HOOPLE, ND – An expansion to the Hoople Rural Fire Department’s building and water supply will result in faster response times for emergency calls and lower insurance rates for those residing in the Hoople Rural Fire District. Financing for the project, which is estimated at more than $300,000, includes a $150,000 community capital loan provided by the Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC). Founded in 1994 by North Dakota’s rural electric and telecommunications cooperatives, RDFC helps rural communities grow by offering low-interest financing.

“This community capital loan is an example of RDFC’s commitment and the cooperative principle to help rural communities thrive,” says RDFC President David Sigloh. “In emergency situations, a rapid response is critical. RDFC is proud to be involved with a project that will help save lives.”

The project includes two key components – an expansion of the Hoople Rural Fire Department building and the purchase of a new tank and pump quick fill system. The department’s fire trucks are currently stored in three locations around the city, and trucks are filled from the city water supply at a rate of 150 gallons per minute. The new tank and pump quick fill system will at a rate of 600 gallons per minute.

“In an emergency, every second counts,” says Board President Troy Kittleson, Hoople Rural Fire District. “This expansion will allow the fire department to store all of its equipment under one roof, making it easier for firefighters to quickly respond to emergencies. This project was a large endeavor for our small community. Thankfully, RDFC was able to provide the financing we needed to move forward.”

The Hoople Rural Fire Department is a volunteer fire department that serves the city of Hoople and its five surrounding townships. 

Founded in 1994 by North Dakota’s rural electric and telecommunications cooperatives, the Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) is a nonprofit corporation that encourages economic diversification and community vitality through the generation of funding that supports sustainable asset building. Funding for RDFC programs comes from fee income generated by Dakotas America LLC, a community development entity providing New Market Tax Credits in economically distressed census tracks across the United States. Support is provided by the North Dakota Department of Rural Electric Cooperatives.