Farm Credit Provides $170,650 for Western North Dakota Medical and Emergency Services

Western North Dakota communities received $170,650 in grants from Farm Credit, including five grants for worthy community projects to support cities and towns impacted by oil and mineral exploration and production.

“North Dakota is now the second-largest oil-producing state in the United States, bringing both opportunity and challenges to the towns and cities in western North Dakota. These grants represent our commitment to investing in the needs of these communities through the Rural Community Grant Fund,” said Bill York, CEO of AgriBank. “This is an ongoing program. Organizations with worthy projects can apply online at http://www.agribank.com before the next review period deadline on Nov. 30.”

AgriBank, Farm Credit Services of Mandan and Farm Credit Services of North Dakota announced the awards under the Rural Community Grant Fund, which has awarded $845,134 since it began providing grants in 2012. The organizations started the fund to support a variety of infrastructure and development projects that benefit communities in western North Dakota, including affordable housing, medical and fire emergency services, medical facilities and services, and education.

“We are pleased to be a part of the recent round of grant approvals. The needs of oil-impacted regions of western North Dakota continue to be evident from the applications received for Farm Credit’s Rural Community Grant Fund. I encourage interested groups to review our websites for background information and forward their applications,” said Michael O’Keeffe, CEO of Farm Credit Services of Mandan.

“We continue to be amazed at the impact oil exploration has had on western North Dakota. While this gives us many opportunities, it also comes with many challenges. It is exciting to be part of a company that gives back to the communities and is driven to make a difference for those most impacted,” said Claude Sem, CEO, Farm Credit Services of North Dakota. Our mission is to provide products and services that exceed customer expectations

Awarded recipients included:

• Southwest Healthcare Services, Bowman: $30,650 for emergency room and ambulance equipment

• Garrison Memorial Hospital: $30,000 for emergency room remodel and expansion

• Portal International Fire Department: $30,000 for a rescue vehicle

• Mountrail County Medical Center, Stanley: $30,000 for emergency exam room equipment and an EKG machine

• Williston Volunteer Fire Department: $50,000 for rescue vehicle mounting

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 can apply at http://www.agribank.com through Nov. 30, 2013 for the next application period. 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.

About AgriBank

AgriBank is one of the largest banks within the national Farm Credit System, with more than $80 billion in total assets. Under the Farm Credit System’s cooperative structure, AgriBank is owned by 17 affiliated Farm Credit Associations. The AgriBank District covers America’s Midwest, a 15-state area from Wyoming to Ohio and Minnesota to Arkansas. More than half of the nation’s cropland is located within the AgriBank District, providing the Bank and its Association owners with exceptional expertise in production agriculture. For more information, visit http://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 http://www.farmcreditnd.com.

About Farm Credit Services of Mandan

Mission is to provide products and services that exceed customer expectations

In addition to operating and real estate loans, Farm Credit Services of Mandan offers agribusiness financing, livestock and equipment loans, leasing services, tax, accounting 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 20-county area in southwest North Dakota, with full-time offices in Beulah, Bowman, Carson, Dickinson, Mandan, Mott, Washburn, and Wishek. For more information, visit http://www.farmcreditmandan.com.