By Scout Nelson
With an aim to fix up rural areas, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development is pushing the envelope. Erin Oban, the North Dakota director for this initiative, underlines the importance of this effort, emphasizing its goal to uplift economic prospects and life quality in remote and tribal zones.
Recently, the spotlight has been on the Rural Energy for America Program, with an announcement to allocate $4 million to agriculture ventures and small-scale businesses in North Dakota. These funds are a fragment of a broader $266 million provision spanning across 47 states, including Guam and Puerto Rico.
The intent is to boost renewable energy and energy efficiency. A notable beneficiary is Agri-Cover, stationed just outside Jamestown, North Dakota. They’ve been granted $488,000 to enhance their geothermal heating and cooling system as part of a new expansion.
This financial injection isn't limited to North Dakota. Just days earlier, Minnesota enjoyed an investment of $230 million under the Biden administration's "Investing in America" blueprint. These funds are set to revamp a meat processing facility, mend town infrastructures, and propel rural electric and broadband advancements.
Erin Oban discusses Rural Development's diverse approach, overseeing over 60 programs addressing rural needs like healthcare, housing, business development, and infrastructure. One key focus is childcare, with Xochitl Torres Small, deputy secretary of agriculture, emphasizing its importance for rural societies. Rural Development provides loans and grants to entities establishing childcare facilities.
Small emphasized the importance of a strong food supply chain, highlighting consistent support for the meat processing sector since the pandemic. The goal is to strengthen local economies by directly connecting farmers with consumers for growth and sustainability.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-gabrielabertolini
Categories: North Dakota, Government & Policy