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Trump Administration Invests over $600,000 in North Dakota to Help Rural Businesses Create Jobs and Increase Economic Opportunities

Name
Chris Freeman
City
BISMARCK
Release Date

Investment to Help 9 Businesses and Create or Save 17 Jobs

BISMARCK, N.D., Sept. 1, 2020 – North Dakota State Director Clare Carlson announced today that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing over $600,000 in North Dakota to help rural businesses create jobs and increase economic opportunities.

“These grants will ensure our rural businesses are able to grow and thrive,” said Carlson. “Projects like these not only improve the business, they also create and sustain jobs. Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural North Dakota in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

USDA is awarding the grants through the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program. Recipients may use the funds to provide technical assistance, training and job-creation activities to small rural businesses. The following are examples of projects being funded under today’s announcement in North Dakota.

  • Adams County Development Corporation will use a $52,000 grant to purchase and lease equipment for Peacock Mercantile, a specialty store focused on artisan coffee, tea and gifts. This project will allow the organization to service an additional 40 customers.
  • The city of Beach will use a $33,000 grant to create an economic development strategy. This is a continuation of work that began in 2019 with the “Believe in Beach” plan, which was established to improve the quality of life and enhance the community’s economic prosperity. This will be accomplished through increased tourism and the attraction of new businesses.
  • The Divide County Job Development Authority will use a $28,000 grant to purchase a large mixing pot for In the Potter’s Hand Inc., a specialty beauty product business. This equipment will allow the business to increase production and create four new jobs.
  • Emerging Prairie will use a $50,000 grant to provide technical assistance and execute a business strategy for the Grand Farm Research and Education Initiative. The mission of the organization is to establish an advanced agriculture technology ecosystem in North Dakota for farmers, farmer center organizations, agriculture businesses and government. This project will create eight new jobs.
  • Jamestown Regional Entrepreneur Center will use a $63,000 grant to provide technical assistance to south central North Dakota counties, including Entrepreneurship Advocacy Initiatives, customized training, and one-on-one business assistance. This project will create four jobs.
  • The Maddock Opera House Association will use a $100,000 grant to expand infrastructure of the existing facility. The additional space will increase the size of the internal restaurant and add more storage space.
  • Northern Plains Resource Conservation and Development will use a $22,000 grant to provide an educational program for local food producers in northeast North Dakota. The course will be offered at the Lake Region State College in Devils Lake and will be designed for direct market producers of local foods. The goal is to initially enroll eight local food producers in the course.
  • Northern Plains Resource Conservation and Development will use a $24,000 grant to create a mobile application that will connect local food producers with local families. The application’s purpose is to assist local food producers with growth and profitability through efficiency, while meeting customer needs.
  • The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa will use a $110,000 grant to provide technical assistance to small and emerging businesses and entrepreneurs on the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa reservation and surrounding Rolette County.
  • Bowman County Development Corporation will use a $56,000 grant to enhance and expand business development classes in Bowman County. The classes will assist to build and develop the local workforce through education. This project will include the purchase of equipment for attendees to use and create a hands-on experience.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/nd.

If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

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