Dear friends of Rural Development,
 
As I write this, it is the longest day of the year, the summer solstice. That time of year when we have to beg the kids to come inside and go to bed, and they protest, "But it's not even dark yet!"
 
It seems we need days this long, or longer, to do all the work that is needed, and that is so important, to rural North Dakota. We need these long days as we try to see all the results of our programs in the communities, and on the farms and ranches, across our state. However, with just a few minutes and a copy of our recently released Progress Report, you can get a good feel for the $301 million worth of investments made in North Dakota utilities, housing, businesses and communities by USDA Rural Development in the last fiscal year.
 
We know there is more to do. We just finished recognizing National Home Ownership Month and some of our valued lending partners in the home loan guarantee program, but we know there are more families hoping to achieve the dream of owning their own home. We helped expand access to childcare in Casselton, but many more communities need the same effort. We have a new federally designated Promise Zone for the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and the Spirit Lake Nation, but there is much more to do to increase economic opportunities for all our tribal nations.
 
Good thing we have these long days, and all you to help us fill the days with worthwhile work.
 
Enjoy the sun!
Ryan


IN THIS ISSUE...







CALENDAR... 
 
June 26: Grand Opening of the Richardton Health Center.  

July 11-13: NDATC Summer Conference in Fargo.  

Aug. 14-16: ICBND Annual Convention in Bismarck
USDA Helps Build New Daycare Center in Casseltondaycare

children at daycare center The Sonshine Center in Casselton recently completed a 5,400-square-foot daycare and preschool facility with the capacity to accommodate up to 88 children ages 6 weeks to 12 years of age. To help address the community's child care gap, capacity is increasing by 30 more children than the Center's previous location. USDA Rural Development partnered on the project by providing more than 80 percent of the construction financing. Watch the news story. 


 

 
North Dakota Region Receives Presidential Designationpresidential

Promise Zone grahic Recently, the Pride of the Great Plains, which includes the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Spirit Lake Nation and Rolette County, celebrated their presidential designation as a Promise Zone. The region is one of nine zones recently selected from a field of 82 applications. Through the Promise Zone initiative, the federal government will work strategically with local leaders to boost economic activity and job growth, improve educational opportunities, reduce crime and leverage private investment to improve the quality of life in these vulnerable areas. USDA will serve as the lead federal partner to the tribal and rural Promise Zones. Read more


 

 

 

home loan video

June is celebrated as national Homeownership Month and USDA is highlighting their role in helping people buy homes in rural areas. Since 2009, USDA has invested more than $137 billion to support rural homeownership. In 2015 alone, the Department invested $19.5 billion to help more than 148,500 rural families buy or make repairs and safety upgrades to their homes. To learn more about our housing programs, please visit our website and watch our video


 

 



Socially Disadvantaged Group GrantsSDGG

The 
Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) program  provides grants to local cooperatives and other organizations that provide technical assistance to socially disadvantaged groups in rural areas. Examples of technical assistance include providing leadership training, conducting feasibility studies and developing business and strategic plans.

Recipients eligible for these grants include groups of cooperatives, individual cooperatives and cooperative development centers that serve socially-disadvantaged groups. In 2015, the Cooperative and Cooperative Development Center definitions were updated and now allow organizations previously ineligible for SDGG to apply. Last year, two housing cooperatives and three home care cooperatives received SDGG awards. Thus, the SDGG projects do not have to be related to agricultural production.  


Electronic applications are due on August 1, 2016 and mailed applications on 
August 5, 2016. Read more on the program and how to apply

 
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