From left to right: NDSU Extension disaster coordinator Miranda Meehan, The Arthur Companies CEO James Burgum, Steve Johnson, farmer from Page, N.D., Gov. Armstrong (Rusty Halvorson/KFGO News)
FARGO (KFGO) – North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong on Tuesday announced a Grain Storage and Facility Rebuilder Program to help agricultural producers quickly replace grain storage that was lost in recent severe storms, including storms on June 20-21 that spawned over a dozen tornadoes and derecho straight-line winds.
Under the “Grain Storage and Facility Rebuilder Program” financing is available for temporary storage solutions – like baggers, hopper bins and rental of grain facilities.
Financing is also available for the repair or reconstruction of critical agricultural structures, including livestock barns, irrigation pivots and machine shops.
At a press conference at the Peltier Complex on the North Dakota State University campus on Tuesday, Armstrong said, “This is nowhere near enough, we’re not going to make people in the valley whole. But hopefully, this will help people survive what can only be – hopefully for all of our sakes – a once in a lifetime storm.”
Under the program, impacted producers may access up to $150,000 for temporary storage support for the 2025 harvest season with no collateral. Interested producers should reach out to their local financial institution for full details.
The Bank of North Dakota will also coordinate directly with grain elevators impacted by recent storm damage to offer flexible financing options that support reconstruction efforts.
James Burgum, CEO of The Arthur Companies, says “It’s a great first step. I know there’s a lot more that, you know, individual farm operations and us as an industry are going to have to do, but it’s a good first step and it’s really gratifying to see how quickly our state can respond to a situation like this.”
Approximately $37 million is available through the Grain Storage and Facility Rebuilder Program, which stems from the Rebuilders Loan Program authorized under state law when the governor declares a disaster in the state.
Additional loan programs aimed at addressing broader infrastructure losses, including large-scale grain storage facilities and small businesses, are currently in development and will be announced in the coming weeks.
To access the Grain Storage and Facility Rebuilder Program, producers should contact their local financial institution to submit an application. The program application period will open on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 and close on December 31, 2025. More information on the program from BND can be found at bnd.nd.gov/gsfr.
News release from Gov. Armstrong’s office, Rusty Halvorson reporting
Comments