Prairie Public Television premieres documentary tracing the history
of the Bank of North Dakota
FARGO, N.D., September 15, 2005— Prairie Public Television’s
newest local documentary, “The Bank of North Dakota,” chronicles
the bank’s fascinating history and reviews its key role in financing
the state’s economic future. The 30-minute documentary will debut
September 21 at 9:30 p.m. (CT).
Producer Kim Stenehjem explains that during the early 1900s, North Dakota’s
economy was dangerously dependent on a single industry – agriculture,
an
industry controlled by financial interests outside the state. “To
diversify the economy and regain control of its financial future, North
Dakota created a unique asset: the state-owned Bank of North Dakota. North
Dakota is the only state in the union with a state-owned bank,” Stenehjem
said.
The program documents the rise of the Non Partisan League and its struggle
to overthrow the out of state interests that controlled the North Dakota
economy. “It was a colorful period in our history,” Stenehjem
said. “The political infighting, the dirty tricks, the back room
deals — it’s an amazing series of events that led to the creation
of the bank.”
“The Bank of North Dakota” features historians, economists,
bank staff members and members of the Industrial Commission discussing
how the bank came into existence, how it has responded over the years
to its mission, and its evolving role in promoting commerce, agriculture
and industry.
"The Bank of North Dakota" is accompanied by a content
rich web site and is being broadcast in both standard and digital
formats. Production funding for “The Bank of North Dakota “
was provided by USDA Rural Development.
Closed Captioned; Rated G
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