USDA Rural Development partnered with Reservation Telephone Cooperative to provide Wolf Run Village a $2 million loan to construct Wolf Pup Daycare Center in Watford City.
“There is a child care shortage across the state, but it is particularly evident in western North Dakota, which is experiencing a great population influx,” said Jasper Schneider, USDA Rural Development state director. “This project will provide much needed services as daycare facilities in Watford City are at maximum capacity.”
The growth in jobs and population, largely due to oil development, has created a need for more child care services. To help address this need, the new daycare center will accommodate 200 children, ages 6 weeks to 12 years of age. In addition, the entire upper floor will be dedicated to preschool classrooms. When the project is complete, the center plans to hire at least 40 full-time employees and will have longer hours to better serve those who work shifts in the oil patch.
Through the USDA Rural Economic Development Loan (REDL) program, Reservation Telephone received a $2 million loan to help construct the new daycare facility. The REDL program provides zero-interest loans to local utility companies which they, in turn, re-lend to local businesses to spur economic development. For more information on USDA programs, please call (701) 530-2037 or visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/nd.