grants & loans
For questions on grants and loans, contact Shari Flanders, CFO, [email protected] or 701-284-4343
Economic Development Grant
Guidelines:
1. Economic Development funds will be used within the service areas of Polar Communications and its subsidiaries, or in areas where Polar and its subsidiaries maintain an operational presence. Applicants must be current customers of Polar Communications or its subsidiaries or must provide a commitment to become a customer.
2. Authorized funds will be in the form of a grant.
3. Funding shall be limited to one grant per project and shall not exceed $10,000 per project unless otherwise approved by formal Board action. A lifetime funding limit of $25,000 shall apply per entity, regardless of the number of projects.
4. A maximum of $50,000 shall be budgeted per calendar year for Economic Development funding. If the annual funding limit has been exhausted and additional funds have not been approved, applications may be deferred until the next calendar year.
5. Recipients must be tax-exempt entities, which may then disperse the Economic Development funds to a private or public entity in support of eligible activities.
6. Economic Development funds are intended to support initiatives that fulfill a community need and contribute to workforce attraction, retention, or quality of life, thereby enhancing long-term employment viability within the community. Eligible initiatives may include, but are not limited to, projects related to childcare and healthcare facilities, educational institutions, housing and access to essential services such as grocery stores.
7. Generally, the economic funds will not be used for:
- Restructuring existing debt unless it can be demonstrated that the restructuring directly supports employee retention, workforce stability, or prevents the loss of existing employment.
- Establishing a retail activity when the retail services or products are already available within the community.
- Initial feasibility studies.
- Activities that would significantly divert resources from or undermine existing community projects or businesses within the service area of Polar Communications and its subsidiaries.
8. Grant applications will be reviewed and acted upon by the Board of Directors, as appropriate, in a timely manner and in accordance with this policy
Rural Development Revolving Loan Fund
Polar Communications will accept and consider applications to provide financing from the RLF for projects that will significantly benefit rural areas without restriction to the cooperative’s service area. The RLF is intended to provide financing alternatives and leverage other funding sources for new or expanding businesses or community facilities to enhance employment and economic opportunities and as such, requires participation from other sources of financing.
The RLF will not compete with, but rather compliment existing public and private sources of financing for rural development in the area. Polar Communications will not condition the approval of a loan from the RLF with the requirement that the prospective recipient take communication service from Polar Communications Mutual Aid Corporation. No director, general manager, or employee of Polar Communications may benefit or be a recipient of RLF funds.
Rural Development Finance Corporation Grant
The Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) is pleased to announce it has approved a 2026 grant allotment of $2,000 per member-cooperative to be used to support community owned entities, non-profits and community-based projects.
Process:
Complete the application and send it back to Polar to be signed. If your application is selected, it will be forwarded to the RDFC on your behalf for final approval.
Guidlines:
- Eligible projects: community owned businesses (café, grocery store, motel, other); community facilities (such as ambulance services, fire districts, recreation, hospital/clinic, community center, etc.); workforce development or community-based projects (such as school/youth projects) that benefit rural areas and lead to community betterment.
- RDFC does not provide funds for medical fundraisers or general operating costs.
- Matching funds: $4 dollars of other funds to every $1 of RDFC funds. (for example: $8,000 in matching funds needed for a $2,000 grant request)
- Maximum/minimum grant amounts: The minimum grant amount is $1,000; the maximum is $2,000.
- Timeframe: February 11, 2026-November 30, 2026