Building North Dakota

State Director Jasper Schneider

Greetings,

North Dakota is helping America build a secure energy future. At USDA, it is a priority for us to support those efforts through small businesses. The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), provides loans and grants for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Agricultural producers and rural small businesses may use this program to improve and modernize their operations while lowering energy costs and boosting their bottom line.

Application deadlines for the energy program are fast approaching. We are offering workshops and webinars to help with application preparation, which you can read about throughout this newsletter. Also, please feel free to contact our office as we are happy to answer your questions.

- Bill Davis, Acting State Director

We have a new website!

The USDA Rural Development website has been updated. It is more user-friendly and provides the most up-to-date information on our programs. View North Dakota's new web page at http://www.rd.usda.gov/nd. While visiting our site, sign-up for our e-newsletter and follow us on Twitter.

Join Our Energy Program Grant Workshop!

Thursday February 19, 2015

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon

City of Moorhead Council Chambers

500 Center Avenue, Moorhead, MN

USDA Rural Development staff from ND and MN will provide an informative grant workshop on our REAP program. Attendees will learn about the application process, eligibility requirements and project scoring. There will also be time for individualized attention for application assistance, so if you have your energy bills, equipment bids, and/or tax returns, bring them along.

A variety of projects may qualify for REAP financial assistance. Some examples include: equipment with customizable controls to lower electrical use, solar panels, small wind turbines, geothermal systems, anaerobic digesters, and renewable biomass such as crops, wood and plants that can be converted into heat or biofuel.

The cost to attend the workshop is free but we are requesting pre-registration which is available at: http://2015reapworkshop.eventbrite.com. Please contact Ron Omann with any questions at (651) 602-7796 or email ron.omann@mn.usda.gov.

USDA Informational Sessions

Several free information sessions regarding USDA Rural Development grant programs will be held in February. The sessions will also provide technical assistance to help fill out USDA grant applications. Anyone is welcomed to attend: new or existing businesses, farmers, ranchers, ag producers and more. For more information, contact: Barbara Schmitt at bschmitt@uttc.edu or (701) 527-0931.

All sessions will run from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and then one-on-one sessions will be available from 12:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 3rd - Turtle Mountain Community College, Belcourt
Wednesday, Feb. 4th - Candeska Cikana Community College, Fort Totten
Thursday, Feb. 5th - Lake Region Community College, Devils Lake
Tuesday, Feb. 10th - McClusky City Hall
Wednesday, Feb. 11th - Steele Community Center
Thursday, Feb. 12th - Sitting Bull Community College, Fort Yates

Interest Rate Changes

Water and Environmental Program (WEP): interest rates starting January 1st, 2015:

Poverty: down from 2.375% to 2.250%

Intermediate: down from 3.25% to 3.00%

Market: down from 4.00% to 3.75%

Community Facilities: interest rates starting January 1st, 2015:

Poverty: unchanged at 4.50%

Intermediate: down from 4.375% to 4.125%

Market: down from 4.00% to 3.750%

Deadlines & Events

Feb. 2: the new housing eligibility maps go in to effect.
Feb 6: Your invited to join the REAP webinar.
Feb. 6-7: Local Foods Conference - Mandan.
Feb. 11-13: Annual Water Expo - Bismarck.
Feb 12: REAP energy audit application deadline. View all deadlines.
Feb. 20: Economic Development Roundtable - Dept. of Commerce.
Feb. 25-26: Statewide Housing Conference, Bismarck.

Website Contact Us News NOFAs Forms Progress Report

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."