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Building North Dakota
State Director Jasper Schneider |
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During my four years at USDA, I've had the pleasure of working with communities of all sizes across North Dakota. While we strive to work with as many communities as possible to provide technical assistance and financing, the reality is that many of our programs are competitive. What this means is that communities, organizations and businesses are often competing against each other for limited federal funding. The applicants are scored on a number of criteria depending on the program and, as State Director, I have discretionary points to add to the total scoring. While most of the media coverage focuses on the successful projects, there are many more that don't get funded and we encourage them to apply again.
In making a determination of discretionary points, one of my guiding principles is: to help communities that want to help themselves. A good example of this is the Lisbon project spotlighted in this newsletter. While our office had a number of projects that scored and competed well, the Lisbon project stood out because of the overwhelming community support in the form of local fundraising and numerous letters of support from people of all ages. This local "skin in the game" not only makes for a rewarding project, but also is an important indicator on the vitality of the community.
Local support and leadership can come in many forms. Often times, even just a small group of people with a positive and a forward thinking vibe can change the direction of an entire community. It's happening in many communities across our great state and it's fun to see it in action.
- Jasper Schneider |
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 Community Rallies to Save Historic Theater
The Scenic Theater in Lisbon, like many small-town theaters, was struggling with the high cost to convert from a film to a digital format as Hollywood studios demanded. Established in 1911, the theater was being forced to go dark for the first time in over 100 years.
That is when a group of seven local residents organized the Save Our Scenic (S.O.S.) campaign in April. In three months, they raised over $74,000. Receiving over 30 letters of support, USDA Rural Development helped the campaign reach its fundraising goal by awarding the City of Lisbon a $47,500 grant. Read blog; listen to Prairie Public Radio story. |
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Aneta
 The Aneta Parkview Health Center, a 24-hour skilled care and rehab nursing facility, is undergoing a major expansion and remodel. USDA Rural Development is the main source of financing with a $2 million loan through the Community Facilities program.
The expansion will include more private rooms and an additional dining area for the Specialized Care Unit. Other updates will be made to the bath suite, activity room, and all existing patients rooms. Currently, the health center employs 54 and is expecting to add two more full-time employees after construction is complete next year.
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At a groundbreaking ceremony, State Director Schneider congratulates all those who helped make the health center project possible. |
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USDA and McLean Electric Partner on Hospital Project
Garrison Memorial Hospital
 McLean Electric Cooperative received a $300,000 USDA grant to help Garrison Memorial Hospital update their emergency room to better serve the region's urgent care needs. The funding was provided through the Rural Economic Development Program. The program offers zero-interest loans and grants to local utility companies which then, in turn, re-lend the funds to local businesses for projects.
The picture on the right includes: Tod Graeber, Hospital Administrator; and Marty Dahl, General Manager at McLean Electric; and Jasper Schneider, USDA Rural Development State Director. | |
Value Added Producer Grant Seeking Applications
 Program Summary: Value-added processing and marketing helps farmers and ranchers receive a higher portion of the retail dollar. Value-Added Producer Grants support planning activities, such as developing a business plan, as well as working capital. Specific funds are available for projects that focus on local and regional supply networks or support beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and small or medium-sized farms or ranches.
Project Example: Opening in September 2013, the Bowdon Meat Processing Plant is a farmer-rancher owned cooperative with over 70 members. The plant recently received a $49,500 Value Added Producer Grant to help with operation and to market the value-added meat products.
The plant provides a facility for producers to locally process their livestock and to also sell their products to customers for retail re-sale across the state of North Dakota. Each year the plant will be able to process 1,000 cattle, bison, hogs, sheep and deer. This project also is important to economic development in the community as it will create four new jobs in Bowdon.
Get more information: For more program information, please call the North Dakota office at (701) 530-2037 or visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_VAPG.html | |
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Program Announcements
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Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants: five rural utilities will receive $2.6 million in loans or grants to support job creation efforts, business development and strengthen economic growth in rural communities. Funding will go to projects in LaMoure, Kenmare, Garrison, Walhalla and Velva.
SRT Communications, Inc. in Minot: $16.2 million broadband loan to expand and improve broadband services in north central North Dakota. SRT is the largest telephone cooperative in the state, serving 26 exchanges and almost 50,000 people in the Drift Prairie region.
Rural Business Opportunity Grants:
- Center for Technology & Business: $25,000 grant to offer training on modern business and technology tools for growing a successful enterprises.
- Entrepreneurial Center for Horticulture (ECH) at Dakota College at Bottineau: $100,000 grant for local foods development. The funding will help small to mid-size producers sell their locally grown vegetables. This support will focus on marketing, business strategies, and production.
- Foundation for Agricultural and Rural Resource Management and Sustainability (FARRMS): $89,000 grant for a feasibility study and to provide producers with business development resources. A portion of the grant will help identify the economic viability of light processing, wash and pack, and grading facilities for fruits and vegetables in North Dakota. The funding will also help implement a Farm Beginning program, an eight session business course.
- City of Richardton: $92,000 grant to implement the city's Housing, Zoning, Planning, and Economic Development Initiative. The initiative is a step-by-step process to prepare for the present and future impacts of oil development as well as planning for the long-term impacts after the energy development ceases.
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To file a complaint of discrimination, write to: USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410 Or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). "USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer." |
Copyright © 2011 USDA Rural Development. All Rights Reserved.
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