St. Paul, Minn., July 11, 2016 – Farm Credit organizations in western North Dakota are announcing nearly $200,000 in grants to local communities through the Rural Community Grant Fund.
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.
“Farm Credit continues to support rural communities in Western North Dakota. While oil activity has slowed, the needs within those communities continue to exist. Farm Credit is pleased to give back to those communities who support agriculture,” said Claude Sem, CEO Farm Credit Services of North Dakota.
The latest grants include:
- $50,000 to the Kenmare Rural Fire Protection District for a new fire response brush truck
- $36,000 to the Ray Community Ambulance District for an EKG machine
- $20,000 to the Berthold Ambulance Service for an EKG machine
- $20,000 to the Garrison Max Ambulance District for a trauma ambulance
- $20,000 to the Tioga Medical center for medical equipment
- $11,000 to Trinity Health Foundation for medical equipment
- $10,167 to the McKenzie County Heritage Association for tables for community events
- $20,000 to Lutheran Social Services for affordable housing in Beulah and Watford City
- $5,000 to the Carpio Lutheran Church for raised produce garden beds
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 August 31 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 nearly $100 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. With about half of the nation’s cropland located in the AgriBank District, and nearly 100 years of experience, the Bank and its Association owners have significant expertise in providing financial products and services for rural communities and agriculture. For more information, please 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 branch offices located in Minot, Bottineau, Carrington, Crosby, 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.