Rural Development agencies provide
grants, loans, and loan guarantee assistance to rural residents,
rural communities, and rural utility systems. The eligibility
criterion for each program differs widely. Information is used to
administer and monitor the programs against improper use of funds,
and/or unsound loans. The programs are a) the Water and Waste Loan
and Grant Program; b) the Rural Business Enterprise Grants and
Television Demonstration Grants Program; c) the Community
Facilities Grant Program; d) the Community Facilities Loans
Program, e) the Fire and Rescue Loans Program; f) the Direct
Single-Family Housing Loan and Grant Programs; and g) the Rural
Housing Loans Program.
Since enactment of the
Recovery Act, the Agencies researched, analyzed, and determined
certain incentives for generating quality grants, loans, and loan
guarantees in these critical rural areas. However, given the
limited amount of time available to obligate the associated
funding, September 30, 2010, we request approval of the information
collection by September 04, 2009, so that the Department can begin
accepting applications and making grants, loans and loan
guarantees.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.