March 27, 2026
Industrial Commission announces $100M in additional loan funding for Farm Stability Program
The state Industrial Commission allocated an additional $100 million to support Bank of North Dakota’s (BND) 2026 Farm Financial Stability Loan Program. This brings total support to producers, including the 2026 Grain Inventory Loan Program, to $500 million.
“Producers are facing an unusual convergence of challenges, from severe weather last summer to high input costs, trade policy uncertainty and low commodity prices. This additional loan funding ensures producers’ financial needs are supported for the 2026 growing season,” the Industrial Commission said in a joint statement. The Industrial Commission, comprised of Gov. Kelly Armstrong as chairman, Attorney General Drew Wrigley and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, oversees BND.
The 2026 Farm Financial Stability Loan Program is designed for ag producers with an operating shortfall in 2024 or 2025. It can be used to replenish working capital, term out operating carryover or restructure existing term debts. The loans have a fixed interest rate of 3.75% for five years for BND’s share. The local lender’s share of the loan may not exceed BND’s Base Rate plus 1%.
The program is offered through BND, and ag producers should consult with their local lender, who will handle the application process. The program application period will close June 30, 2026, or when funding for the program is exhausted, whichever comes first.
More information on the two loan programs can be found at bnd.nd.gov/ffslp and bnd.nd.gov/gilp.
The Industrial Commission also reopened a short-term, low-interest loan program for North Dakota residents who are furloughed federal government employees in the Department of Homeland Security, including Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. More information on the program from BND can be found at bnd.nd.gov/fferp.
 Job Service ND Executive Director Pat Bertagnolli to retire in June; Armstrong thanks him for service
Gov. Armstrong thanked Job Service North Dakota Executive Director Pat Bertagnolli for his leadership of the agency over the past four years after Bertagnolli announced his retirement effective June 12.
“Pat brought an unmatched energy and enthusiasm to Job Service. Whether here in North Dakota or traveling outside the state, he was quick to tell anyone and everyone about our abundant job opportunities and great communities,” Armstrong said. “Under Pat’s leadership, Job Service made significant strides in removing barriers to employment and helping job seekers find employers. He went the extra mile to inform students about the quality career opportunities right here at home and address workforce needs through a variety of programs. We deeply appreciate Pat’s service and wish him all the best in his next chapter.”
Bertagnolli has led Job Service since February 2022. During his tenure, the Job Service team worked collaboratively to advance workforce priorities and deliver strong outcomes for the state, earning strong rankings nationally for both the Workforce Services and Unemployment Insurance divisions. The agency’s partnership with the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation continued to strengthen the Job Placement Partnership, while the H‑2A temporary agricultural visa program also expanded significantly.
Under Bertagnolli’s leadership, the Job Service team also enhanced employer resources through a growing collection of webinars focused on work‑based learning, labor market information, veteran hiring and opportunities for justice‑involved individuals, and helped establish a Legislative Open House to strengthen connections between lawmakers and state agencies. Through his service on the state Career & Technical Education Board, Job Service supported youth engagement and worked to align agency efforts with the governor’s workforce priorities.
“It has been a privilege to serve the people of North Dakota and to work with the exceptional team at Job Service North Dakota,” Bertagnolli said. “The advancements made in recent years reflect their unwavering commitment to reliable service and the robust partnerships that connect agencies, communities and employers statewide. I remain sincerely grateful for Gov. Armstrong’s leadership, for the collaboration that enabled this work and for the relationships that have been strengthened throughout North Dakota.”
Bertagnolli has served on the state’s Workforce Development Council since 2014. Prior to joining Job Service, he served as director of the Rough Rider Center and community enhancement in Watford City for three years and worked in human resources management for eight years after a 22-year career with UPS.
The search for a new Job Service executive director will begin immediately.
North Dakota sends firefighting aid to Nebraska, SD; warns about growing fire conditions in state
Nebraska Public Media photo by Nathan Moore
North Dakota is supporting the Nebraska wildfire fight by sending two North Dakota National Guard 600-gallon “Bambi Buckets” for aerial firefighting via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
Additionally, the North Dakota Forest Service sent an engine and three firefighters to assist crews battling the Qury Fire in South Dakota’s Black Hills.
“When our neighbors ask for help, North Dakota answers the call, just as other states have come to our aid in times of crisis,” Gov. Armstrong said. “We thank and pray for the success and safety of our firefighters and all those putting themselves in harm’s way to protect life and property from these wildfires.”
North Dakota state agencies are monitoring the situations in Nebraska and South Dakota closely and stand ready to offer support as requested through various state-to-state compacts including EMAC.
The conditions so far this year have produced significant, even historic, events across Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and South Dakota. As winter recedes, these conditions can be expected to continue moving northward. As of March 19, North Dakota had 58 wildland fires reported so far this year, with much of the southwest experiencing periods of high fire danger.
The state has already convened Fire Readiness Level calls with state agencies and partners to ensure staff and equipment are prepositioned as conditions warrant and are prepared to offer surge support as requested by local, tribal, and federal departments and agencies.
North Dakotans can mitigate the risks of wildland fire by monitoring the fire danger in your area as well as abiding local burn restrictions in place. You should always learn before you burn at NDResponse.gov/burn.
For landowners considering burning piles this spring:
- Check conditions and restrictions--learn before you burn at NDResponse.gov/burn
- Burn only on days with low wind as piles can and do reignite in the wind, sometimes days later
- Create a 10-foot cleared mineral perimeter
- Create compact piles of natural debris no bigger than 4x4x4 feet
- Always keep watch over the fire as it burns
- Recheck piles days after burning to ensure embers are extinguished.
North Dakota National Guard members to support safety mission in Washington, D.C.
Approximately 60 North Dakota Army National Guard Soldiers will support the District of Columbia National Guard under Joint Task Force-DC starting in April to help increase safety in the nation's capital.
“Safeguarding the citizens, federal workers and elected leaders in our nation’s capital is a matter of national security, and we appreciate these Soldiers volunteering for this important mission,” Gov. Armstrong said. “We know they will represent our state with the skill and professionalism that military leaders everywhere have come to expect from the North Dakota National Guard.”
Most Soldiers are from the 131st Military Police Battalion, which is headquartered in Bismarck.
“I am extremely proud of our Soldiers who took on this mission,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general. “They will assist the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and Federal law enforcement partners. Our North Dakotans will be part of a great team with fellow Guardsmen from other states.”
Starting on Aug. 11, 2025, several states activated members of their National Guards to support local and federal law enforcement in the District of Columbia. This initiative supports the President’s Executive Order 14333, which declared a crime emergency in the District of Columbia.
The support is a federal mission under the command of the D.C. National Guard, which supports civilian agencies and local law enforcement to reduce crime and minimize property damage.
Their mission is expected to last three months.
IN OTHER NEWS
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Gov. Armstrong addressed the Wahpeton Community Development Corp.'s annual meeting, highlighting progress made on value-added agricultural processing and industrial development in the Wahpeton area, as well as the need to address housing availability and other challenges. |
Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden spoke with students attending the American Indian Higher Education Consortium in Bismarck, reaffirming the state's commitment to working with tribal leaders and tribal colleges to address challenges and identify opportunities for collaboration.
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Gov. Armstrong spoke about leadership to students attending TeenPact, a nonprofit leadership school for 13- to 19-year-olds that happens in all 50 states.
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Lt. Gov. Strinden visited Dorothy Moses Elementary School in Bismarck, reading to students and answering questions about her role in state government.
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First Lady Kjersti Armstrong spoke at two naturalization ceremonies in Fargo, sharing her perspective as a naturalized U.S. citizen from Norway. A total of 186 people from 43 countries took the oath of citizenship in the two ceremonies.
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North Dakota homeowners need to reapply for the Primary Residence Credit each year. Submit your application by the April 1, 2026, deadline to potentially receive up to $1,600 off your next property tax statement.
Apply at tax.nd.gov/prc
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