Building North Dakota

State Director Jasper Schneider

 

Greetings,

 

Friday will mark the 50th anniversary of the President Kennedy assassination tragedy. The Bismarck Tribune recently highlighted Kennedy's North Dakota visits and remarks that he shared. While President Kennedy is certainly well known for many famous quotes and speeches, I took great interest in his North Dakota remarks and his thoughts on rural.  

 

I have always admired President Kennedy for his ability to recognize the challenges of today, but maintain a spirit of optimism for tomorrow. This Thanksgiving, let's be thankful for our past leaders, appreciate the work that has been done, and look forward to the work left to do.

 

                                             - Jasper

  

From the Bismarck Tribune:

 

His final return to North Dakota was on the morning of Sept. 25, 1963. He arrived at the Air Force base in Grand Forks and was flown to the University of North Dakota Fieldhouse to speak to a crowd of just more than 10,000 people.

 

Kennedy's Grand Forks visit was part of a speech on conservation projects and the need to improve the quality of life for rural areas. It also appeared in that day's Tribune.

 

"We are gradually achieving a parity between urban and rural peoples in other aspects of life - in their ability to obtain electric service at comparable rates - in the power and other resources available for economic development - in their facilities and opportunities for recreation," Kennedy said.

 

He went on to call poverty an "unwelcome intruder" that had long plagued many rural areas. "Now we have the tools to eliminate it," Kennedy said.

 

Less than two months later he would be cut down by an assassin in Dallas, a North Dakotan among his Secret Service detail rushing to his aid.
 

  
North Dakota Needs a Farm Bill Now
  
By: Jasper Schneider, USDA Rural Development, and Aaron Krauter, USDA Farm Service Agency

 

Combine HarvestingThe success of agriculture has been synonymous with the prosperity of North Dakota. We've been blessed in recent years with high commodity prices, a booming energy industry and robust economy. Our farmers and ranchers have had the security of a strong Farm Bill which has contributed to agriculture as our top industry.

 

This fall, Congress has an important opportunity to create jobs and grow the economy by passing a long-term comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill. Read on through the Prairie Business Magazine.


USDA and BEK Communications partner on broadband project

  

Barnes County

  

BEK Communications Cooperative received $6 million in grants to bring broadband service to rural areas that currently do not have access.

  

BEK Communications will use the funds for two projects providing fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) technology. The Northern Rural Barnes County service area will be connected to BEK's existing network and bring high-speed broadband capabilities to customers who otherwise have no broadband or service below three megabits per second (Mbps). In addition, BEK will provide high-speed broadband to a rural and sparsely populated area in the southern portion of Barnes County that has suffered from out-migration. The fiber networks will introduce new capabilities, including voice and video, for educational, healthcare and public safety institutions.

 

Read the Associated Press article.

 

Learning About Cooperatives at NDSU  
 

Fargo

 

Four panelists gathered on the NDSU campus to discuss the positive impacts of cooperatives and related career opportunities. The event happened in October, which is also celebrated as national co-op month. Over 80 students attended and joined in the discussion. 

 

Panelists included Jasper Schneider with USDA, Cate Sprout with CHS, Eric Carlson with Co-Bank and Heidi Demaras with BisMan Community Food Co-op.  

  

 

UND Law School


Grand Forks

 

State Director Jasper Schneider recently was asked to speak to students on the University of North Dakota campus. The focus of the discussion was on how investments made by the federal government, through USDA specifically, spurs economic growth in North Dakota. Schneider highlighted the importance of public and private partnerships to move projects forward.  

 

  

Program Announcements

 

Accepting Applications: the Community Facilities Program is seeking applications for financing can make and guarantee loans to develop essential community facilities in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in population. Projects examples may include hospitals, health clinics, schools, fire houses, libraries, community centers and many other community based initiatives.

 

The Water and Environmental Program is also accepting applications for the new fiscal year. This program offers financing for drinking water, sanitary sewer, solid waste and storm drainage facilities in rural areas and cities and towns of 10,000 or less.  


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