Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductee Lori Capouch Highlights the Role of Cooperatives in Strengthening Rural Communities

Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductee Lori Capouch Highlights the Role of Cooperatives in Strengthening Rural Communities

From Everything Co-op with Vernon Oakes by Everything Co-op

December 22, 2025 · 55 min

About this episode

Lori Capouch discusses her career and the impact of cooperatives on rural communities.

September 11, 2025 - This episode continues our celebration of the 2025 Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductees with a special conversation featuring honoree Lori Capouch, former Rural Development Director for the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC). Lori reflects on her career and shares lessons from her work in strengthening rural communities—ranging from sustaining grocery stores to expanding childcare and food access. Lori Capouch is a recently retired rural development professional who spent her career helping communities establish the businesses they envisioned. She most recently served as Rural Development Director for the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC), where she managed the Rural Electric and Telecommunications Development Center in Mandan, North Dakota. She also led the Rural Development Finance Corporation, a $9 million revolving loan fund that supports rural businesses, and previously directed the North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission, a state agency providing grants for high-risk startup ventures. Beyond her work with NDAREC, Lori provided contracted services to the North Dakota Rural…

People in this episode

Host: Vernon Oakes

Guest: Lori Capouch

Topics covered

  • Cooperatives
  • Rural Development
  • Community Strengthening
  • Childcare Access
  • Food Access
  • Economic Development

Keywords

  • cooperatives
  • rural communities
  • economic development
  • childcare
  • food access
  • North Dakota

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Rural Development Finance Corporation, North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission, North Dakota Rural Rehabilitation Corporation, State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, Dakotas America

Places: Mandan, North Dakota

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