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Building North Dakota
State Director Jasper Schneider
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Greetings!
One of the many great things about North Dakota is our energy potential. Helping America build a secure energy future is a priority at USDA Rural Development. Therefore, USDA launched a new energy website to serve as a one-stop shop for data about energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. In today's highly competitive business environment, it is important to improve and modernize access to these resources.
The redesign of the website will increase public awareness of energy research, commercialization of new technologies, program delivery, outreach, and education activities. A set of new web-based tools, including a Renewable Energy Investment Map and an Energy Matrix, focus on USDA's investments and projects, providing useful information to a broad spectrum of stakeholders. In addition, the site provides a link so you can find energy experts in USDA's state and local offices.
I hope you'll take a moment to visit the website at www.USDA.gov/energy.
Jasper Schneider
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SEEKING ENERGY APPLICATIONS
 | | USDA launches energy website to provide stakeholders fast and efficient access to resources. Visit website here. |
USDA Rural Development is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable projects. Financing is available through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). REAP provides grants and loans to farmers and businesses for energy conservation and production purposes. Program funding may be used to replace outdated equipment, obtain energy audits, conduct feasibility studies, acquire renewable energy systems and incorporate energy-saving practices into business operations. More information on how to apply for funding is available in the January 20, 2012 Federal Register, pages 2948 through 2954. | |
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JAMESTOWN
Precision Agriculture Action Summit | |
State Director Jasper Schneider recently had the opportunity to speak at the Precision Agriculture Action Summit held in Jamestown. The Summit was well attended providing information on precision farming, upcoming trends and technological applications, and offering information and demonstrations on resources designed to lower producer costs.
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LINTON, DEVILS LAKE & GRAFTON
North Dakota 2.0 |
The North Dakota 2.0 initiative began last October with a summit in Bismarck. Given the positive
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Meeting participants use instant response devices to answer questions. |
feedback, ND 2.0 is continuing by conducting a series of 12 North Dakota 2.0 interactive meetings. Thus far, meetings have been held in Linton, Devils Lake, and Grafton. The public is encouraged to participate and engage in the upcoming meetings as the intent is to receive feedback from a wide cross-section of individuals.
ND 2.0 is focused on bringing people together to discuss North Dakota's future and capitalize on the state's abundance of opportunities. For more information, please visit www.nd20.com.
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Jasper Schneider, USDA Rural Development state director, facilitates ND 2.0 meeting in Grafton. |
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PROGRAM UPDATES | |
Multi-Family Housing - Completed Projects
The following housing structures were built using Rural Development's Multi-Family Housing Loan (Section 515) program. Additional subsidies are provided to tenants through Rural Development's Rental Assistance program. These projects are providing much needed housing on the Turtle Mountain Reservation.
 Turtle Mountain Housing Authority has completed construction of the New Generation Apartments, a two-story, 24 unit apartment building in Belcourt, ND. The apartment complex was built using green technology, to include a high energy efficient building design, utilizing geothermal ground source pumps to heat and cool the facility and energy star appliances.
Recently constructed Turtle Creek Apartments in Belcourt, ND, built by Minot Vocational Adjustment Workshop, has received its Green Building Certification. This elite rating is for projects built with green practices to include: energy efficiency, water conservation, site design, resource conservation, indoor environmental quality and homeowner education.
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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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