Commissioners in Pembina and Walsh counties recently awarded funds to cities for community betterment projects as part of the ½ Mill “Self-Help” Program. The self-help program is administered by the Red River Regional Council (RRRC) on behalf of the counties. The main objective is to promote development within communities of Pembina and Walsh counties. There are three program criteria:

• ½ Mill requests cannot exceed one-half of the total project cost, nor can the request exceed $1,500.
• The county funds must be matched 1:1. Funds will be released on a reimbursement basis with supporting documentation.
• A copy of a resolution or minutes of the meeting when the applicant authorized the project must be included with the application. The city must include in its minutes that it plans to apply for self-help funds for a specific project.

Applications for 2018 funds were accepted through December 2018 and were awarded in January 2019 in both Pembina and Walsh counties. Pembina County Pembina County Commissioners reviewed the requests from seven cities requesting more than $10,000 for projects totaling more than $60,000. Commissioners awarded the amount cities requested, with six cities receiving $1,500; and one city receiving $1,440. Total funds awarded was $10,440. Pembina County cities and projects receiving funds are:

• Bathgate: Street maintenance, mowing and snow removal
• Cavalier: Pocket Park, Main Street lighting, city beautification
• Crystal: Sidewalk replacement project
• Drayton: Sidewalk replacement project
• Mountain: Sidewalk replacement project
• Pembina: City park improvements
• Thomas: Sidewalk replacement project

Walsh County Walsh County Commissioners reviewed the requests from 11 cities requesting more than $14,000 for projects totaling more than $86,000. Funds were awarded with nine cities receiving $750 and two receiving the requested amount of $600. Walsh County cities and projects receiving funds are:

• Adams: Costs to relocate fill material
• Edinburg: Repair pavement from frost boils
• Fairdale: Maintenance and mowing of the city park
• Fordville: Costs associated with city skating rink
• Forest River: Gravel for street repair
• Grafton: Costs to purchase statue for Veteran’s Memorial Park at Heritage Village
• Hoople: Costs to drill new city well
• Lankin: Street improvement equipment lease and maintenance
• Minto: Tree trimming and cleanup
• Park River: Replace doors at city hall
• Pisek: Street sign replacement project

All cities in Pembina and Walsh counties will receive notification of their award and how to seek reimbursement from the respective county. Applications for the 2019 program will be sent in April and cities in both counties are encouraged to apply for funds to assist with city betterment projects. Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact Stacie Sevigny at the RRRC via phone (701-352-3550) or email (Stacie@redriverrc.com).

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