BISMARCK, N.D. (PPR) – The director of the state’s Department of Career and Technical Education says his department is asking for loan authority, to fund 13 projects that were approved – but await federal money.

The projects were to receive money from ARPA – the American Rescue Plan Act. And they were approved during a special Legislative session. Each of the projects has a local match requirement. But the federal money has been held up in the federal pipeline.

CTE director Wayde Sick told a House Appropriations Subcommittee that – in addition to a loan fund for the projects – his department is asking for another $40 million in loan authority from the Bank of North Dakota – because of construction inflation.

The subcommittee didn’t take immediate action.