Community Development Corporation

The Rutland Community Development Corporation (RCDC) was established in 1976 to assist and encourage economic development in the Rutland community. Shares had a par value of $50.00 when issued (Shares in the corporation are available at $50.00 each).  As the purpose of the corporation is to use available capital to assist new and existing businesses, the corporation has never paid a dividend to shareholders. Since its establishment, the RCDC has either financed or participated in financing a number of business, equipment and building acquisitions and improvements in Rutland, including:

• Rutland Oil Co.’s self-service fuel pumps
• Mahrer Construction’s shop building
• Rutland Cafe
• The old Rutland Grocery
• The old Lariat Bar
• Kulzer Feed & Seed
• Alley Cuts
• Anderson Insurance Agency (now part of Waloch-Johnson Insurance Agency)
• Weber Ag Service
• Lunneborg Landscaping
• Coteau des Prairies Lodge
• Jake’s Feed and Seed

Not all of these businesses succeeded, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. The reason that the corporation has never paid a dividend is that all earnings have been retained for use as additional investment capital. The RCDC works with local banks, Lake Agassiz Regional Development Corporation, the Bank of North Dakota and USDA’s Rural Development Agency to obtain the capital needed to keep the wheels of business turning in this community. Individuals with an idea, a plan and a work ethic will find enthusiastic backing in Rutland.

The 2018 Board of Directors include:

• Rodney Erickson, President
• Jill Anderson, Vice-President
• Katie McLaen, Secretary
• Bryce Carlson, Treasurer
• Jake Erickson, Director
• Calvin Jacobson, Director
• Cam Gulleson, Director

2018 Annual Meeting: The RCDC met at 7:00 p.m. on February 24, at the Rutland Senior Center. The Lariat Bar is up on the loan. The Rutland General Store owner is interested in selling the building. The corporation's shareholders re-elected Jake Erickson and Calvin Jacbson to 3-year terms on the Board of Directors and elected Cam Gulleson to fill the term of Sam Gillespie. Following the shareholders' meeting, the Board of Directors met to reorganize. [Current officers shown above.]

2017 Annual Meeting: The RCDC held its 42^nd annual meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21, in the Rutland Senior Center. The corporation’s financial report showed approximately $27,600.00 available for investment in community business and economic development projects. The corporation’s shareholders re-elected Rodney Erickson and Katie McLaen to 3 year terms on the Board of Directors. Shareholders also approved participation of the RCDC in the purchase of the Lariat Bar by Mike Pyle and Jeremy Becker from Bradley & Rebecca Christensen, and authorized the Board of Directors to take whatever actions are necessary to complete the transaction as soon as possible. Nathan Berseth, a consultant with the Sargent County Job Development Authority (JDA) discussed various financing options available to the RCDC. He also discussed the Sargent County JDA’s housing incentive program that is aimed at increasing the number of single family residences in Sargent County while providing job opportunities for skilled workers in the building trades. The housing incentive program is just one of the economic development projects in which the JDA is engaged.  Following the shareholders’ meeting, the Board of Directors met to reorganize. Current Officers and Directors are: Bryce Carlson, President; Rodney Erickson, Vice-President; Katie McLaen, Secretary/Treasurer; Jill Anderson, Director; Jake Erickson, Director; Josh Nelson, Director; and, Calvin Jacobson, Director.