Ellen Huber, Rural Development Director, for the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives led a large group of RDFC Board members and Rural Development Services (RDS) Advisory Committee on a tour of Devils Lake’s Dockside Family Entertainment Center on Thursday, August 27.
Huber explained the group was comprised of rural electric and broadband cooperative board leaders and staff from around the state. The group was largely representatives of the Rural Development Finance Corporation, which offers affordable, flexible financing for small business start-up and expansion as well as community development projects in towns of 10,000 or under in population. “We also had members of the rural development advisory committee to the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives. Our NDAREC Rural Development Services team provides technical assistance for projects and initiatives in rural communities including connection to grants and low-interest loans,” she added.
This group was welcomed to Dockside by Steven Geigle, Superintendent of Devils Lake’s Parks and Recreation and a number of his board members. Geigle and the Park Board Members each explained the benefits of having a facility like this and how it appeals to all ages of users seeking physical activity. He explained how the building itself was acquired and the renovations financed through multiple partners throughout Devils Lake and the Lake Region which included those listed on the “With Gratitude to Our Community” wall of donors.
The efforts of the Rural Development Finance Corporation helped secure the funding for three major projects in the Lake Region:
Dockside Family Entertainment Center located at 807 ND Highway 20 S, Devils Lake, received $2 million, 0% interest, 10-year loan through USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program for funding with a resolution of support from Nodak Electric.
Ramsey County Fairgrounds & Peterson Arena, 7823 Highway 19 W, Devils Lake, received a $200,000 grant from an anonymous donor for construction of multipurpose all-seasons event center.rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program for construction of a conference center at Woodland Resort, with a resolution of support from Nodak Electric
The Shores Event Center at Woodland Resort, 1012 Woodland Drive, Devils Lake, received $2 million, 0% interest, 10-year loan through USDA.
Huber would be bringing the group to both the Ramsey County Fairgrounds and Shores at Woodland Resort when their time at Dockside was finished.