A new initiative aimed at boosting North Dakota's agricultural sector was introduced during the Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee meeting on March 20, 2025. House Bill 1332 seeks to establish a value-added agriculture facility incentive program, with a proposed funding amount of $30 million.

The bill, presented by Representative Jared Haggart, builds upon existing agricultural development programs and aims to enhance the state's capacity for agricultural processing. It is designed to attract new construction projects that meet specific criteria, including a minimum capital investment of $350 million and the ability to produce new agricultural products or variants that increase domestic supply.

To qualify for funding, projects must be located within North Dakota, leverage regional agricultural producer investments, and demonstrate an estimated economic contribution of at least $20 million once operational. The funding mechanism will operate as a reimbursement grant, where entities can receive 50% of the grant upon completion of construction and the remaining funds once they reach 50% of their production capacity.

The Bank of North Dakota will facilitate the funding process, extending a line of credit to support the program. A sunset clause is included, setting an expiration date for the initiative on June 30, 2029.

This bill represents a significant step towards enhancing agricultural infrastructure in North Dakota, potentially leading to increased economic growth and job creation in the sector. The committee is expected to hear further testimonies and discussions regarding the bill in the coming sessions, highlighting its importance to the state's agricultural future.