Applications for new grants being sought through Nov. 30
St. Paul, Minn., Oct. 16, 2015 – Firefighters, medical providers and other critical services across western North Dakota will be better equipped to handle an increased need for their services with the help of more than $300,000 in grants from three Farm Credit organizations through the Rural Community Grant Fund.
Seven local fire departments will have new equipment and new training resources. Three area medical centers will see new construction or new equipment. Critical care paramedics will have advanced equipment and training. A family crisis center will better be able to serve victims of domestic violence, while a 4-H camp will be able to make improvements to safety, security and amenities for young people.
“Oil development and exploration continues to have an impact on Western North Dakota,” said Claude Sem, CEO of Farm Credit Services of North Dakota. “Farm Credit is pleased to provide these grant funds to worthwhile organizations that are truly involved helping their communities grow and prosper.”
“From a safety perspective, it’s rewarding to know these grants are helping support and protect those who serve in our rural communities,” said Aaron Vetter, CEO Farm Credit Services of Mandan.
The fund was established as a partnership between Farm Credit Services of Mandan and Farm Credit Services of North Dakota – the two largest providers of agricultural loans in western North Dakota—and AgriBank, their St. Paul, Minn.-based funding bank, to help communities impacted by oil development. Through the fund, Farm Credit provides grants to support infrastructure or development initiatives encompassing housing projects, medical facilities, health, safety and environmental programs, and other critical needs.
The latest grants include:
- $50,000 to the Sakakawea Medical Center in Hazen to support construction of a new hospital
- $50,000 to the St. Andrews Health Center in Bottineau to replace a backup generator
- $40,000 to the Minot Fire Protection District to equip a new vehicle for emergency responders
- $35,000 to the Williston Rural Fire Protection District to provide all of its firefighters with hand held radios
- $33,628 to the Alamo Rural Fire Protection District for better communications equipment, protective gear and training
- $25,000 to the Burlington Rural Fire Department to erect a training tower
- $25,000 to the Mountrail County Medical Center for a nurses call station
- $12,500 to the North Dakota 4-H Foundation to improve the Washburn camp’s safety, security and amenities
- $9,999 to the Columbus Rural Fire Department for protective gear for volunteer firefighters
- $9,916 to the Lignite Fire District for protective gear
- $9,000 to the Stanley Fire Department for protective gear
- $8,900 to the Stanley Rural Ambulance Service District for equipment for critical care paramedics
- $7,800 to the Divide County Ambulance District for advanced equipment and training for critical care paramedics
- $5,406 to help the Family Crisis Center in Bottineau better serve victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
The Rural Community Grant Fund is accepting applications for work to meet the needs of communities in western North Dakota. Interested parties should apply before November 30 at www.agribank.com, www.farmcreditnd.com or www.farmcreditmandan.com.
Grants will support critical community needs that improve health, safety, access to housing, education, economic development, and other important needs.
ABOUT AGRIBANK
AgriBank is one of the largest banks within the national Farm Credit System, with more than $90 billion in total assets. Under the Farm Credit System’s cooperative structure, AgriBank is primarily owned by 17 affiliated Farm Credit Associations. The AgriBank District covers America’s Midwest, a 15-state area stretching from Wyoming to Ohio and Minnesota to Arkansas. About half of the nation’s cropland is located within the AgriBank District, providing the Bank and its Association owners with expertise in production agriculture. For more information, visit www.AgriBank.com.
ABOUT FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF NORTH DAKOTA
Farm Credit Services of North Dakota is a member-owned agricultural credit association providing loans to farmers and ranchers for real estate, machinery, livestock and operating needs. FCS of ND also offers life and disability and crop insurances to the rural community. FCS of ND serves 17 counties in northwest North Dakota through eight branch offices located in Minot, Bottineau, Carrington, Rugby, and Williston, including Bowbells Crop Insurance (Bowbells), Schaan Crop Insurance (Rugby) and Ward County Crop Insurance (Minot). For more information, visit www.farmcreditnd.com
ABOUT FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF MANDAN
In addition to operating and real estate loans, Farm Credit Services of Mandan offers agribusiness financing, livestock and equipment loans, leasing services, tax and payroll services, crop, forage and livestock insurance, life and disability insurance, stock financing for energy, feed, or food processing and a cash patronage program. Farm Credit Services of Mandan is a member-owned agricultural financing cooperative that serves a twenty-county area in southwest North Dakota, with full-time offices in Beulah, Bowman, Carson, Dickinson, Mandan, Mott, Washburn, and Wishek. For more information, visit www.farmcreditmandan.com.