This July, our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence – a milestone that set our country on a path of opportunity.
At North Dakota Living, this issue highlights our place in the American story, recognizing the contributions that have shaped our identity over generations.
North Dakota’s abundant natural resources create tremendous opportunities. Our central location in North America helps, too. Pair that with our rural spirit, commitment to each other and good old-fashioned common sense, and we don’t just contribute; we lead in energy, agriculture, broadband connectivity, security and more. You’ll find those stories in this issue.
This year also marks another important milestone: the 90th anniversary of the Rural Electrification Act, signed into law on May 20, 1936. It was one of the most impactful pieces of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, providing low-cost federal loans to bring electricity to rural people across the country.
Powering every farm, ranch and rural home was seen as overly ambitious and too costly, something private electric companies at the time were not willing to take on. Yet, rural grit, matched with practical support, made it happen. Neighbors worked together. Communities pulled in the same direction, and what once felt out of reach became one of the most transformative efforts in our nation’s history.
Electrification improved daily life, powered economic growth, strengthened agriculture and helped build the rural way of life we know today, creating an incredible system that would have been difficult for early trailblazers to imagine. Like the founding of our nation, success didn’t happen by accident. It was built through trust, cooperation and a shared commitment to something bigger. It took patience, long-term thinking and a willingness to keep moving forward, even when the path was not always clear.
Much of what we enjoy today exists because others were willing to look beyond what was familiar and toward what was possible. Foundational investments in roads, bridges, pipelines, fiber and electric systems connect communities, drive growth and create opportunities. When done right, the impact lasts for generations.
As you celebrate Independence Day, take a moment to pause and, as you step into the air conditioning for a break from the summer heat or reach for a cold beverage – both made possible by electricity – consider not only the freedoms we enjoy, but also the efforts that have improved our quality of life.
Yes, of course I’m biased, but I would put rural electrification right up near the top. Electricity is one of those accomplishments we often take for granted, much like liberty, equality and individual rights, until we realize how different life would be without it.
___
Josh Kramer, editor-in-chief of North Dakota Living, is executive vice president and general manager of NDAREC. Contact him at jkramer@ndarec.com.
