By Erin Oban, Guest Contributor
In a state whose history, economy, and culture are deeply rooted in agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) agencies, programs, and impacts are well-known to many North Dakotans. Since 2012, one of those agencies, USDA Rural Development (RD), has invested more than $4 billion to expand economic opportunity and improve the quality of life in North Dakota’s most rural communities.
USDA RD investments – provided in the form of loans, grants, loan guarantees, and technical assistance – are available through more than 70 programs in 6 major areas: Rural Business and Cooperative Services, Community Facilities, Housing, Water and Waste Disposal, and Electric and Telecommunications Programs. For rural leaders looking for ways to finance the facilities, vehicles, and equipment needed for effective fire protection and response in the communities and areas they serve, there are two specific USDA RD programs that may be of interest.
The USDA RD’s Community Facilities Program can help North Dakota public entities, non-profit organizations, and Tribes to construct, expand, develop, or improve essential facilities and equipment to serve rural areas. With funding recently provided through this program, the Ellendale Fire Protection District replaced a fire pumper truck and the Crystal Rural Fire District up in Pembina County expanded their fire hall to include additional space for training and storing equipment.
Others have received USDA RD funding through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (or REDLG) Program by partnering with their rural electric or broadband cooperative. When combined with a 20% match/supplemental funding, REDLG directs funding to local utility co-ops as a pass-through loan, providing up to $2 million at 0% interest with a 10-year repayment to the ultimate recipient. Most recently, the Jamestown Rural Fire Department’s replaced a 1987 pumper truck by working with the Northern Plains Electric Cooperative to access REDLG funding.
As fellow North Dakotans who are grateful for and rely on the very services you provide, our team of professionals is ready to partner with you to access federal resources made available through USDA RD to assist in meeting the needs of rural fire districts and departments. If you have questions, need additional information, or are ready to apply, please connect with us today!
Erin Oban was appointed state director of USDA Rural Development in North Dakota in March of 2022. She grew up in a farm family in Ray, ND, before moving to and making her home in Bismarck. Upon earning her bachelor’s degree, she began her career as a middle school math and technology teacher before gaining professional experience in non-profit management, regional educational leadership, and in politics and government service. In 2014 and again in 2018, Erin was elected and re-elected to represent Bismarck’s District 35 in the North Dakota Senate.