| Many North Dakota communities find it financially difficult to provide or maintain such necessary services as public safety, water and sewer services, garbage disposal, grocery and retail stores, local credit, medical care and similar other services due to gradual decline in both population and businesses. Declining population also stresses the existing businesses as they compete for a shrinking customer base while the cost of operating a business is likely to be increasing. Cooperatively-owned businesses are means by which needed products and services can be provided at a reasonable cost and at the same time provide meaningful employment opportunities. Thus, the cooperative approach may provide an option for rural communities in North Dakota for... |
