Spotlight: State of North Dakota

As part of our spotlight series, GrantWatch shines a light on the State of North Dakota, where beef and grain production are essential to our national food supply. In fact, in recognition of these important contributions, GrantWatch has provided listings of grant opportunities to help with a variety of grants throughout the State of North Dakota. In addition, GrantWatch offers a list of close to 1,700 grants in its Community and Economic Development grants listing category. Of course, it’s good to know that there are also grants that extend countrywide, and even international funding opportunities are available.

See below for both Fun and Quirky Facts about North Dakota!

Some Fun Facts About North Dakota

The world’s largest hamburger was eaten in Rutland, North Dakota. It weighed 3,591 pounds and more than 8,000 people were invited to the meal.

North Dakota holds the Guinness World Record for the most snow angels made simultaneously in one place. On February 17, 2007, 8,962 people made snow angels at the state capitol fair grounds.

Most of the pasta in America is made from North Dakota durum wheat.

A North Dakotan highway sculpture named “Geese in Flight” holds the Guinness World Record as the largest metal sculpture in the world. Erected in 2001, it is 156 feet long, 100 feet tall, and weighs 75 tons. Retired schoolteacher, Gary Greff, who wanted to break up the tedium on the highway, constructed it.

In 1887, North Dakotan David Henderson Houston invented a camera. He named it by scrambling the first four letters of Dakota and adding a “K” to make Kodak. He later sold the rights of the Kodak camera to George Eastman.

factretriever.com, “50 Interesting Facts About North Dakota“

Here’s Where Facts About North Dakota Get Seriously Interesting

It’s illegal to go dancing in Fargo with a hat on. It is even illegal to wear a hat at a party where other people are dancing. It is also illegal in North Dakota to take a nap with your shoes on.

One of the quirkiest sports in North Dakota is lawn mower racing. By the time mowers are customized, they can reach speeds of 60 mph, compared to the 5 mph they might do in the backyard.

Quirky city and place names in North Dakota include Antler, Buttzville, Cannon Ball, Concrete, Flasher, Medicine Hole, On-a-Slant Village, Ops, Three V Crossing, and Zap.

factretriever.com, “50 Interesting Facts About North Dakota“

Below is a list of grants and other community development funding opportunities for the State of North Dakota.

Community and Economic Development Grants for North Dakota

1. Grants to eligible North Dakota government agencies and nonprofits for projects that charitable community projects. Moreover, funding supports programs and projects that enhance the quality of life for local residents.
2. There are grants to eligible North Dakota nonprofits and government agencies to benefit local residents. Funding is for organizations working in the areas of community improvement, education, and quality of life. Lower priority will be for operational support.
3. In addition, grants to North Dakota companies, individuals, Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), and groups to encourage agriculture-related rural tourism-activities. Funding is to promote economic activity through agricultural tourism. As a result, applicants are to collaborate and apply for grant dollars to promote an entire region.
4. Grants to North Dakota businesses, IHEs, individuals, and groups to develop new agriculture-related marketing-strategies. In fact, funding supports market analyses to develop data-driven marketing plans that will positively impact local economies. Grants will be to seek new markets and ideas to promote North Dakota agricultural products and by-products. Products will be new to the particular area targeted for promotion or should be an expansion of existing products.
5. There are grants to North Dakota farmers and farm operations for economic investment activities that expand crop-and-livestock-production. Priority will be to assist family farm operations seeking to diversify the production of non-traditional crops, livestock products, and value-added income for the farm unit. Sustainability of new ventures are also considered.

Additional Community and Economic Development Grants for North Dakota

1. Also, grants to North Dakota companies, higher education agencies, groups, and individuals to develop technology that will improve agricultural-processing production within the state. Funding supports technological developments that add value to the state’s agriculture industry in food processing or other agricultural equipment.
2. Grants of up to $25,000 to North Dakota businesses for services to enhance markets for agricultural products. Funding is to expand and maintain the state’s existing value-added businesses. Eligible activities include those that assess, develop, and implement improvements to help companies become more competitive, productive, and profitable.
3. There are grants to eligible North Dakota nonprofits and government agencies for community projects that improve the quality-of-life for local residents. In the past, grants have been awarded to recreational and cultural organizations, parks, community hospitals, and police departments.
4. In addition, grants to eligible North Dakota nonprofits and agencies for programs to benefit local residents. Priority areas of focus include seniors, youth, community development, and leadership. Funding is for initiatives to improve the quality of life.
5. Grants to eligible North Dakota nonprofits, government agencies, schools, and park districts for projects and programs to benefit local residents.
6. Lastly, grants to eligible North Dakota nonprofits, government agencies, faith-based organizations, schools, and park districts for projects/programs benefitting local-residents. Previously funded projects include scholarship funding, supplies for a museum and historical society, and new gym equipment for a local school.

In Conclusion

We hope you’ll have the chance to personally visit some of the many interesting sites found in the State of North Dakota!

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