USDA-RD State Director Oban visits Central City

There are programs available through USDA-Rural Development (USDA-RD) to help keep rural communities in North Dakota thriving.

That's the message from USDA-RD State Director Erin Oban, who made three stops during a visit to the Central City on Monday, Nov. 20.

The day began with a gathering of community leaders at the Garden Gate, and continued with visits to Arrowwood Prairie Cooperative and Cows & Co Creamery, two local businesses who have recently received funds from the agency.

"We'll be a partner in the work that you're doing," Oban told a group of approximately 20 at the Garden Gate.

Arrowwood Prairie Cooperative received an $85,325 grant from USDA-RD last year to create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels. They replaced two E15 dispensers, four E85 dispensers, and five ethanol storage tanks at the Carrington convenience store along Hwy. 281. The upgrade is estimated to increase the amount of ethanol sold by 149,648 gallons per year.

Oban and UDSA-RD Community Development Specialist Jill Haakenson also visited Cows & Co Creamery for the first time Monday. Cows & Co was the recipient of a $250,000 Value Added Producer Grant in 2022. The funds were used for working capital costs of processing raw milk into gelato, gouda cheese and cheese curds.

For more information about programs and funds available through USDA-RD, go to http://www.rd.usda.gov/nd