Bismarck, N.D. – Governor Kelly Armstrong has announced the launch of the Grain Storage and Facility Rebuilder Program to assist agricultural producers impacted by recent severe storms, including the June 20-21 events that produced multiple tornadoes and damaging straight-line winds.

The storms caused extensive destruction to grain storage infrastructure, demolishing tens of millions of bushels of capacity and displacing grain bins hundreds of yards from their foundations. Governor Armstrong recently toured the hardest-hit areas near Enderlin, Page, and Hunter to assess damage and hear directly from producers about their urgent need for replacement storage ahead of the upcoming harvest season.

“The Grain Storage and Facility Rebuilder Program will provide an immediate source of low-interest gap financing for producers so they can start ordering temporary or permanent grain storage solutions as they work through their insurance,” Armstrong said. “By quickly replacing storage and other infrastructure, farmers will have more control over when they can market this year’s crop, helping to minimize lost profitability.”

Program details

The program offers two financing options designed to support producers through recovery and reconstruction:

  • Temporary Storage Support: Financing for temporary grain storage solutions and related supplies to ensure continuity during the 2025 harvest. Eligible options include baggers, extractors, hopper bins, and rental grain facilities.

  • Facility Repair & Replacement Assistance: Financing for repair or reconstruction of critical agricultural infrastructure beyond grain storage, such as livestock barns, machine shops, and irrigation pivots. Eligible facilities include flat bottom bins, grain legs, augers, dryers, hoop-barns, calving barns, feed barns, milk parlors, storage sheds, and more.

Loan terms and application

Producers may borrow up to $150,000 without collateral for temporary storage needs related to the 2025 harvest. Collateral requirements may apply if loan amounts exceed 25% of net worth or $500,000, whichever is less. Loan terms include a maximum 24-month duration with a 2% interest rate and annual interest-only payments. Principal and interest are due at loan maturity.

The program is backed by approximately $37 million from the Rebuilders Loan Program, authorized under state disaster law. The Bank of North Dakota (BND) will also work directly with grain elevators affected by storm damage to provide flexible financing options.

Additional loan programs addressing larger-scale grain storage facilities and small business infrastructure losses are under development and will be announced in the coming weeks.

Applications for the Grain Storage and Facility Rebuilder Program open Wednesday, July 9, 2025, and close on December 31, 2025. Producers interested in applying should contact their local financial institutions. Further program details are available at bnd.nd.gov/gsfr.