Commissioners in Pembina and Walsh counties recently awarded funds to cities for community betterment projects as part of each county’s Self-Help Program. The program is administered by the Red River Regional Council (RRRC) on behalf of the counties.
The main objective is to promote community betterment projects within the cities of Pembina and Walsh counties. There are three program criteria:
• 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 2020 funds were accepted through December 2020 and were reviewed by commissioners in each county in early 2021.
Pembina County
Pembina County Commissioners reviewed the requests from six cities requesting more than $7,000 for projects totaling more than $18,000. Commissioners awarded the amount cities requested, with five cities receiving $1,500; and one city receiving $300. Total funds awarded was $7,800.
Pembina County cities and projects receiving funds are:
- Bathgate: Blading streets, snow removal, playground equipment
- Cavalier: City beautification
- Crystal: Sidewalk replacement project
- Mountain: Sidewalk replacement project
- St. Thomas: Water tower repairs and improvements
- Walhalla: Jetting city sewer lines
Walsh County
Walsh County Commissioners reviewed the requests from 10 cities requesting more than $12,000 for projects totaling more than $50,000. Funds were awarded with seven cities receiving $1,000; one city receiving the requested amount of $850; and two cities receiving the requested amount of $600.
Walsh County cities and projects receiving funds are:
- Edinburg: Sidewalk and street repair
- Fairdale: Maintenance and mowing of the city park
- Forest River: Septic tank costs
- Grafton: Walsh County Food Pantry
- Hoople: Replace lift station control panel
- Lankin: Equipment lease for snow removal and mowing
- Minto: Repairs and upgrades to sidewalks and curbs
- Park River: Purchase city Christmas décor
- Pisek: Street and ditch improvements
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 2021 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).
