83 FR 1013 - Guarantee Fee Rates for Guaranteed Loans for Fiscal Year 2018; Maximum Portion of Guarantee Authority Available for Fiscal Year 2018; Annual Renewal Fee for Fiscal Year 2018

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 6 (January 9, 2018)

Page Range		1013-1014
FR Document		2018-00209

This notice helps to improve applicants' awareness of the Guarantee Fee rates for Guaranteed Loans for fiscal year (FY) 2018, Maximum Portion of Guarantee Authority Available for FY 2018, Annual Renewal Fee for FY 2018 when applying for guaranteed loans under the Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program. The Agency has the authority to charge a guarantee fee and an annual renewal fee for loans made under the B&I Guaranteed Loan Program. Pursuant to that authority, and subject to the current Continuing Resolution, the Agency is establishing an initial guarantee fee rate of 3 percent and an annual renewal fee rate of one-half of 1 percent for the B&I Guaranteed Loan Program. The initial guarantee fee is paid at the time the Loan Note Guarantee is issued. The annual renewal fee is paid by the lender to the Agency once a year. Payment of the annual renewal fee is required in order to maintain the enforceability of the guarantee.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 6 (Tuesday, January 9, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 9, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1013-1014]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00209]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Guarantee Fee Rates for Guaranteed Loans for Fiscal Year 2018; 
Maximum Portion of Guarantee Authority Available for Fiscal Year 2018; 
Annual Renewal Fee for Fiscal Year 2018

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice helps to improve applicants' awareness of the 
Guarantee Fee rates for Guaranteed Loans for fiscal year (FY) 2018, 
Maximum Portion of Guarantee Authority Available for FY 2018, Annual 
Renewal Fee for FY 2018 when applying for guaranteed loans under the 
Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program.
    The Agency has the authority to charge a guarantee fee and an 
annual renewal fee for loans made under the B&I Guaranteed Loan 
Program. Pursuant to that authority, and subject to the current 
Continuing Resolution, the Agency is establishing an initial guarantee 
fee rate of 3 percent and an annual renewal fee rate of one-half of 1 
percent for the B&I Guaranteed Loan Program.
    The initial guarantee fee is paid at the time the Loan Note 
Guarantee is issued. The annual renewal fee is paid by the lender to 
the Agency once a year. Payment of the annual renewal fee is required 
in order to maintain the enforceability of the guarantee.

DATES: Applicability date: January 9, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tanner Hinkel, USDA, Rural 
Development, Business Programs, Business and Industry Division, STOP 
3224, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3224, telephone 
(202) 720-1970, email [email protected] Ginger Allen, USDA, 
Rural Development, Business Programs, Business and Industry Division, 
STOP 3224, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3224, 
telephone (202)-690-0309, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As set forth in 7 CFR 4279.120, the Agency 
has the authority to charge an initial guarantee fee and an annual 
renewal fee for loans made under the B&I Guaranteed Loan Program. 
Pursuant to that authority, and subject to the current continuing 
resolution, the Agency is establishing an initial guarantee fee rate of 
3 percent and an annual renewal fee rate of one-half of 1 percent for 
the B&I Guaranteed Loan Program. Unless precluded by a subsequent FY 
2018 appropriation, these rates will apply to all loans obligated in FY 
2018 that are made under the B&I Guaranteed Loan Program. As 
established in 7 CFR 4279.120(b)(1), the amount of the annual fee on 
each guaranteed loan will be determined by multiplying the annual fee 
rate by the outstanding principal loan balance as of December 31, 
multiplied by the percentage of guarantee.
    As set forth in 7 CFR 4279.120(a) and 4279.119(b), each fiscal 
year, the Agency shall establish a limit on the maximum portion of B&I 
guarantee authority available for that fiscal year that may be used to 
guarantee loans with a reduced guarantee fee or guaranteed loans with 
an increased percentage of guarantee. The Agency has established that 
not more than 12 percent of the Agency's apportioned B&I guarantee 
authority will be reserved for loan guarantee requests with a reduced 
fee, and not more than 15 percent of the Agency's apportioned B&I 
guarantee authority will be reserved for guaranteed loan requests with 
an increased percentage of guarantee. Once the respective limits are 
reached, all

[[Page 1014]]

additional loans will be at the standard fee and guarantee limits.
    Allowing a reduced guarantee fee or increased percentage of 
guarantee on certain B&I guaranteed loans that meet the conditions set 
forth in 7 CFR 4279.120 and 4279.119 will increase the Agency's ability 
to focus guarantee assistance on projects that the Agency has found 
particularly meritorious. Subject to annual limits set by the Agency in 
this notice, the Agency may charge a reduced guarantee fee if requested 
by the lender for loans of $5 million or less when the borrower's 
business supports value-added agriculture and results in farmers 
benefitting financially, promotes access to healthy foods, or is a high 
impact business development investment located in a rural community 
that is experiencing long-term population decline; has remained in 
poverty for the last 30 years; is experiencing trauma as a result of 
natural disaster; is located in a city or county with an unemployment 
rate 125 percent of the statewide rate or greater; or is located within 
the boundaries of a federally recognized Indian tribe's reservation or 
within tribal trust lands or within land owned by an Alaska Native 
Regional or Village Corporation as defined by the Alaska Native Claims 
Settlement Act. Subject to annual limits set by the Agency in this 
notice, the Agency may allow increased percentages of guarantee for 
high-priority projects or loans where the lender needs the increased 
percentage of guarantee due to its legal or regulatory lending limit.

Non-Discrimination Statement

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its 
Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or 
administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on 
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including 
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 
status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 
deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible 
Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or 
contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. 
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages 
other than English.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA 
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or 
write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the 
information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint 
form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA 
by:
    (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington DC 
20250-9410;
    (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
    (3) Email: [email protected].
    This action has been reviewed and determined not to be a rule or 
regulation as defined in Executive Order 12866.

    Dated: January 2, 2018.
Mark M. Brodziski,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-00209 Filed 1-8-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P

1013

Notices Federal Register
Vol. 83, No. 6

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER certain types of surveys and related required in order to maintain the
contains documents other than rules or collection of information. USAID uses enforceability of the guarantee.
proposed rules that are applicable to the the approval to cover the instruments of DATES: Applicability date: January 9,
public. Notices of hearings and investigations, collection (such as a survey, a window
committee meetings, agency decisions and
2018.
pop-up survey, a focus group, or a
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
petitions and applications and agency
comment card), which are designed to
get customer feedback on USAID service Tanner Hinkel, USDA, Rural
statements of organization and functions are Development, Business Programs,
examples of documents appearing in this delivery for various programs.
Annual Reporting Burden: Business and Industry Division, STOP
section.
Respondents per request: 1. 3224, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Total annual responses: 10,000. Washington, DC 20250–3224, telephone
AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL Total annual hours requested: 10,000. (202) 720–1970, email tanner.hinkel@
DEVELOPMENT wdc.usda.gov.or Ginger Allen, USDA,
Dated: December 22, 2017.
Rural Development, Business Programs,
Lynn P. Winston, Business and Industry Division, STOP
Notice of Public Information Collection
Chief, Information and Records Division, 3224, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Requirements Submitted to OMB for FOIA Public Liaison, Agency Records Officer,
Review Washington, DC 20250–3224, telephone
U.S. Agency for International Development,
Bureau for Management, Office of
(202)-690–0309, email ginger.allen@
SUMMARY: U.S. Agency for International wdc.usda.gov.
Management Services, Information and
Development (USAID) has submitted Records Division.
the following information collection to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As set
OMB for review and clearance under the
[FR Doc. 2017–28304 Filed 1–8–18; 8:45 am] forth in 7 CFR 4279.120, the Agency has
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. BILLING CODE 6116–01–M the authority to charge an initial
guarantee fee and an annual renewal fee
DATES: Comments regarding this
for loans made under the B&I
information collection are best assured Guaranteed Loan Program. Pursuant to
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
of having their full effect if received that authority, and subject to the current
within 30 days of this notification. Rural Business-Cooperative Service continuing resolution, the Agency is
ADDRESSES: Comments should be establishing an initial guarantee fee rate
addressed to: Desk Officer for USAID, Guarantee Fee Rates for Guaranteed of 3 percent and an annual renewal fee
Office of Information and Regulatory Loans for Fiscal Year 2018; Maximum rate of one-half of 1 percent for the B&I
Affairs, Office of Management and Portion of Guarantee Authority Guaranteed Loan Program. Unless
Budget (OMB), 725 17th Street NW, Available for Fiscal Year 2018; Annual precluded by a subsequent FY 2018
Washington, DC 20503 or email address: Renewal Fee for Fiscal Year 2018 appropriation, these rates will apply to
OIRA Submission@OMB.eop.gov. AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative all loans obligated in FY 2018 that are
Copies of submission may be obtained Service, USDA. made under the B&I Guaranteed Loan
by calling (202) 712–5007. Program. As established in 7 CFR
ACTION: Notice.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 4279.120(b)(1), the amount of the
OMB Number: OMB 0412–XXXX. SUMMARY: This notice helps to improve annual fee on each guaranteed loan will
Title: Fast Track Generic Clearance for applicants’ awareness of the Guarantee be determined by multiplying the
the Collection of Qualitative Feedback. Fee rates for Guaranteed Loans for fiscal annual fee rate by the outstanding
Type: Renewal. year (FY) 2018, Maximum Portion of principal loan balance as of December
Purpose: The purpose of the Guarantee Authority Available for FY 31, multiplied by the percentage of
collection is to enable the U.S. Agency 2018, Annual Renewal Fee for FY 2018 guarantee.
for International Development and as when applying for guaranteed loans As set forth in 7 CFR 4279.120(a) and
part of a Federal Government-wide under the Business and Industry (B&I) 4279.119(b), each fiscal year, the
effort to streamline the process to seek Guaranteed Loan Program. Agency shall establish a limit on the
feedback from the public on service The Agency has the authority to maximum portion of B&I guarantee
delivery, we are seeking Comment on charge a guarantee fee and an annual authority available for that fiscal year
the development of the following renewal fee for loans made under the that may be used to guarantee loans
proposed Generic Information B&I Guaranteed Loan Program. Pursuant with a reduced guarantee fee or
Collection Request (Generic ICR): ‘‘Fast to that authority, and subject to the guaranteed loans with an increased
Track Generic Clearance for the current Continuing Resolution, the percentage of guarantee. The Agency
Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency is establishing an initial has established that not more than 12
Agency Service Delivery’’ for approval guarantee fee rate of 3 percent and an percent of the Agency’s apportioned B&I
under the Paperwork Reduction Act guarantee authority will be reserved for
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

annual renewal fee rate of one-half of 1
(PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et. seq.). This percent for the B&I Guaranteed Loan loan guarantee requests with a reduced
notice announces our intent to submit Program. fee, and not more than 15 percent of the
this collection to OMB for approval and The initial guarantee fee is paid at the Agency’s apportioned B&I guarantee
solicits comments on specific aspects time the Loan Note Guarantee is issued. authority will be reserved for
for the proposed information collection: The annual renewal fee is paid by the guaranteed loan requests with an
This option is a fast track for approval lender to the Agency once a year. increased percentage of guarantee. Once
to streamline the timing to implement Payment of the annual renewal fee is the respective limits are reached, all

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1014 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 9, 2018 / Notices

additional loans will be at the standard Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and 503–8175 and conference call 4357132.
fee and guarantee limits. TTY) or contact USDA through the Please be advised that before placing
Allowing a reduced guarantee fee or Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339. them into the conference call, the
increased percentage of guarantee on Additionally, program information may conference call operator will ask callers
certain B&I guaranteed loans that meet be made available in languages other to provide their names, their
the conditions set forth in 7 CFR than English. organizational affiliations (if any), and
4279.120 and 4279.119 will increase the To file a program discrimination email addresses (so that callers may be
Agency’s ability to focus guarantee complaint, complete the USDA Program notified of future meetings). Callers can
assistance on projects that the Agency Discrimination Complaint Form, AD– expect to incur charges for calls they
has found particularly meritorious. 3027, found online at http:// initiate over wireless lines, and the
Subject to annual limits set by the www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_ Commission will not refund any
Agency in this notice, the Agency may cust.html and at any USDA office or incurred charges. Callers will incur no
charge a reduced guarantee fee if write a letter addressed to USDA and
requested by the lender for loans of $5 charge for calls they initiate over land-
provide in the letter all of the line connections to the toll-free
million or less when the borrower’s information requested in the form. To
business supports value-added conference call-in number.
request a copy of the complaint form,
agriculture and results in farmers call (866) 632–9992. Submit your Persons with hearing impairments
benefitting financially, promotes access completed form or letter to USDA by: may also follow the discussion by first
to healthy foods, or is a high impact (1) Mail: U.S. Department of calling the Federal Relay Service at 1–
business development investment Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 800–877–8339 and providing the
located in a rural community that is Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 operator with the toll-free conference
experiencing long-term population Independence Avenue SW, Washington call-in number: 1–888–503–8175 and
decline; has remained in poverty for the DC 20250–9410; conference call 4357132.
last 30 years; is experiencing trauma as (2) Fax: (202) 690–7442; or Members of the public are invited to
a result of natural disaster; is located in (3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
a city or county with an unemployment make statements during the open
This action has been reviewed and
rate 125 percent of the statewide rate or determined not to be a rule or regulation comment period of the meeting or
greater; or is located within the as defined in Executive Order 12866. submit written comments. The
boundaries of a federally recognized comments must be received in the
Dated: January 2, 2018. regional office approximately 30 days
Indian tribe’s reservation or within
Mark M. Brodziski, after each scheduled meeting. Written
tribal trust lands or within land owned
by an Alaska Native Regional or Village Acting Administrator, Rural Business- comments may be mailed to the Rocky
Cooperative Service. Mountain Regional Office, U.S.
Corporation as defined by the Alaska
[FR Doc. 2018–00209 Filed 1–8–18; 8:45 am] Commission on Civil Rights, 1961 Stout
Native Claims Settlement Act. Subject to
annual limits set by the Agency in this BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P Street, Suite 13–201, Denver, CO 80294,
notice, the Agency may allow increased faxed to (303) 866–1040, or emailed to
percentages of guarantee for high- Evelyn Bohor at ebohor@usccr.gov.
priority projects or loans where the COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Persons who desire additional
lender needs the increased percentage of information may contact the Rocky
guarantee due to its legal or regulatory Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting Mountain Regional Office at (303) 866–
lending limit. of the Colorado Advisory Committee
1040.
Non-Discrimination Statement AGENCY: Commission on Civil Rights. Records and documents discussed
In accordance with Federal civil ACTION: Announcement of meetings. during the meeting will be available for
rights law and U.S. Department of public viewing as they become available
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given,
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights at https://www.facadatabase.gov/
pursuant to the provisions of the rules
regulations and policies, the USDA, its committee/meetings.aspx?cid=238; click
and regulations of the U.S. Commission
Agencies, offices, and employees, and the ‘‘Meeting Details’’ and ‘‘Documents’’
on Civil Rights (Commission), and the
institutions participating in or links. Records generated from this
Federal Advisory Committee Act
administering USDA programs are meeting may also be inspected and
(FACA), that a planning meeting of the
prohibited from discriminating based on Colorado Advisory Committee to the reproduced at the Rocky Mountain
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, Commission will by teleconference at Regional Office, as they become
gender identity (including gender 4:00 p.m. (MST) on Thursday, January available, both before and after the
expression), sexual orientation, 25, 2018. The purpose of the meeting is meeting. Persons interested in the work
disability, age, marital status, family/ to review and discuss and vote on a of this advisory committee are advised
parental status, income derived from a draft of the No Aid Report. to go to the Commission’s website,
public assistance program, political www.usccr.gov, or to contact the Rocky
DATES: Thursday, January 25, 2018, at
beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior Mountain Regional Office at the above
4:00 p.m. MST.
civil rights activity, in any program or phone numbers, email or street address.
ADDRESSES: Public call-in information:
activity conducted or funded by USDA
(not all bases apply to all programs). Conference call-in number: 1–888–503– Agenda
8175 and conference call 4357132.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

Remedies and complaint filing Thursday, January 25, 2018, 4:00 (MST)
deadlines vary by program or incident. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Persons with disabilities who require Evelyn Bohor, at ebohor@usccr.gov or • Rollcall and Welcome
alternative means of communication for by phone at 303–866–1040.
• Review, Discuss and Vote on No
program information (e.g., Braille, large SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested Aid Report
print, audiotape, American Sign members of the public may listen to the
Language, etc.) should contact the discussion by calling the following toll- • Open Comment
responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET free conference call-in number: 1–888– • Adjourn

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Document Created: 2018-01-09 02:18:54
Document Modified: 2018-01-09 02:18:54

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Applicability date: January 9, 2018.
Contact		Tanner Hinkel, USDA, Rural Development, Business Programs, Business and Industry Division, STOP 3224, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3224, telephone (202) 720-1970, email [email protected] Ginger Allen, USDA, Rural Development, Business Programs, Business and Industry Division, STOP 3224, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3224, telephone (202)-690-0309, email [email protected]
FR Citation		83 FR 1013

83 FR 1013 - Guarantee Fee Rates for Guaranteed Loans for Fiscal Year 2018; Maximum Portion of Guarantee Authority Available for Fiscal Year 2018; Annual Renewal Fee for Fiscal Year 2018

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURERural Business-Cooperative Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 6 (January 9, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service