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:

1. Requests cannot exceed one-half of the total project cost, nor can the request exceed $1,500.
2. The county funds must be matched 1:1. Funds will be released on a reimbursement basis with supporting documentation.
3. 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 2021 funds were accepted through December 2021 and were reviewed by commissioners in each county in early 2022.

Pembina County

Pembina County Commissioners allow each of the county’s 11 cities to submit applications for two separate projects, up to a $1,500 county match for each. The commissioners reviewed 13 applications from nine cities. Total requests totaled more than $17,000 for projects costing more than $68,000.

Commissioners awarded funds for each request as follows:

• Bathgate, $1,500: Gravel expenses for city streets
• Cavalier, $2,750: Two projects – city beautification and wall mural program
• Crystal, $670: Sidewalk replacement project
• Hamilton: $1,500: Road patching
• Hensel on behalf of the Gardar Township Hall, $1,500: Sidewalk project
• Mountain, $2,750: Two projects – sidewalk projects in two separate areas of the city
• Pembina, $1,500: Materials to replace roof on pavilion
• St. Thomas, $2,750: Two projects – lot maintenance and demolition of vacant homes
• Walhalla, $1,486.50: Two projects – Jetting city sewer lines and landscaping at pool

Walsh County

Walsh County Commissioners reviewed the requests from 11 cities requesting more than $15,000 for projects totaling more than $69,000. Funds were awarded with 10 cities receiving $1,000; and Fairdale receiving its requested amount of $600.

Walsh County cities and projects receiving funds are:

• Adams: Replace street signage
• Edinburg: Asphalt patching
• Fairdale: Maintenance and mowing of the city park
• Fordville: Sidewalk replacement near the senior center
• Forest River: Replace windows at Forest River Center
• Grafton: Restroom renovation project at Grafton Armory
• Hoople: Fence installation at city dumpster site
• Lankin: Purchase remainder of tractor equipment lease
• Minto: Street and curb repair
• Park River: Purchase city Christmas décor
• Pisek: Road patching

All cities in Pembina and Walsh counties will receive notification of their award from the county auditor. The correspondence will include information on how to seek reimbursement.

Applications for the 2022 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).