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 2017 funds were accepted through December and were awarded in January in both Pembina and Walsh counties.
Pembina County
Pembina County Commissioners reviewed the requests from nine cities. Commissioners awarded the amount cities requested, with four cities receiving $1,500; and one city receiving $1,406.88.
Pembina County cities and projects receiving funds are:
- Bathgate: Graveling and blading on city streets
- Cavalier: Automatic door opener on City Administration Building
- Crystal: Replace sidewalks to comply with ADA requirements
- Drayton: Street repair project
- Mountain: Sidewalk replacement project
- Neche: Graveling city streets
- Pembina: Concrete at ice arena to make usable for all seasons
- Thomas: Continued city beautification project, with concentration on city buildings
- Walhalla: Jetting of sewer lines
Walsh County
Walsh County Commissioners met to review 11 requests. Funds were awarded with 10 cities receiving $750 and one receiving its requested amount of $600.
Walsh County cities and projects receiving funds are:
- Adams: Tin roof on park picnic shelter
- Edinburg: Repair pavement from frost boils
- Fairdale: Maintenance and mowing of the city park
- Fordville: Updates at Sluke Baseball Field
- Forest River: New electrical panel at lift station
- Grafton: Repair exit door of main theatre building at Heritage Village
- Hoople: Replacement of sidewalks
- Lankin: Renovation of former café into community space
- Minto: Continuation of tree clean-up costs from 2016 summer storms
- Park River: Replace fixtures in City Hall Auditorium restrooms
- Pisek: Continued sidewalk repair on Lovcik Avenue
All cities in Pembina and Walsh counties are encouraged to apply for funds to assist with city betterment projects. Applications for 2018 funds will be sent to cities in April. Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact Stacie Sevigny at the RRRC via phone (701-352-3550) or email (Stacie@redriverrc.com).
