ND Department of Commerce

·        Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC)

Stimulates the development of new and expanded uses of North Dakota agricultural products. Grant dollars can be used for product research, prototype development, feasibility studies, marketing plans and activities, and job creation in North Dakota.

·        Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

Funds are awarded to communities for real property, site improvements and infrastructure, and as a guarantee to fund working capital. The primary beneficiaries of these projects must be very low and low income individuals. Distribution Statement.

·        North Dakota Development Fund (NDDF)

Financial assistance for Primary sector businesses (up to $1,000,000) for use in real estate, equipment, and working capital. "Gap" financing is available through direct loans, participation loans, subordinated debt and equity investments. These options provide long-term and short-term capital to new, expanding or relocating primary sector businesses.

·        New Venture Capital Program

This innovative financial program that provides flexible financing through debt and equity investments for new or expanding businesses in ND. The program is administered through the NDDF and offered through the Bank of North Dakota. It can fund rapidly growing companies which require equity funding. Click here to view the application.

·        Child Care Loan Program

The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance to child care providers. Eligible providers include licensed profit, non-profit and public child care facilities. Approved uses of funds include equipment, real estate, and working capital. The maximum award is $100,000. Click here to view the application.

·        ND Small Business Technology Investment Program

This program provides financial assistance to Primary Sector Businesses in the technology field at the start-up stage. Click here to view the application.

 

Bank of North Dakota (BND)

BND, the only state-owned bank in the Nation, is dedicated to promoting commerce, industry and agriculture through a variety of financial programs and services.

 

Business Financing Services

·        Beginning Entrepreneur Loan Guarantee Program

is designed to assist in business start-up financing by providing a financial institution with an 85% guaranty of a loan not to exceed $100,000.

·        Business Development Loan Program

is designed to assist new and existing businesses in obtaining loans that would have a higher degree of risk than would normally be acceptable to a lending institution. The total outstanding amount under this program by BND may not exceed $25 million.

·        Flex PACE Program

provides interest buy down to non-PACE qualifying businesses where the Community determines eligibility and accountability standards. Flex PACE targets essential community businesses without the job creation requirement. 

 

Agricultural Financing Services

·        Ag PACE (Agriculture Partnership in Assisting Community Expansion)

buys down the interest rate on loans to farmers who are investing in other nontraditional agriculture activities to supplement farm income.

·        Beginning Farmer Farm Loans (Revolving Loan Fund)

assists with the first time purchase of farm real estate and/or the purchase of equipment and livestock. Each qualified applicant is eligible for a $250,000 loan from the Real Estate Loan Program and $250,000 loan from the Chattel Loan Program.

·        Other Family Farm or Farm Agricultural Real Estate refinancing or assistance programs

o   Established Farmer Real Estate Loan Program

o   Family Farm Loan Program

o   Farm and Ranch Participation Program

o   Farm Operating Loan Program

o   Farm Real Estate Loan Guarantee Program

o   First Time Farmer Finance Program

·        Biofuels PACE

(Biofuels Partnership in Assisting Community Expansion) buys down the interest rate on loans to biodiesel and ethanol production facilities, and livestock operations.

·        Livestock Waste Management System Loan Program

reduces or prevents water quality impacts associated with livestock waste by providing low interest financial assistance to livestock producers to install waste management facilities. Eligibility will be determined by approval of applications by the North Dakota Department of Health.

·        PACE (Partnership in Assisting Community Expansion)

One of the most attractive programs, the standard PACE is an interest buy down loan program that is available to primary sector business including manufacturing, data processing, communications, telecommunications and targeted service industries. The PACE Program is available to finance the purchase of equipment or real estate, as well as term working capital. In conjunction with community support, the program provides an interest buy down that can reduce the borrower's overall interest rate.

·        Value-Added Agriculture Equity Loan Program (ENVEST)

provides a below market interest rate for North Dakota farmers and businessmen to purchase shares in start up or expanding agricultural processing facilities.

 

USDA Programs

Programs & Services for Businesses

USDA provides funding opportunities for rural small businesses through loans, loan guarantees, and grants.

·        Advanced Biofuel Payment Program

·        Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program

·        Business & Industry Loan Guarantees

·        Community Connect Grants

·        Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants

·        Distributed Generation Energy Project Financing

·        Energy Resource Conservation

·        Intermediary Relending Program

·        Repowering Assistance Program

·        Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee

·        Rural Business Investment Program

·        Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program

·        Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants

·        Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program

·        Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant

·        Strategic Economic and Community Development

·        Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans & Loan Guarantees

·        Value Added Producer Grants

 

Tax Incentives

·        Business Incentives Database

·        Corporate Income Tax Exemption

·        Property Tax Exemption

·        Sales & Use Tax Exemption

·        Research Expense Credit

 

2017/2018 Tax Incentives for Businesses Brochure

 

ND State Tax Commission Site for Businesses

·        Exemptions/Refunds/Credits for Businesses

North Dakota has a variety of tax exemptions, refunds and credits that are available to businesses (details will be found on the right side, in the pink column).

 

Incentive Certification Forms

Most of North Dakota’s economic development tools and incentives are targeted toward primary sector businesses. Certification does not guarantee receipt of any incentive but being certified as a primary sector business can be an important first step in the process.

·        Primary Sector Certification

Primary sector businesses are individuals, corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, or associations certified by the department of commerce division of economic development and finance which add value to a product, process, or service which results in the creation of new wealth.

 

Business Forms & Licensures

Several North Dakota agencies have worked together to place forms online for easy access. You'll find forms for Sales and Use Tax, Workers' Compensation Insurance, State Unemployment Insurance, State Income Tax Withholding and others.

·        ND eForms   

·        ND New Business Registration Forms

·        ND Secretary of State Business Licenses

·        NDSU Extension Services