Building North Dakota

State Director Jasper Schneider

Greetings,

It is my honor to inform you that as of October 1st, Jasper Schneider was named Acting Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). With a $60 billion portfolio, RUS is a USDA agency charged with providing public utilities such as electricity, telephone, broadband and water systems.

We are proud that Jasper's efforts and leadership in North Dakota have been recognized at the national level. Our state will benefit by having someone local tapped to make decisions on public utility infrastructure programs and policy.

From Washington, D.C., Jasper will serve as Acting Administrator until a permanent selection is made by the White House. In the interim, I will be the Acting State Director for North Dakota. I look forward to continuing to work with our partners and building upon those relationships.

- Bill Davis

Schneider Named Acting Administrator for the Rural Utilities Service

Jasper Schneider has been named the Acting Administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS).

Schneider served as State Director of USDA Rural Development for the past five years. In that capacity, he administered $3 billion of investments during a time of historic growth in North Dakota. Substantial resources were deployed for essential community facilities, affordable housing, business development and utility services. Schneider also led the statewide strategic planning initiative, ND 2.0, and implemented USDA's nationwide Community Economic Development effort. KFGO story.

Golden Spike to Complete Rail Loop

Pictured from left, Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp. CEO Connie Ova, Mayor Katie Andersen and Stutsman County Commissioner Mark Klose

Spiritwood

A golden spike ceremony was held to drive in the last of about 180,000 spikes on the Spiritwood Energy Park Association (SEPA) rail loop.

The overall project cost about $10 million and will provide rail access to the Dakota Spirit AgEnergy ethanol plant and future businesses that might locate on the SEPA property.

Through the Rural Economic Development Loan program, USDA Rural Development partnered with Northern Plains Electric Cooperative to provide a $740,000 no interest loan for the rail loop project. Read the Jamestown Sun story.

"Made in Rural America" Report

North Dakota

As part of the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) commitment to strengthening rural economies, Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new state-by-state "Made in Rural America" report illustrating the impact of USDA investments in rural communities. Each state factsheet highlights specific USDA investments in rural businesses, manufacturing, energy, water and other infrastructure development. They also outline how USDA is helping rural communities attract businesses and families by investing in housing and broadband. View North Dakota's factsheet.

National Cooperative Month

October was recognized as Cooperative Month nationwide. This year's theme was "The Co-op Connection," an apt reference to the virtually unlimited number of ways in which co-ops connect their members to marketplaces and services they might otherwise be unable to access. America is home to more than 30,000 cooperatives, including farmer, rural utility, credit/financial services, food stores, housing and many other types of cooperatives.

A group met to recognize co-op month by signing the North Dakota Governor's Proclamation. In the photo, front row, from left: Jeanette hoff, ND Assoc. of Telecom Co-ops; Governor Jack Dalrymple; Mark Watne, ND Farmers Union; and back row, from left: Jasper Schneider, USDA Rural Utilities Service; Scott Jaeger, Land O'Lakes; Micheal O'Keefe, Farm Credit Services; and Harlan Fuglesten, ND Assoc. of Rural Electric Co-ops.

Essential Infrastructure

Broadband and Water Investments

Broadband:USDA announced $4.5 million in grants to advance and improve broadband services in rural North Dakota. Bek Communications Co-op and Daktel Communications both received funding to bring broadband services to unserved areas in Morton, Oliver and Stutsman counties.

USDA is providing assistance through the Community Connect Grant program, which establishes broadband service in rural areas for economic development and offers educational, health care, social and public safety benefits. Read news release.

Water & Wastewater: USDA announced $8 million in projects to improve and expand water and wastewater services for rural North Dakotans.

"Building-out utility infrastructure, such as water, is essential to supporting economic growth and promoting sustainable communities," said Jasper Schneider, USDA Acting Administrator for Rural Utilities Service. "As North Dakota's population continues to rise, these investments will expand capacity to help meet water system demands." Read news release.

Announcements

NEW EMPLOYEE: Cory Herman recently joined USDA Rural Development under the Rural Utilities Service. He is the new General Field Representative (GFR) for the Telecommunications Program. He will reside in Bismarck and may be reached at cory.herman@wdc.usda.gov.

Deadlines & Events

Nov. 12: Application deadline for the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) grant.
Nov. 12: REDLG program training. The session will provide an overview on reporting requirements, how to administer a revolving loan fund and the process for preparing applications. Will be held 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Mandan at NDaREC. To register, click here.
Dec. 2015: Applications are being accepted through 2015 for Loan Guarantees under Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program. Read NOFA.

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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."