Our Mission

Prairie West Development Foundation (PWDF), a non-profit organization, is committed to the growth and ongoing success of the current and future business sectors of Beach, Golva, and Sentinel Butte in Golden Valley County and Billings County in Southwestern North Dakota..

PWDF partners with the City and County Governments, Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. Together we support business education, interest buy downs, assistance in accessing local and state incentive programs, Renaissance Zone and tax incentives available to North Dakota small businesses

PWDF Board Members:

Cory McCaskey - President
David Helsper - Vice President
Cheryl Planert - Treasurer
Duane Maus - Secretary
Marlene Muruato - Director
Debra Walworth-Executive Director

The Prairie West Development Foundation board meets the second Thursday of the month at the Community Learning & Technology Center in Beach at 8:00am.

New Market Tax Credits:

Golden Valley County is elgible for new market tax credits. For more information visit www.dakotasamerica.com . Please note that each project is based on its own merit.

Business Micro Loans:

PWDF has $5,000 Business Micro Loans available! These matching loans are for existing and start-up businesses in Golden Valley or Billings Counties at 2% below prime. Loan funds can only be committed to the extent available. Maximum loan cannot exceed $5,000. For more information contact Deb at 701-872-3121.

Primary Sector Business Certification:

To qualify for New Jobs Training Funds through the ND Job Service you must be complete the application and be accepted as a "primary sector business" for the state of ND.
Primary Sector Business Certification (pdf)

PACE Loan:

This is an interest buy down program funded by local government and the Bank of North Dakota. There are no loan size limitations or set owner equity requirements. Funds can be used for working capital and fixed assets. Loan can be written down to a maximum of 5% below prime. The PACE Fund assists North Dakota communities to expand their economic base by providing for new job development.
PACE Loan

Flex PACE Loan:

The PACE family of programs at BND is designed to encourage specific types of economic activity within the State of North Dakota. In general terms, PACE provides an interest buy down that can reduce the borrower’s rate of interest by as much as 5%. The Flex PACE feature of the PACE program provides interest buy down to borrowers that do not fit into the traditional definition of a PACE qualifying business. Under Flex PACE, the community determines eligibility and accountability standards. Flex PACE allows communities the ability to provide assistance to borrowers with a business focus or need outside of the current requirements of PACE, such as jobs retention, technology creation with no new jobs, retail, smaller tourist businesses and essential community services. Flex Pace Loan

Bank of North Dakota:

Located in Bismarck, ND, this is the only state-owned bank in the nation. Its mission, established by legislative action in 1919, is to encourage and promote agriculture, commerce and industry in North Dakota. In this role, the Bank acts as a funding resource in partnership with other financial institutions, economic development groups and guarantee agencies
Bank of ND

Small Business Development Center:

The Office of Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) provides management assistance to current and prospective small business owners. SBDCs offer one-stop assistance to individuals and small businesses by providing a wide variety of information and guidance in central and easily accessible branch locations. The program is a cooperative effort of the private sector, the educational community and federal, state and local governments and is an integral component of Entrepreneurial Development's network of training and counseling services. The SBDC office is co-located with the Prairie West Devlopment Foundation at 55 1st St SE in Beach, ND. Phone: 701-872-3121
SBDC

Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC):

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.
APUC Info

Workforce 20/20:

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 new to the state, expanding employment in the state, introducing new technologies or introducing new production methods.
Workforce 20/20

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC):

WOTC 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. The Small Business and Work Opportunity Tax Act of 2007 extended this program through August 31, 2011.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit

ND Tax Incentives for Business:

No sales and use taxes on machinery and equipment, utilities; reduced sales tax on natural gas. No interstate sales tax on phone line communication.
ND Tax Incentives for Business (pdf)

SBA 504:

Makes fixed-rate long-term loans on fixed assets. Funding limits (SBA share of loan) are $1,000,000 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 a minimum of 10%.
SBA

North Dakota Roots Program-home ownership:

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 Dakota Roots Program. North Dakota Roots provides new North Dakotans with either a below market interest rate loan or a market interest rate loan that includes down payment and closing costs assistance.
North Dakota Roots Program-home ownership

SCORE:

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 and has 370 chapters throughout the United States and its territories, with 11,200 volunteers nationwide. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors. SCORE was founded in 1964. We are America's premier source of free and confidential small business advice for entrepreneurs. Get FREE Business advice now!

Legal Notice: In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, Prairie West Development Foundation is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write Prairie West Development Foundation, Executive Director, PO Box 784, Beach, ND 58621-0784 or call 701-872-3121.