— Official News Release, Farm Credit Services —
St. Paul, Minn., May 29, 2015 – One week after announcing it had provided more than $2 million in grants to support western North Dakota communities, three Farm Credit organizations today announced the most recent worthy organizations to receive grants through the Rural Community Grant Fund.
Fire departments in Bottineau and Wildrose that have been relying on tanker trucks that were 30- and 45-years old to protect local communities will finally be able to make upgrades. Emergency responders in Burke county and Kenmare will have gas monitors to keep them safe at oil industry sites, and Golden Valley firefighters will have the proper breathing apparatuses. And the Domestic Violence Crisis Center in Minot will be able to securely store donated items such as clothing and furniture needed to help victims as they work to rebuild their lives.
“It’s an honor to be able to support such worthy causes,” said Bill York, CEO of AgriBank. “Through these grants, Farm Credit is helping to make communities stronger.”
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 the 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:
- $30,000 to the Bottineau Rural Fire Department to replace a 500-gallon 1984 tanker truck
- $9,515 to the Burke County Emergency Management for 12 gas monitors to protect emergency responders dispatched to oil industry sites
- $39,800 to the Dickinson Rural Fire Protection District for a new generator as part of their fire station expansion project
- $15,000 to the Domestic Violence Crisis Center Inc. in Minot for a storage unit that will hold donated items such as clothing and furniture that help victims rebuild their lives after leaving an abusive situation
- $36,400 to the Golden Valley Rural Fire Protection District for four self-contained breathing apparatuses to protect firefighters
- $2,025 to the Kenmare Volunteer Fire Department for three gas monitors to protect emergency responders dispatched to oil industry sites
- $10,000 to Little Lambs Childcare in Williston to enhance their facilities to serve children
- $6,000 to the Ryder-Makoti Fire Department for jacks to stabilize vehicles or equipment when jaws of life are being used in emergency situations
- $18,000 to Trinity Health Foundation in Kenmare for lift assistance equipment
- $50,000 to the Wildrose Fire Protection District to replace a 1969 tanker truck used to fight fires
The Rural Community Grant Fund is accepting applications for future funding to facilitate infrastructure improvement and development initiatives in western North Dakota. Applications are reviewed three times a year. Interested parties should apply before August 31 for the next round of grants at www.AgriBank.com,www.FarmCreditND.com or www.farmcreditmandan.com.
Grants are awarded in, but not limited to, the following areas:
- Multiple-family housing
- Health, safety and environmental projects or programs
- Medical facilities and services
- Medical and fire emergency services
- Environmental and conservation efforts
- Programs aimed at development of young leaders in agriculture, economic development or local leadership
- Educational programs for kindergarten through grade 12
- Recreational facilities
- Arts, museums and historical projects
