@@USDA Rural Development announced today a series of 12 North Dakota 2.0 community meetings to build on conversations from the successful ND 2.0 Summit held in Bismarck last October. ND 2.0 is an initiative focused on bringing North Dakotans together to make a conscious effort in shaping the future of the state.

“Engaging and listening to communities is pivotal to building a better North Dakota,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Jasper Schneider. “ND 2.0 is an opportunity for North Dakotans to participate in charting out what the future of our great state looks like.”

The public is encouraged to attend and engage in the upcoming meetings. The intent is to receive feedback from a wide cross-section of people leading up to a ND 2.0 Summit this spring in Fargo. By collaborating, North Dakotans can capitalize on the state’s abundance of opportunities while also addressing the challenges.

Details for four of the 12 meetings are listed below. Dates and times for the additional locations will be made available as confirmed at www.nd20.com. Locations will include: Linton, Devils Lake, Grafton, Garrison, Jamestown, Oakes, Dickinson, Bowman, Watford City, Williston, Bottineau, and Belcourt.

The ND 2.0 Summit held last October was developed in cooperation with the following partners: Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, North Dakota Farmers Union, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), NDSU Extension Service Center for Community Vitality, and The Consensus Council. To view data results from the summit, please visit www.nd20.com.

LINTON

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Community Center

DEVILS LAKE

Monday, January 23, 2012

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Lake Region College

GRAFTON

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Marketplace Supper Club

GARRISON

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

The North Shore Inn & Suites