. You may submit 
a comment here by selecting the ``Comment'' button or you can access 
the ``Docket'' tab, select the ``Notice,'' and go to the ``Browse & 
Comment on Documents'' Tab. Here you may view comments that have been 
submitted as well as submit a comment. To submit a comment, select the 
``Comment'' button, complete the required information, and select the 
``Submit Comment'' button at the bottom. 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 ``FAQ'' link at the 
bottom. Comments on this information collection must be received by 
November 15, 2021.
    All comments received will be available for public inspection 
during regular business hours at the same address.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

Justin Maxon,
Deputy Under Secretary, Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 2021-19919 Filed 9-14-21; 8:45 am]
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