CDRP Resource Directory

North Dakota Department of Commerce 

Your primary hub for community and economic development programs, including grants, planning support, and technical assistance. 
https://www.commerce.nd.gov/services-assistance/grant-programs  

Commerce Connection Newsletter 

Stay informed on new grants, loans, webinars, and statewide opportunities as they are released throughout the year. 
https://www.commerce.nd.gov/newsroom/commerce-connection  

ND Gateway 

A centralized starting point for businesses, offering guidance on licensing, taxes, workforce programs, and planning tools. Includes connections to multiple state agencies and a step-by-step business checklist.
https://ndgateway.nd.gov/gsp?id=gw_business  

NDSU Extension 

Provides research, reports, workshops, and leadership development resources that strengthen community planning, civic engagement, and local leadership capacity. These resources include tools for grant writing, community assessments, and facilitated learning around strategic planning and civic leadership.
https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/extension-topics/leadership-and-civic-engagement 

North Dakota Department of Commerce 

Supports community planning and long-term visioning through programs such as Partners in Planning and Community of the Future. Provides funding and technical assistance to help communities assess needs, plan projects, and prepare for future growth. 
https://www.commerce.nd.gov/community-services/community-development-rural-prosperity   

North Dakota League of Cities 

Provides training, technical assistance, and advocacy for North Dakota municipalities, including resources on local governance, planning, ordinances, and community development best practices.
https://www.ndlc.org  

Economic Development Administration (EDA) 

Offers grants, technical assistance, and planning support for economic development projects, with a focus on supporting innovation, infrastructure, and job creation in distressed and rural communities.
https://www.eda.gov 

North Dakota Small Business Development Centers 

Offer no-cost, confidential advising for entrepreneurs and business owners, including business planning, financial projections, and growth strategy.
https://ndsbdc.org

North Dakota Women's Business Center 

Provides training, advising, and support specifically for women entrepreneurs, including business planning, financing guidance, and networking opportunities.
https://ndwbc.com  

Bank of North Dakota 

Provides flexible financing tools, including participation loans and interest buydown programs such as PACE and Flex PACE.
https://bnd.nd.gov/loans/business/pace-program
https://bnd.nd.gov/loans/business/flex-pace-program  

North Dakota Development Fund 

Delivers flexible gap financing through loans and equity investments for new and expanding primary sector businesses.
https://www.commerce.nd.gov/economic-development-finance/development-fund  

Dakota Business Lending – The Vault 

A centralized resource hub offering tools, guidance, and financing information for small businesses, including access to loan programs and development support. Designed to help entrepreneurs navigate funding options and grow sustainably.
https://vaultnd.com  

U.S. Small Business Administration 

Offers federal loan guarantees, disaster assistance, and small business support programs. 
https://www.sba.gov 

North Dakota Department of Transportation 

Oversees statewide transportation planning, funding, and project development, including roads, bridges, and multimodal systems.
https://www.dot.nd.gov  

North Dakota Department of Water Resources 

Supports water supply, flood control, and infrastructure planning through technical assistance and funding programs.
https://www.dwr.nd.gov  

Bank of North Dakota 

Provides low-interest loans for infrastructure projects, including water and wastewater systems, municipal facilities, and other community development needs. This program helps communities finance essential improvements while leveraging local resources effectively. 
https://bnd.nd.gov/loans/infrastructure/water-infrastructure-revolving-loan-fund 
https://bnd.nd.gov/loans/infrastructure/bnd-infrastructure-loan-fund 

North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality 

Administers water quality programs and State Revolving Fund (SRF) financing for water and wastewater infrastructure.
https://deq.nd.gov  

North Dakota Public Finance Authority 

Provides financing and bonding support for infrastructure and essential public facility projects.
https://pfa.nd.gov  

USDA Rural Development 

Funds water systems, wastewater infrastructure, and community facilities in rural areas. 
https://www.rd.usda.gov/nd 

North Dakota Department of Commerce 

Offers housing-related grants and supports workforce housing initiatives tied to community development. 
https://www.commerce.nd.gov/community-services  

North Dakota Housing Finance Agency 

Supports affordable housing development, homeownership, and rental assistance through financing and tax credit programs. 
https://www.ndhfa.org  

USDA Rural Development 

Provides loans and grants for rural housing development and rehabilitation. 
https://www.rd.usda.gov/nd  

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 

Provides grants, loans, and technical support for affordable housing, community planning, infrastructure improvements, and neighborhood revitalization.
https://www.hud.gov 

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services 

Oversees childcare licensing, workforce support, and funding programs to expand access and quality.
https://www.hhs.nd.gov  

Child Care Aware of North Dakota 

Provides training, technical assistance, and resources for childcare providers and families. 
https://www.ndchildcare.org   

North Dakota Department of Commerce 

Supports community-based childcare solutions connected to workforce and economic development needs. 
https://www.commerce.nd.gov/workforce 

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services 

Leads statewide public health programs and supports rural healthcare access and workforce development. 
https://www.hhs.nd.gov  

Rural Health Transformation Program 

Supports innovative approaches to improving care delivery, health outcomes, and cost efficiency in rural communities. 
https://www.hhs.nd.gov/rural-health-transformation  

Center for Rural Health 

Provides research, technical assistance, and grant support to strengthen rural health systems. 
https://ruralhealth.und.edu 

North Dakota Department of Commerce 

Offers grants and support for historic venues, performing arts spaces, and cultural tourism projects, including opera houses, theaters, and other public gathering spaces that enhance community identity and economic vitality. Communities may also leverage tools like the Renaissance Zone Program to encourage investment, redevelopment, and revitalization in designated downtown areas. 
https://www.commerce.nd.gov  

North Dakota Council on the Arts 

Funds arts programming and creative placemaking efforts that enhance community identity and vibrancy. 
https://www.arts.nd.gov  

State Historical Society of North Dakota 

Supports historic preservation, cultural resources, and heritage tourism. 
https://history.nd.gov  

Main Street America 

Provides national frameworks, training, and tools for downtown revitalization efforts. 
https://www.mainstreet.org 

North Dakota Department of Agriculture 

Supports producers through grants, marketing programs, and value-added agriculture initiatives. 
https://www.ndda.nd.gov  

USDA Rural Development 

Funds rural businesses, food systems, and agricultural infrastructure projects. 
https://www.rd.usda.gov/nd  

North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives 

Represents rural electric co-ops and supports energy infrastructure and community development initiatives across the state. 
https://www.ndarec.com  

NDSU Extension 

Provides education, outreach, and technical assistance for agriculture and community development. 
https://www.ndsu.edu/extension 

North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department 

Provides guidance, grants, and technical support for public trails, parks, and recreational facilities, helping communities enhance access to outdoor spaces and wellness initiatives. 
https://www.parkrec.nd.gov  

AARP Community Challenge Grants 

Provides funding for “quick-action” projects that improve public spaces, promote social engagement, and strengthen community livability, particularly benefiting older residents. 
https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/community-challenge 

US Forest Service 

Offers technical assistance, grants, and programs to support urban and community forestry projects, including tree planting, landscaping, and green space development. 
https://www.fs.usda.gov/places/urban-forests  

U.S. National Park Service 

Supports conservation, historic preservation, and community engagement initiatives, including partnerships to enhance parks, historic sites, and public lands. 
https://www.nps.gov/getinvolved/community-programs.htm  

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) 

Provides grants and resources to support public art projects, community arts programs, and cultural initiatives that contribute to vibrant, thriving communities. 
https://www.arts.gov  

National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) 

Offers grants for projects that preserve and interpret cultural heritage, support local history programs, and enhance public understanding of the humanities in communities. 
https://www.neh.gov 

North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission 

Serves as a liaison between the state and Tribal nations, providing guidance on government-to-government relations, community development initiatives, and Tribal-specific programs. 
https://indianaffairs.nd.gov  

USDA Rural Development 

Provides loans, grants, and technical assistance for housing, infrastructure, and business development on Tribal lands. 
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs/tribal-programs