Industrial Commission announces support for furloughed federal employees

Bismarck, N.D. – The Industrial Commission today approved a short-term, low-interest loan program for North Dakota residents who are furloughed federal government employees and members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in North Dakota.

The Furloughed Federal Employee Relief Program (FFERP), administered by Bank of North Dakota (BND) in partnership with local lenders, will provide loans at a 2% interest rate to cover the base net pay of eligible individuals for up to three months. The program was developed in response to the Oct. 1, 2025, shutdown of the federal government to address financial hardships federal employees may experience.

“While the federal government is shuttered, active-duty military and federal employees in North Dakota still have bills to pay, and this program offers a bridge loan to help keep them afloat until the federal government reopens and provides employees back pay as required by law,” stated the Industrial Commission in a joint statement. The Industrial Commission, consisting of Gov. Kelly Armstrong as chairman, Attorney General Drew Wrigley and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, oversees BND. “Not paying federal employees creates a chain reaction which impacts day care providers, car and housing payments, and daily needs such as buying medicine and groceries.”

The federal government officially shut down Oct. 1, after the Senate did not pass a continuing resolution to fund operations. In North Dakota, the federal government employs over 9,000 employees with the vast majority being active-duty military at the Grand Forks and Minot Air Force bases and in the North Dakota National Guard.

“Supporting our North Dakota residents through what can be a financially difficult time is part of the mission of the Bank of North Dakota,” said Don Morgan, BND President/CEO. “If you look back in history to the Great Depression era, it was BND that cashed the warrants for teachers so they received their full pay.”

FFERP will be delivered through local banks and credit unions with the application period opening on Friday, Oct. 10. To be eligible for the program, employees must present identification and their most recent paystub to their local lender. The program will end on Jan. 9, 2026, or when Congress passes a funding bill to reopen.

The program has a broad base of support, including the Independent Community Bankers of North Dakota (ICBND) and North Dakota Bankers Association (NDBA).

“Community banks are honored to work with the Industrial Commission and the Bank of North Dakota to support our servicemen and women and other federal employees during the shutdown,” said Alexis Baxley, president of the Independent Community Banks of North Dakota. “We’re proud to serve North Dakota communities every day, and partnerships like this ensure North Dakota continues to be a great place to live and work.”

NDBA President Rick Clayburgh shares, “NDBA appreciates the North Dakota Industrial Commission and Bank of North Dakota for the creation of the Furloughed Federal Employee Relief Program designed to assist government employees impacted by the recent shutdown. We encourage impacted (government) employees to reach out to their local bank for more information. North Dakota banks remain committed to their customers and stand ready to assist federal employees during this time of uncertainty.”

Brekka Kramer, president of the Minot Chamber of Commerce, home to the Minot Air Force Base, shared her thoughts on the importance of this support. “Base communities like Minot and Grand Forks are deeply connected to our nation’s defense mission. When federal employees face furloughs, the entire community feels the impact. The Furloughed Federal Employee Relief Program helps bridge that gap, reinforcing the resilience and unity that make our military communities so strong.”

More information on the program from BND can be found at bnd.nd.gov/fferp.