The Agency is making available Recovery Act funds for the B&I Guaranteed Loan Program. The collection of this information is necessary to obtain information on rural areas experiencing persistent poverty, outmigration, high unemployment, and under-served and under-represented groups and area hardest hit by the current economic crisis.
The Agency has determined that the most effective use of Recovery Act funds is to target them to encourage the creation or retention of quality jobs through the extension of business credit in those rural areas of greatest need, most difficult to reach, and among those hardest hit by the current economic crisis. Given the limited amount of time to obligate the associated funding, September 30, 2010, the Agency is requesting emergency approval so the Department can begin accepting applications and making 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.