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Success Stories

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Use the filters below to find additional stories about how our programs have helped rural communities across the nation.

Search Results: 9 Stories
The City of Luverne is partnering with a nonprofit to turn a vacant office building into a childcare center.

City of Luverne Partners with Non-Profit to Address Childcare Shortage

Families in Rock County, Minnesota have had limited choices when it comes to childcare. Now, the City of Luverne is taking action to provide much needed relief for working families. Rural Minnesota, especially Rock County, suffers from a critical shortage in childcare… [Read More]
Howard Lake officials believe their city will open the first net-zero library in Minnesota

City of Howard Lake to Open First Net-Zero Library in Minnesota

A project that has been years in the making for a small Minnesota town is wrapping up. By the end of the summer, the City of Howard Lake is expected to open the doors of their new, state-of-the-art public library. Howard Lake’s current library is the smallest library in the… [Read More]
Officials participate in the City of Virginia's groundbreaking ceremony for their new Public Safety Center

City of Virginia Breaks Ground on New Public Safety Building

The City of Virginia is undertaking a project that has been long in the making. With the help of USDA Rural Development, the city finally broke ground on the new Public Safety Center, a project that will be life changing for area residents. Law enforcement and fire departments… [Read More]
The exterior of Susan Noesen's home following the tornado that struck Alexandria in May of 2022.

Disaster Repair Grant Helps Minnesota Resident Bounce Back After Devastating Tornado

If it weren’t for Susan Noesen’s sense of humor and optimistic outlook on life, dealing with her tragedy would have been much more difficult. Noesen, a resident of Alexandria, recalls the very day that the unthinkable happened: a tornado ripped through her town, temporarily… [Read More]
The Link serves as a resource center for many residents living in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota.

Kandiyohi County Non-Profit Uses Rural Development Grant to Purchase Building

Since 2008, The Link has served as a central hub for people in need living in and around New London, Minnesota. The Link was originally established by the local ministerial association as a center coordinating resources for people in need. Since it was founded, the non-profit’… [Read More]
Richard Smith stands next to his solar array on his farm in Morris, Minnesota.

REAP Grant Helps Minnesota Farm Cut Costs

For nearly 50 years, Richard Smith has lived and worked on his farm in Morris. No stranger to the area, he grew up four miles from his current farm, where his sister lives now. Smith grows a variety of crops on his farm—including corn, beans, wheat, and alfalfa—and raises cattle… [Read More]
Saint Peter Fire Hall Aerial

City of Saint Peter Celebrates Success of New Fire Station

The city of Saint Peter had planned to replace its fire hall for nearly ten years. Since the mid-1950s, the town housed its fire department in an old maintenance shop, but the small, repurposed space was no longer adequate.  As the city grew, the fire department was faced… [Read More]
Alliant Service Teritory

Acquisition of Alliant Service Territories By 12 Rural Cooperatives

The RUS Electric Program provided financing to 10 of the 12 electric cooperatives involved in the acquisition of the Alliant service territory.  The Electric Program provided a total of nearly $125 million.  The total acquisition cost was about $127 million.  In… [Read More]
Paul Bunyan Communications Staff

Bringing Home the Broadband in Rural Minnesota

Paul Bunyan Communications, based in Bemidji, Minnesota, has taken advantage of the RUS Telecommunications Broadband loan program to build-out a high speed broadband network covering their entire service area. Their goal of connecting every institution, every business, and every… [Read More]