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A Rural Development Finance Corporation Grant (RDFC) is Available Through RTC Networks. 

RDFC is a North Dakota nonprofit finance and development corporation. RDFC’s member-owners are: North Dakota Rural Electric Cooperatives, nine of North Dakota’s Rural Telecommunication Cooperatives and the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives. RDFC encourages economic diversification and community vitality through the generation of funding that supports sustainable asset building.

RTC Networks’ membership with RDFC permits communities in our service area to apply for a grant of up to $3,000 for community-based projects. RDFC makes these funds available to bring awareness to their larger loan program, a program that funds community-based projects and nonprofit entities with low interest loans. RTC Networks is accepting applications for an RDFC grant through August 1, 2023.

Entities eligible for RDFC funding include: community owned businesses (café, grocery store, motel, other); community facilities (such as ambulance services, fire districts, recreational facilities, hospitals/clinics, community centers, etc.); or community-based projects (such as school/youth projects) that benefit rural areas and lead to community betterment.

In 2022 through RTC Networks, RDFC awarded a $2,000 grant to the Makoti Park Board. The grant funds were used to help fund the renovation project at the Makoti swimming pool.

The Makoti pool, throughout the years, has been a popular recreation spot for children and adults who reside in Makoti and in the surrounding communities, including: New Town, Van Hook, Parshall, Plaza, Ryder, Douglas, Max, Roseglen, Berthold, and more. The Makoti pool is one of the only western ND pools in which swimming lessons (Levels 1-4) are taught. The pool was constructed in 1970 after the city of Makoti received a generous donation from the estate of a local resident. Since the pool was constructed, it has been mainly maintained by volunteers who have generously donated their time.

For an application for this year’s round of RDFC funding or for answers to questions about grant eligibility, please email Shannon Stafslien, RTC Networks Marketing Manager at: shannons@rtc.email.

2022 RDFC Grant Award Winner - Makoti Pool
2022 RDFC Grant Award Winner - Makoti Pool