Ryan Taylor, USDA Rural Development State Director, today announced two recipients will receive $1.2 million to help rural cooperatives create jobs and support business expansion.
"North Dakota's history is rich with stories of farmers and ranchers who pitched in together to help themselves and take responsibility for their future. They did it with a deep sense of equality and solidarity," Taylor said. "Those stories inspire us and lead us forward because the cooperative business model has a future that's as bright as its past. We are proud to support cooperatives as they cooperate to build new economic opportunities, and, as importantly, a renewed sense of community in North Dakota."
The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) will receive a $200,000 grant. The funds, part of USDA's Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program, will be used to provide technical assistance for cooperatives and mutually-owned businesses.
West River Telecommunications Cooperative will receive a $1 million loan through USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan program. West River will relend that funding to help with construction costs of the 53,000-square-foot Sakakawea Medical Center (SMC) in the community of Hazen. Currently, SMC is comprised of two campus locations. To improve efficiency and provide a higher level of patient and resident care, the new hospital and clinic will be integrated with the existing long-term care facility.
Today's announcement is part of USDA's observance of National Cooperative Month. Each year in October, the Department highlights the economic impact and innovation of cooperative businesses, particularly in rural communities.
Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested over $3.2 billion to start or expand businesses and cooperatives, build essential community facilities, build-out utility infrastructure and provide affordable housing. To learn more about Rural Development, please visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/nd.