BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum, in partnership with the North Dakota Department of Commerce, announced today the funding for 15 projects totaling $2,331,000 aimed at Main Street development, public facilities and services. The program is funded by federal Community Development Block Grant dollars focusing on long-term community development within cities’ Main Street areas.
“These funds will help communities with strategic projects that will strengthen our state’s economy and help create healthy, vibrant communities that can attract and retain a 21st century workforce,” Burgum said. “This is a key step in our development of building livable communities, addressing unmet community development needs and enhancing local economic development efforts.”
Funds were made available in three categories:
Main Street Fund
Main Street funds are used to rehabilitate building exteriors or streetscape improvements. Funded projects:
- Turtle Lake $100,000
- Main Street Market – New windows and facade improvements
- J Arthur’s Flowers and Gifts – New windows and facade improvements
- Turtle Lake Tax Service – New windows and facade improvements
- Jamestown $100,000
- Orriginals, Inc. – New windows, facade improvements and brickwork
- River Rock Investments – New windows, siding replacement, painting and sidewalk replacement
- The Lodge Jamestown – New windows and handicap accessibility
- Babb’s Coffee House – New windows, exterior facade improvements and handicap accessibility
- Minto $67,500
- Harvey Avenue Saloon – New windows, doors, siding and signage
- Beaver’s Café – New windows, doors, siding and signage
- Minto Auto – New windows, doors, siding and signage
- Lisbon $100,000
- Hammelton Building – New windows, doors, brickwork, parking and handicap accessibility
Public Facility Fund
Public facility funds are used for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction or installation of public works, facilities or other improvements. Funded projects:
- Sheridan County
$35,760 – Chairlift replacement in county courthouse
- Nelson County
$294,000 – Nelson County Health System handicap accessibility improvements
- Minto
$198,000 – Wastewater lagoon improvements
- Crystal
$300,000 – Crystal Firehall building expansion
- New Salem
$300,000 – Infrastructure improvements
- Glen Ullin
$300,000 – Water main reconstruction
- Steele County
$67,845 – Handicap accessibility in county courthouse
- Towner County
$20,842 – Elevator lift installation in Memorial Building
- Maddock
$41,727 – Backup generator and water system improvements
Public Services Fund
Public services funds, in the form of operational costs, will be made available to existing and new agencies that support programs related to addiction and recovery. Funded projects:
- Heartview
$287,825 – Operational costs used to furnish a new 24-bed residential treatment program and 15 recovery apartments.
- A.D.A.P.T. Inc.
$125,000 – Operational costs used to alleviate expenses to expand case management services statewide.
Burgum has led the state’s efforts to provide community leaders a direct access point to resources needed to create vibrant communities poised to attract and retain a 21st century workforce. Working toward those goals, some of the state’s notable Main Street achievements include:
- The Main Street Initiative currently has 61 communities engaged in the initiative and has conducted meetings with 45 communities over the past 15 months. During that time, communities hosting a Main Street meeting report a greater level of engagement from community members of all ages and have seen increased momentum in community improvement efforts.
- The first-ever Main Street ND Summit, hosted by the North Dakota Department of Commerce at the Bismarck Event Center, welcomed more than 650 community members, students and state team members. The event focused on developing the three pillars of the Main Street Initiative: a skilled workforce; smart, efficient infrastructure; and healthy, vibrant communities to help North Dakota compete in a 21st century economy in which rapid technological advancement is changing every job, industry and organization.
- The 2018 Main Street Awards honored communities for excellence in elevating the three pillars of the Main Street Initiative. Award details can be found at www.mainstreetnd.com/awards
- North Dakota’s Main Street Community Dashboard was created to support busy community leaders – some working on a voluntary basis – hoping to grow healthy, vibrant communities. The dashboard was recognized with a national Government Experience Award from the Center for Digital Government.
- The North Dakota Main Street Initiative Student Advisory Committee includes 11 students from across the state. This committee is part of the Healthy, Vibrant Communities pillar of the Main Street Initiative and focuses on allowing youth to share ideas to help build the community they want to call home in North Dakota.
- For additional information on the Governor’s Fund for Community Development, visit: https://www.communityservices.nd.gov/communitydevelopment/.