News : Historic Community Benefits Agreement for Wind Project Secures Unprecedented Benefits for North Dakota Counties
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 19, 2025
CONTACTS:
Mark Hefflinger, Bold Alliance, mark@boldalliance.org
Sean Arithson, Dakota Resource Council, sean@drcinfo.com
Mike Graalum, Dakota Resource Council, mike@drcinfo.com
Historic Community Benefits Agreement for Wind Project Secures Unprecedented Benefits for North Dakota Counties
Breakthrough ‘Community Benefits Agreement’ will distribute over $22 million to fund local early childcare and elder care programs, and fund restoration of community theater
Bismarck, ND – Bold Energy Builders and Dakota Resource Council applauded the signing of a historic Community Benefits Agreement for a new wind energy development project that will deliver more than $22 million to local communities in rural North Dakota.
The deal signed today between developer PRC Wind and the New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation (NRABC) includes a breakthrough Community Benefits Agreement, which will see nearby landowners who are not hosting wind turbines also receive payments, while the local community will receive millions to fund local early childcare and elder care programs, as well as the restoration of a beloved community theater.
“This is a great example of how the public and private sectors can work together to create economic development projects with broadly shared benefits within the host community,” said Bold Energy Builders Field Organizer Michael Graalum. “The folks from Minnkota Power Cooperative, PRC Wind and Eddy and Wells Counties should be very proud of what they have accomplished here over the last several years. It has been an honor to have served my small part, and we at Bold hope that this project becomes the gold standard for future energy development in North Dakota.”
“New Rockford and PRC worked together to ensure that landowners’ and community needs were front and center in the development of a wind project that delivers American-made energy to North Dakota and Minnesota,” said Jane Kleeb, Bold Founder and Executive Director. “Bold and our allied partner, the Dakota Resource Council, believe America is on the cusp of building the next 100 years of our energy future. Rural communities deserve a real seat at the table—with more money left in people’s pockets and an authentic voice in key decisions, from decommissioning plans to dividends for landowners living near energy projects.”
The Bold Energy Builders project organizes unlikely alliances with the goal of justly building more clean energy, providing education, training, legal, communications and organizing support to rural communities who want to see more clean energy built in their towns. At the center of the Energy Builders project is working with local residents to develop Community Benefits Agreements, including an American Energy Dividend to those that live in the viewshed of wind and solar. We believe more money in people’s pockets, while adding more American-made energy on the grid, can change the game in rural America – putting those who live on the land and in our rural towns in the driver’s seat. We are looking at America’s next 100 years of energy.
About Bold Energy Builders
Bold’s Energy Builders Project provides education, training, legal, communications, and organizing support to rural communities that want to see more clean energy built in their towns. (https://boldenergybuilders.us)
About Bold
Bold is a network of “small and mighty” groups in rural states working to protect land and water. We fight fossil fuel projects, protect landowners against eminent domain abuse, and work for clean energy solutions while building an engaged base of citizens who care about the land, water, and climate change. (https://boldalliance.org)
About Dakota Resource Council
Formed in 1978, Dakota Resource Council grew out of existing organizing efforts responding to impacts from coal development. DRC works with communities across the state to organize around the common goals of securing a thriving North Dakota and putting people first. Members take action to create public awareness and shape public policy to ensure safe and responsible development, protect North Dakota’s agricultural economy, and establish a foundation for a just transition to a diverse energy economy. (drcinfo.org)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Amanda Hegland
Executive Director
New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation
(701) 947-2205
nrabcexec@gmail.com
New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation Finalize Agreement with
Flickertail Wind to Deliver Substantial Local Investments
Multi-million dollar funding will support Rockford Theatre renovation, community
development, health and safety and conservation across Wells and Eddy Counties
NEW ROCKFORD, N.D. — The New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation (NRABC) announced today that it has finalized a Community Benefit Agreement with PRC Wind and the Flickertail Wind Project, securing new long-term investments that will strengthen local communities and support priority projects across Wells and Eddy Counties.
This agreement, shaped through months of conversations with area leaders, residents, and partner organizations, reflects a shared commitment to the future of the region. It follows Flickertail Wind’s recent permit submissions and underscores the project’s intention to be a positive, lasting presence in the communities it will call home.
Under the agreement, Flickertail will make several one-time contributions tied to key project milestones. These early investments will support local priorities including the Rockford Theatre renovation in New Rockford, community improvements in Sheyenne and Fessenden, and initiatives focused on economic growth, public health, and safety services. If any funds cannot be used for their intended purposes within 24 months, NRABC and Flickertail will work together to redirect the dollars to similar community-benefit efforts.
The agreement also establishes a dependable, long-term source of funding for the region. Beginning one year after the project’s commercial operation date, Flickertail will make quarterly payments based on the project’s installed megawatt capacity. These payments will continue until the project ceases commercial operation, the 25th anniversary of the operation date or termination of the agreement.
Paul White, CEO and President of PRC Wind, said the agreement reflects PRC’s commitment to building projects that strengthen the communities where it works. “This agreement is the result of countless conversations with residents, landowners and local leaders who want to see real, visible benefits from projects in their backyard,” White said. “Investments in places New Rockford, Fessenden and Sheyenne, combined with ongoing support for local services and long-term conservation, show exactly how a community-driven project should function. We are grateful for the partnership with NRABC and remain committed to ensuring Flickertail delivers lasting value for the region.”
Amanda Hegland, Executive Director of the New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation, led the development of the agreement on behalf of the community. “This is an unprecedented opportunity for a rural community like ours, both in scope and long- term impact, to secure an agreement of this magnitude,” Hegland said. “This is truly a landmark moment for our region. This agreement gives our communities a financial foundation we simply don’t see very often in rural North Dakota,” Hegland added. “These dollars will help us update essential services, strengthen the places where families live and gather, and support projects that make our towns welcoming to new residents and businesses. The combination of early contributions and long-term payments allows us to plan ahead with confidence and to invest in ways that keep community needs at the center.”
“Minnkota is proud to partner with PRC Wind on the Flickertail Wind Farm and to support an approach that puts local communities at the heart of the project,” said Mac McLennan, Minnkota President and CEO. “This Community Benefit Agreement reflects a shared commitment to ensuring the people of Wells and Eddy Counties see meaningful, lasting value from this development. Through both early contributions and sustained investment, the project is designed to deliver benefits that endure for decades to come.”
As the permitting process continues, NRABC and the Flickertail Wind team will work together to share information about the Community Benefit Agreement and gather community input to help guide future investments.
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About New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation (NRABC)
Website: https://www.cityofnewrockford.com/nrabc
NRABC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation established in 1990. The NRABC actively promotes economic and community development in New Rockford, North Dakota, to aid in the generation of tax revenues and to improve the overall sustainability and quality of life for residents and businesses in the community.
About Flickertail Wind, LLC:
Website: Flickertailwind.com
Flickertail Wind, LLC represents a 400 MW wind energy development project in Wells & Eddy Counties, ND. The project was born out of efforts of the NRABC and spinoff community task force WE-Wind, with development support from PRC Wind.
About PRC Wind
Website: PRCWind.com
PRC Wind (PRC stands for “Project Resources Company”) is a locally-owned Midwest energy development company with over 27 years of experience successfully delivering cost-effective, community-based and ag-friendly projects designed to meet the energy needs of electrical utilities. PRC Wind specializes in providing development solutions for greenfield and repower energy projects and currently is working on energy projects with five North Dakota communities.
About Minnkota Power Cooperative
Website: Minnkota.com
Minnkota Power Cooperative is a not-for-profit electric generation and transmission cooperative headquartered in Grand Forks, N.D. Formed in 1940, Minnkota provides wholesale electric energy to 11 member-owner distribution cooperatives located in eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. These members serve more than 166,000 consumer accounts in a 34,500 square-mile area, including many of the region’s homes, farms, schools and businesses. Minnkota is committed to delivering safe, reliable, cost-effective and sustainable electricity to its membership.
