USDA Seeks Feedback on Rural Co-op Forms: Standard Bureaucratic Check-In
Published Date: 5/23/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Agriculture is asking for public feedback on a paperwork update related to rural business agreements. This affects folks involved in rural development who might need to fill out forms, but the goal is to make the process easier and clearer. Comments are open until June 23, 2025, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Paperwork burden for rural applicants
The USDA is collecting information under the Rural Development Cooperative Agreement (RDCA) program (OMB Control Number 0570-0074). The collection lists 64 respondents and a total burden of 1,056 hours, with responses recorded annually. Comments on this collection are due June 23, 2025.
Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge funding
The notice describes the Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (RPIC), a competitive initiative under the RDCA program that provides planning support and technical assistance to rural communities. RPIC funds will help enhance broadband capacity, preserve cultural and historic structures, and support development of transportation, housing, and recreational spaces.
Priority for Distressed Areas and broadband planning
The scoring criteria for competitive RDCA solicitations (like RPIC) are targeted to applications that address Distressed Areas as defined by the Economic Innovation Group Distressed Communities Index (DCI) and that include Broadband Infrastructure Planning.
Incomplete information can block assistance
The agency states that failure to collect proper information from applicants could result in improper determinations of servicing assistance, hinder the government's recovery of loans, and encumber customer service for applicants under RDCA activities.
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Key Dates
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