North Dakota Department of Commerce

Bismarck, N.D. -- The North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC) approved $484,841 in funding to 11 agricultural projects at its quarterly meeting in Grafton on May 18.

Projects funded are:

S. F. Industries, Inc., Hope, was awarded $56,585 for nationwide retail marketing of Full Charge™ and Supercharged™ Sunflower Seeds.

NSB Valhalla, Minot, was awarded $53,500 to refine the technology and manufacturing process for an ag-based waste by-product to be utilized as a commercially viable pellet-based heating source for use in residential, commercial and agricultural applications.

Oakes Enhancement Inc., and Great River Energy was awarded $61,000 for a site design study to locate a bio-energy industrial park in Dickey-LaMoure Counties. Multiple facilities will be integrated together such as a biodiesel, ethanol and other agriculture processing facilities along with a combined heat and power plant.

Williston Area Development Foundation 03, Williston, was awarded $100,000 to determine a specific site for a frozen potatoes processing facility. The study will address energy, water, waste water and transportation issues.

North American Bison Cooperative, New Rockford, was awarded $25,000 to increase its production capacity to process 50,000 head of bison and beef annually within the next five years.

NDSU Department of Plant Science, Fargo was awarded $25,156 to compare crop performance and fruit quality of 16 grape cultivars for both wine and juice. Collected data on winter hardiness, biomass and health will be compared and additional tests will determine phytochemical concentrations to provide insight into the human nutritional value of locally grown grapes.

Glovich Hunting Lodge, Moffit, was awarded $3,000 for website design and brochures.

Tharaldson Ethanol Plant I, LLC, was awarded $100,000 for development of a 100 million gallon-per-year ethanol plant located west of Casselton in Cass County. The plant is expected to produce ethanol from corn using approximately 36 million bushels per year.

NDSU Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics, Fargo, was awarded $25,600 for a project to use abundant agricultural by-products in order to produce an improved fiberglass-like composite material with potential application for the automotive industry.

Duppong Vine & Vineyard, Glen Ullin, was awarded $10,000 to develop an on-farm vineyard with future plans of expanding into a nursery business.

US Omega3 Foods, Wheatland, was awarded $25,000 to launch a progressive in-state and regional multimedia campaign introducing a new line of value-added products made from flax and produced in North Dakota.

APUC’s next meeting will be held in Minot, July 26-27. The deadline for grant applications is July 1.

The North Dakota Department of Commerce works to improve the state’s quality of life by leading efforts to attract, retain and expand wealth. Commerce serves businesses and communities statewide through committed people and partners who offer valuable programs and dynamic service.

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