BISMARCK, ND, June 15, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Erin Oban announced today that USDA RD is making investments that will create new and better markets for a bison processing facility in North Dakota.
“This $6.2 million loan guarantee to support the past success and future growth of North American Bison is one more example of USDA Rural Development’s commitment to rural communities, small businesses, ag producers, and consumers,” said Oban. “This investment will provide critical funding to one of the few bison processing facilities located in North Dakota, and we’re honored to be a partner in assisting with the expansion of their operation.”
USDA is making investments worth $320 million to strengthen food supply chains and create more opportunity for producers and entrepreneurs in 19 states: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Iowa, Idaho, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia.
In North Dakota, North American Bison LLC, which has been in operation since 2009, will use a $6,200,000 loan to provide long-term financing for expansion of their facility in New Rockford. The 18,000 sq.ft. expansion will be used to increase their bison processing by 50% and will add up to 18 jobs.
Background
The Food Supply Chain Guarantee Loan program supports new investments in infrastructure for food aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesaling, and distribution to increase capacity and create a more resilient, diverse, and secure U.S. food supply chain. This program is authorized under Section 1001 of the American Rescue Plan Act.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA Rural Development provides loans, loan guarantees and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety, and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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