SW Reap Zone

In 1995, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under a letter of direction from President Clinton created the Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) Zones. Five zones were created in the nation with two of those zones located in southwestern and north-central North Dakota. They were created to address critical issues related to out-migration, constraints in economic activity and growth, low density settlement patterns, stagnant or declining employment and isolation that led to disconnection from markets, suppliers and centers of information and finance.

The Southwest Rural Economic Area Partnership (SW REAP) is a non-profit corporation operating under the REAP Investment Fund, a 501(c) 3 incorporated within the state of North Dakota. SW REAP has developed a Partnership Fund, and a Micro Loan Fund to be used for the purpose of furthering partnerships, businesses and projects that will positively impact its geographic region - the counties of Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope and Stark. All fund requests must originate in and benefit these SW REAP counties. All proposed projects should meet one of the SW REAP Goals as follows: 

• Utilize the REAP designation to alleviate out-migration 
• Increase job and business opportunities 
• Encourage and participate in partnerships for economic development 

Funding for this project comes from several sources. The SW REAP Board may allocate funds to other work plan areas and may change or redefine these guidelines without notice. Prospective applicants should check with SW REAP to see if funding is available and if the funding guidelines have changed.

For more information, please contact SW REAP or visit their website HERE.