The RRRC Board of Directors met in-person on Wednesday, June 17.
- Board Members in attendance included: Amy Suda, Barry Wilfahrt, Scot Becker, Kimberly Hagen, JoLynn Dickson, Mary Houdek, Lizzie Crowston, and Amie Vasichek.
- Staff and contracted personnel in attendance included: Dawn Mandt, Lori Estad, Stacie Sevigny, Heather Hanson, Lisa Rotvold, Kristi Kasprick, Angelle French, Anna Halvorson, and Brenda Baumann (contractor).
The Board of Directors:
- Approved the minutes from April 22, 2026.
- Received a report from the Executive Committee’s May 20, 2026 meeting at which they approved shifting the indirect costs billing from actual monthly costs to a flat rate of 15% which is the federal de minimis rate.
- Approved a preliminary proposal for accounting services with Legacy CPA Services, Kim Droog, MBA/CPA, owner. This preliminary proposal will serve as a bridge to bring the records current as well as provide insights on the future needed services. This is needed as the RRRC’s former long-term accountant passed away suddenly.
- Adopted the preliminary 2027 budget which projects total revenue of $1.406 million and expenses of $1.344 million. The budget projects revenue from 17 sources including four contracts for development staff and management with affiliated organizations including Nelson, Pembina, and Walsh County Job Development Authorities and the Red River Community Housing Development Organization.
- Heard an update on housing development and rehabilitation project in Region 4. There are currently 12 single family houses in six different communities either under construction or funded at this time. There are 8 houses in five communities in the current pipeline as future projects. Rotvold has also joined the Grand Forks Housing Committee. Approved a request to allocate an additional $25,000 from the defederalized funds to the Region 4 housing rehabilitation project to serve as the interim capital on the Federal Home Loan Bank’s $1.2 million reimbursement grant. Discussed a pending grant proposal to support the regional housing development ecosystem which will have its final consideration in July and August.
- Discussed and approved a proposal to be a founding partner in a regional community foundation with Kristi Wilfahrt, consultant. This required a commitment of $50,000 per year for five years to create the founding resources to launch the foundation. This goal is included in the 2028 Region 4 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The other founders include Grafton Parks and Recreation and the Grafton Blue Line Club.
- Approved a $32,459 proposal to the purchase of a walk-in refrigerator for the The Reyleck in the amount of and discussed pending grant proposals to fund the kitchen equipment and technology. Funds would come from the defederalized funds pool.
- Discussed a financing proposal with Steve Rehovsky, First United Bank, to provide interim financing to support the large grants awarded to The Reyleck’s construction that require a reimbursement process. Approved entering a loan with First United Bank in the amount of $2.1 million at 5% with a May 31, 2027 maturity and authorized Amy Suda, Amie Vasichek, and Dawn Mandt as the signers for this loan.
- Approved staff and management contract renewals with the Nelson and Walsh County Job Development Authorities for 2027 through 2029.
- Approved a $2,000 shift of funds from a previous workforce grant proposal to the Region 4 Real. Good. virtual job fair to be used to leverage marketing from area media.