Small Business & Agricultural Producers Grant Opportunity

The Section 9007: Rural Energy for America Program NOSA was released in the Federal Register on Tuesday, May 26, 2009.

USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for fiscal year 2009 to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements and to conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy systems for agriculture producers and rural small businesses in eligible rural areas.  Funding will be available in the form of grants and loan guarantees.  In addition to grants and loan guarantees, applicants may apply for combination loan guarantee and grant funding.  For more information on the Section 9007 grant program contact:  Dennis Rodin, Rural Development Federal Building, Room 211, 220 East Rosser Avenue, PO Box 1737, Bismarck, ND 58502-1737 Phone: 701-530-2068 Toll Free: 800-582-7584 extension 2068 Fax: 701-530-2111 E-Mail: dennis.rodin@nd.usda.gov or Ray Ann Kilen at the Small Business Development Center, Strom Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 1679 6th Avenue West (Physical), 291 Campus Drive (Mailing), Dickinson, ND 58601 Phone: 701-483-2470 Fax: 701-483-2062 E-Mail: rayann.kilen@dsu.nodak.edu.

Three High Ropes Certified

Three Strom Center staff members are now High Ropes Level 1 Certified. Jeanne MacDonald, Amanda Moser, and myself (Kim Hayes) attended the High Ropes Training May 19-21, 2009 which was held at the Badlands Ministries High Ropes Course just South of Medora, North Dakota.

Throughout our three days of intense training we learned not only how to facilitate but we also learned what it’s like to be a participant. We also learned the safety management and technical skills necessary to lead the High Ropes Program.

The Badlands Ministries High Ropes Course consists of 6 elements/obstacles which are all approximately 30-40 feet above the ground. We participated in all 6 elements of the High Ropes course, including the Dangling Duo, Multivine, Power Pole, & Zip Line. Each element was done with a partner in a specific sequence to build trust and strengthen relationships.

We became certified in High Ropes so we can offer these services to any businesses, organizations, or groups who would like to build a better team. Jeanne and I will work closely with our area to take any interested groups through the program, while Amanda plans to use this program to engage the members of the communities her HTC program works with (ie: Bowman, Dickinson, Hettinger, Killdeer, Medora, MHA Nation, & Williston). The goal of taking groups through the High Ropes Course is to develop high performance teams in the workplace through the transition of what is learned on the course.

To sign up for the High Ropes Course or for more information call me, Jeanne, or Amanda at the Strom Center at (701) 483-2756.

Kim Hayes
Talent Initiative Assistant
Strom Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Vote for Hillsboro, ND SADD Group

Hillsboro, North Dakota’s SADD group is in a competition called 2009 Act Out Loud: Raising Voices for Safe Teen Driving and they need your help to win!  Their project is called “Keep Your Summer Drive Alive.”  They have an awesome video & have spent a lot of time preparing, so please vote today to show your support!  Voting for the competition can be done daily from May 11-22, 2009.  Also, don’t forget to watch their video.

Kim Hayes
Talent Initiative Assistant
Strom Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Beach, North Dakota to Hold First Half Marathon

To Celebrate 100 Years, Beach, North Dakota will be holding it’s first ever half marathon from Golva to Beach. It be on August 1, 2009, in conjunction with the annual 5K and 10K walk/run. Check-in will be from 5:30 to 6:30 am. The event will start at Gazebo Park (corner of Central Ave. & Main St.), with all events starting simultaneously at 7:00 am. There will be transportation to start points available. Pre-registration for the event is requested, so please register today if you would like to participate.

All participants will receive a t-shirt. Half marathon participants will also receive a participation medallion.

Kim Hayes
Talent Initiative Assistant
Strom Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

COCO…Giving Back to Southwestern North Dakota

COCO, or the Coalition of Charitable Organization, is a group of regional nonprofits coming together in support of common goals. The group was formed in 1996. Since their creation, COCO has promoted the idea of philanthropy and giving in Southwestern North Dakota.

COCO has grown yearly to now include close to 20 non-profits, from ABLE to West River Health Services Foundation. The key to why this group has continued to operate, is because they understand the importance of their mission and promoting education. This group realizes that working together is a benefit to each individual nonprofit and their work plays a pivotal role in the quality of life in the communities they serve.

The group has recently identified the following goals to promote their mission:

• Promote philanthropy and giving in Southwestern North Dakota
• Sponsor the Philanthropist of the Year Award
• Provide education for nonprofits to increase their capacity building
• Serve as a resource for educational opportunities in North Dakota
• Provide networking and support for nonprofit members
• Build collaborative relationships with allied professionals
• Distribute a Planned Giving Brochure for allied professionals and donors which contains information on COCO nonprofit members and gifting opportunities

To find out more information regarding COCO, their members, or having your nonprofit join, please contact amanda.moser@dickinsonstate.edu, who will connect you with the board of directors for the organization.
**Watch for their upcoming article in City Magazine

Amanda Lynn Moser
HTC Coordinator
Strom Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

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