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NOTICE: NOTICES

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before December 29, 2003 to be assured of consideration.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 10413 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (the ``Fund''), within the Department of the Treasury, is soliciting comments concerning the Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program Application.

SUMMARY: Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Title: Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program Application

Abstract: The Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.) (the ``Act'') authorizes the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (the ``Fund'') of the U.S. Department of the Treasury to promote economic revitalization and community development through investment in and assistance to Fundcertified community development financial institutions (``CDFIs'') through the CDFI Program. In addition, the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 (Pub. L. 10773) authorizes the Fund to provide technical assistance grants to benefit Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities (hereafter referred to as ``Native American Communities'') by building the capacity of CDFIs that serve those communities (hereafter referred to as ``Native American CDFIs''). Further, the Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 (Pub. L. 1087) authorizes the Fund to provide financial assistance and technical assistance to benefit Native American Communities, with such benefit being provided primarily through qualified community development lender organizations with experience and expertise in community development banking and lending in Indian country, Native American organizations, Tribes and tribal organizations and other suitable providers.

Through the NACA Program, the Fund provides (i) FA and/or TA awards to Native American CDFIs and entities that can be certified as Native American CDFIs at time of award; and (ii) TA awards to entities that propose to become Native American CDFIs within two years and ``Sponsoring Entities'' (e.g., Native American organizations, Tribes, Tribal organizations) that propose to create separate legal entities [[Page 61717]]
that will become Native American CDFIs within two years.

Type of Review: New collection.

Affected Public: Notforprofit institutions; state, local or tribal government and tribal entities; and businesses or other for profit institutions.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 40.

Estimated Annual Time Per Respondent: 65 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,600 hours.

Request for Comments: Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Fund, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Fund's estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (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 respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) estimates of capital or startup costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.

Authority: Pub. L. 10773; Pub. L. 1087.

Dated: October 21, 2003.
Tony T. Brown,
Director, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. [FR Doc. 0327204 Filed 102803; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 481070P

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT A copy of the draft NACA Program Application or requests for additional information may be obtained by contacting: Margaret Nilson, Manager (Native American Initiative), Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 601 13th Street NW., Suite 200 South, Washington, DC 20005; or by phone to (202) 6228662.