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Building North Dakota
State Director Jasper Schneider
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Greetings!
We recently sponsored a conference focusing on the future of North Dakota. The ND 2.0 conference was held in Bismarck and began the discussion about what type of a state we want to look like going forward. The day included a diverse mix of sponsors, attendees and program content. Rich Karlgaard, Publisher of Forbes Magazine, gave the luncheon keynote. Mr. Karlgaard's remarks focused on a macro view of the economy and predicted that we are on the dawn of a manufacturing boom. Diane Smith, Author of The New Rural, remarked how high-speed broadband Internet is changing the opportunities found in rural communities. The most interesting part of the day was the interactive session where the audience was able to give feedback. The data was recorded and is shared on the ND20.com website.
It's an exciting time to be a North Dakotan and the 2.0 conference allowed us to collectively share information and ideas. Given the overwhelmingly positive feedback, the sponsors of 2.0 will likely come together in some fashion to continue the discussion of planning our strategic path forward.
Thank you to all of you who attended the special day. For those who missed it or who are interested in attending a future session, please keep an eye on the ND20.com website.
Jasper Schneider
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Cooperatives: Example of successful economic development models
- By Jasper Schneider, Prairie Business Magazine
 Farmers and ranchers across the nation use co-ops to process and market their crops and livestock and to provide them with essential production supplies and services. Electric and telecommunications utility cooperatives supply rural America with a reliable, affordable source of energy and communications technology, including phone and Internet services.
In the Upper Great Plains, there are many successful models of economic development, and the most prominent, particularly in rural areas, are our Cooperatives. It is important that we focus on economic development and recognize that one of the most tried-and-true examples of success is the cooperative business model. Cooperatives are often one of the largest employers in our communities. They continue to grow, diversify, and invest in new technologies to ensure that rural citizens have the same amenities as our urban counterparts. Read Article. | |
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NORTH DAKOTA 2.0 | |
Summit focused on state's future
The first convening of the North Dakota 2.0 Summit had great attendance and participation. ND 2.0 offered a venue for people to learn about potential opportunities and contribute to the continued success of the state. Participants took part in a question and answer session and then borke out into groups to tackle several topics. 
The day's speakers included Rich Karlgaard, publisher of Forbes Magazine, and Diane Smith, author of "The New Rural." Statewide leaders from a variety of organizations helped facilitate and participated in the summit as well.
To learn more about the days events, please visit the web site at www.nd20.com.
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North Dakota 2.0 |
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NAPOLEON | |
Green Iron Equipment
 | | L to R: Barry Wentz, Green Iron store manager; John Kutz, Kem Electric CEO; Jasper Schneider, USDA RD State Director; Ross Waterman, Green Iron general manager. |
USDA Rural Development selected KEM Electric Cooperative, Inc. to receive a $450,000 loan through the Rural Economic Development Loan program. KEM Electric will use the financing to provide a loan to LaMoure Equipment, Inc. d/b/a Green Iron Equipment for the expansion of their dealership located in Napoleon.
The project added about 15,000 square feet to Green Iron's service shop. Due to an increase in machinery sales and service, the expansion was needed to provide adequate space for improved and timely service to the dealership's growing customer base. As a result of the expansion, Green Iron will add five new service technician jobs. Read news release.
 | | USDA Helps Grow Rural Economies. Click here to watch. |
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PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENTS
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USDA Rural Development provided financing for three North Dakota telephone utilities to build, expand and improve broadband in their rural service territories...read more.
Through the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP), Lake Agassiz Regional Development Corporation (LARDC) based in Fargo was selected to receive a $500,000 loan and a $105,000 grant to support rural business development, create jobs, and strengthen local communities...read more.
Through the Housing Preservation Grant program, The Red River Regional Council and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa were selected to receive $135,000 in grants to make critical repairs and improve housing conditions for low- and very-low-income rural residents...read more. |
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PROGRAM UPDATES | |
Business & Cooperative Programs
USDA Rural Development encourages rural public entities (towns, communities, State agencies, and authorities), Indian tribes and rural private non-profit corporations to apply for funding to assist small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. Small and emerging private businesses are those that will employ 50 or fewer new employees and have less than $1 million in projected gross revenues. The Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program is a broad based program that reaches to the core of rural development in many ways. Examples of eligible fund use include: acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; construction, conversion, renovation of buildings, plants, machinery, equipment, access streets and roads, parking areas, utilities; pollution control and abatement; capitalization of revolving loan funds including funds that will make loans for start ups and working capital; training and technical assistance; rural distance adult learning for job training and advancement; rural transportation improvement; and project planning. There is no maximum level of grant funding. However, smaller projects are given higher priority. Generally grants range from $10,000 up to $500,000. Each year, Congress provides program funding as called for in the Federal Budget. Fiscal Year funding levels will be made available as soon as possible after the beginning of each Fiscal Year. Applications may be filed anytime with USDA Rural Development. For more information contact our office at (701) 530-2037 or info@nd.usda.gov. |
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"USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender".
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave.,
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800)795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
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Copyright © 2011 USDA Rural Development. All Rights Reserved.
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