USDA Rural Development - Committed to the future of rural communities
Building North Dakota
  

State Director Jasper Schneider

What is USDA Rural Development? I have been asked that question a lot in my two years at USDA. In many ways we are the best kept secret in the state, though if you are one of our close partners, you know our programs well.  

 

To define what we do is also to define what rural is. Congress has determined that most of our resources can go to communities under 20,000 in population. Yet, some of our programs can even apply in communities of up to 50,000 people; places you and I would not necessarily consider rural. In otherwords, we can be partners with communities of all shapes and sizes in most of North Dakota.

 

Our mission at USDA Rural Development is that we are 'committed to the future of rural communities.' In many ways, we are a large lender of infrastructure pojects. In the past year alone, we have financed over $900 million in North Dakota projects through direct loans, guaranteed loans and grants.  If you drive down the highway and see a telephone pole or a power line, we probably financed it. Similarly, many of the large water projects, rural housing, and community facilities are done through USDA RD. These partnerships are important resources to help our communities grow.

 

But to realize the full potential of our mission, we must be more than just a large lender. We have a wonderful team in North Dakota that is willing to work with individuals looking for a home, businesses looking for financing or communities seeking assistance with a large infrastructure project.

 

That is a long anwer to the 'what we do' question, but hopefully it helps put the rest of the newsletter into perspective.  On behalf of the 55 employees at USDA Rural Development, thanks for being our partner.

 

Jasper Sign

      Jasper Schneider

 

 

Buffalo Grocery Store
Buffalo, ND   
Groceries
FARGO FORUM PRAIRIE ROSES: To the people of Buffalo, N.D., and USDA Rural Development in North Dakota for securing a $70,000 federal grant to fund more renovations for the Cass County town's grocery store. Last spring, residents rallied to raise $50,000 to keep the store open, which was scheduled to close because the owner was not making a profit. The store is now operated by the community in a city-owned building. The rural development money will be used to help ensure Buffalo and rural neighbors have a well-stocked nearby store. "It's a great example of a community banding together to support a local business," said UDSA Rural Development Director Jasper Schneider. It's also a good application of federal dollars by Schneider's agency.

...read more about the Buffalo grocery store.

 Jamestown
JRMC Sign
USDA welcomes the new Jamestown hospital
   

Over 300 people recently gathered in Jamestown to welcome the new Jamestown Regional Medical Center. I was joined by Governor Dalrymple, former Congressman Earl Pomeroy and others in giving welcoming remarks. The new modern facility is equipped to meet the demands of new technology while providing a healing environment for patients.  

JRMC Ribbon-Cutting

 

Primary financing for the $52 million medical facility was provided through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities program and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. USDA Rural Development financed $46 million of the project through a $31 million direct loan and a $15 million guaranteed loan.  

 

The 25-bed, critical access facility will serve as a healthcare hub for over 55,000 people in a nine county area.  The hospital officially opened its' doors on Sunday, July 31st at 7:00 a.m. Read more.


Dickinson & Bowdon
Communties receive USDA financing

 

Recently two communities received financing through the Community Facilities program.  The City of Dickinson received a $20,600 Solid Waste Management Grant to implement a solid waste reduction and recycling program. Read More.  The City of Bowdon received $54,951 in grant funds and a $19,939 direct loan funds to make improvements to the Bowdon School complex. Read More.

 
Food and Agriculture Council
Local Foods
Produce at a local foods market. Photo courtesy of Sue Balcom.
Valley City State University
  
The North Dakota Food and Agriculture Council (FAC) met at the Student Center on the Valley City State University campus. The council is made up of federal, state and local agriculture entities with a focus on coordinating interagency activities.

 

The meeting covered several issues, but an emphasis was put on local food systems with presentations from Sue Balcom, FAARMS Marketing and Outreach Coordinator; Sharon Clancy, Valley City Farmers Market Manager; and Sue Buhr, Sanford Health Nutritionist. USDA has put in place the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF2) initiative to support local farmers, strengthen communities, promote healthy eating and protect natural resources.

 

In each state, the Food and Agriculture Council was established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The councils are utilized as a tool to gather feedback on procedural issues, receive recommendations on policies, and to keep informed on agriculture and rural development concerns.  If you would like to be notified of the next FAC meeting, please email [email protected]

 
Program Updates:

Housing: 

Housing Preservation Grants:  Applications are being accepted for grants to eligible applicants to help low- and very-low-income rural residents repair their homes. Housing Preservation Grants are provided to intermediaries and the grants are then distributed to qualified homeowners or owners of multi-family rental properties. The grants can be used to weatherize and repair existing structures, install or improve plumbing or provide access to people with disabilities. Applications are due on August 22, 2011. For more information, please contact our office at (701) 530-2037. 

 

Multi-Family Housing Revitalization Demonstration Program: Applications are being accepted to participate in a demonstration program to preserve and revitalize existing Multi-Family Housing projects financed by Rural Development. The goal of the program is to restructure selected loans for rental and farm-labor housing developments to guarantee the long-term quality of these rental housing units. Properties participating in this program will be revitalized, and the affordable use will be extended without displacing tenants because of increased rents. Applications for loans and grants are due August 22, 2011. For additional information, please see the Federal Register at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-07-07/pdf/2011-17107.pdf or contact our office at (701) 530-2037.

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