celebrating 150 years!

USDA Rural Development - Committed to the future of rural communities

Building North Dakota

State Director Jasper Schneider

A MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY VILSACK

This year USDA commemorates and celebrates the 150th anniversary of our founding in 1862, when President Abraham Lincoln signed into law an act of Congress establishing the United States Department of Agriculture.

Two and one-half years later, in what would be his final annual message to the Congress, Lincoln called USDA "The People's Department." At that time, about half of all Americans lived on farms, compared with about 2 percent today. But through our work on food, agriculture, economic development, science, natural resource conservation and a host of issues, USDA still fulfills Lincoln's vision - touching the lives of every American, every day.

Over the course of the year, I hope that Americans will acknowledge and join in our commemoration of 150 years of USDA. It is a great time to learn about our contributions to the strength and health of this nation, and to see how we can continue to partner with Americans working to provide a better life for their families.

Thanks for joining us in this celebration,

Secretary Vilsack

As USDA commemorates 150 years of accomplishments, the department is also looking to the future. In the years to come, we must help address the changing needs of agriculture and rural America. Click here to learn more about USDA and how it is celebrating 150 years!

BERTHOLD

Kids Academy daycare opens

USDA Rural Development partnered with Verendrye Electric Cooperative, Inc. to help Kids Academy in Berthold build a new child care center. With 3,672 square feet, the facility can accommodate up to 65 children and plans to be at full capacity this fall. The project will help alleviate the current demand for daycare services in the community. It will also help those working in the oil patch move their families to the area. Watch coverage of the project.

FARGO

2012 Renewable Materials Summit: Markets for Building the Biorefinery

Growing demand and advancing technology in the Renewable Materials industry has created exciting opportunities for businesses to grow across the Upper Midwest and Canada, from agriculture and forest products through manufacturing and retail.
The Renewable Materials Summit highlighted and explored the companies and markets that are driving opportunities for returns on investment that leverage the emerging bioeconomy.

State Director Jasper Schneider participated on a panel: "Financing for Research and Companies" with Bruce Gjovig, EB-5 Regional Center Manager & Director of the Center for Innovation (UND), and David Kolsrud, The Funding Farm. To learn more about USDA's programs, visit the energy website.

BISMARCK

Vision West

USDA Rural Development hosted a meeting to learn more about the Vision West initiative. The project, which is funded by grants, is proposing a 6-initiative approach to addressing the growth challenges in western North Dakota.

Brian Cole with Building Communities Inc. gave the presentation. He is the lead planning partner on Vision West ND. Click here to learn more.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ND hospitals receive grants to improve rural health care

Garrison Memorial Hospital and Altru Health System will receive grants to expand health care services in rural communities.The grant funding was provided through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program. Read more.

USDA and KEM Electric help local dealership expand

USDA Rural Development selected KEM Electric Cooperative, Inc. to receive a $740,000 loan through the Rural Economic Development Loan program. KEM Electric will use this financing to provide a loan to Green Iron Equipment to construct a new building for their farm equipment dealership in Ashley. Read more.

Results of the Community Facilities Program (2009 - 2011)

USDA Rural Development released a report highlighting the ways in which infrastructure investments in rural communities help create jobs and boost economic development.

PROGRAM UPDATES

Recently, several Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) have been posted in the Federal Register on USDA programs. A few announcements are highlighted below.

Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG):

The RCDG program is accepting applications for funding. The grants are made for establishing and operating centers for cooperative development for the primary purpose of improving the economic condition of rural areas. For more information, view the NOFA or visit the webpage.

Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG):

The RBOG program is accepting applications to promote sustainable economic development in rural communities and regions. The grants provide training and technical assistance for business development, entrepreneurs, and economic development officials and assists with economic development planning. Funding is available to rural public bodies, nonprofit corporations, Native American tribes and cooperatives. For more information, visit the webpage or contact the USDA office in Bismarck at (701) 530-2037, info@nd.usda.gov.

Public Television Station Digital Transition Grant:

This grant program assists television stations serving substantial rural populations in transitioning to digital broadcast television transmission. Funds may be used to acquire and install facilities and software necessary for the transition. Grant funds may also be used for associated engineering and environmental studies. For more information, view the NOFA or visit the webpage.

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