Primary Sector Business Certification

Most of the state's economic development tools and incentives are targeted toward primary sector businesses. In fact, legislation for several of these incentives specifies that a business must be 'certified' as a primary sector business by the director of the Economic Development & Finance Division of the North Dakota Department of Commerce. 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.

North Dakota Department of Commerce

1600 E. Century Ave., Suite 2
Bismarck, ND 58503

Phone: 701.328.5300

https://www.business.nd.gov/forms/IncentiveCertificationForms/

Category: Financial

The Commission promotes the development of new and expanded uses of North Dakota Agricultural products. APUC provides grants for research, feasibility studies and marketing for agricultural and value-added projects. Learn More
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New or expanded businesses or enterprises may negotiate for up to five years full of partial exemption from local property taxes. A second five-year exemption may apply if the business uses agricultural products grown in North Dakota.
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The South Central Dakota Regional Council currently has up to $500,000 available in this low-cost financing option. Like other funding sources, the number of jobs created would have a bearing on the amount of accessible funds. Learn More
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The mission of Dakota Business Lending is all about cultivating the success of businesses in North Dakota and western Minnesota. We do this by providing exceptional financing solutions in a supportive and creative environment delivered by dedicated, experienced lending staff who strive to grow the economy...
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An EB-5 Regional Center is a job creation visa program (created by Congress in 1990) that is administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The purpose of an EB-5 Regional Center is to stimulate economic development, create jobs and improve regional productivity through direct...
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The City of Jamestown and Stutsman County have a combined Economic Development Fund which is a multimillion-dollar economic development program available to assist with expanding or relocating business. As part of financial packages, the Jamestown Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC) makes direct loans, equity investments, and...
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This program is designed to assist in the financing of affordable multi-family housing units for individuals in areas of North Dakota affected by oil and gas development.  Learn more
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No sales and use taxes on machinery and equipment, utilities; reduced sales tax on natural gas. No interstate sales tax on phone line communication.
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The purpose of the Red River Corridor Fund (RRCF) is to create jobs by helping small businesses across North Dakota access capital. The RRCF is funded by the U.S. Department of Treasury as part of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program through the...
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Funded and administered by the state, this fund provides "gap financing" through loans and equity investments not available from most conventional lenders and is available to any primary-sector business with the exception of production agriculture. The Development Fund also administers the Regional Rural Revolving Loan...
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Provides incentives to businesses that are creating new employment opportunities through business expansion and relocation to the state. The program provides primary sector business with no-cost funding to help offset the cost of training new employees. The North Dakota New Jobs Training Program provides for...
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Owning your own home and establishing roots in a community are very much a part of the American dream. The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) is pleased to be able to help new and returning North Dakotans achieve their American Dream through our North...
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When it comes to economic and business development, one more resource never hurt, click on the link to find out more information about a program that is offered exclusively by Northern Plains Electric Cooperative to bolster commerce in its service area (which extends from south...
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The PACE Fund helps communities expand their economic base. The program has two elements: Participation by BND with a local lender in a community-based loan Participation by the PACE Fund with the local community to reduce the borrower’s interest rate.
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North Dakota Century Code (N.D.C.C.) § 57-02-08(35) provides a discretionary exemption for certain new single family residential properties and condominium and townhouse properties from property taxes for the first two taxable years after the taxable year in which construction is completed, the residence is owned...
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Makes fixed-rate long-term loans on fixed assets. Funding limits (SBA share of loan) are $5,000,000 or 40% of project cost whichever is less. Interest rate on SBA share is US Treasury note plus 1%. SBA will take a second mortgage and requires owner equity of...
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SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SCORE is headquartered in Herndon, VA and Washington, DC...
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The State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) is a pilot trade and export initiative authorized by the federal Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. The North Dakota Trade Office (NDTO) was awarded a competitive STEP grant of $671,437 to help increase international exports from North...
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The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is a federally funded program designed to encourage employers in the private sector to hire qualified job seekers (from nine target groups) who face barriers to gainful employment. Learn More
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A program to assist North Dakota businesses and industries in retraining and upgrading worker's skills to meet demands of new technologies and work methods. Workforce 20/20 provides funding assistance to businesses to offset training costs for current workers and new employees when the business is...
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