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 self-help 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 2019 funds were accepted through December 2019 and were awarded in January 2020 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 $27,000. Commissioners awarded the amount cities requested, with seven cities receiving $1,500; and one city receiving $1,177. Total funds awarded was $10,177.
Pembina County cities and projects receiving funds are:
- Bathgate: Playground equipment; gravel for streets
- Cavalier: City beautification
- Crystal: Sidewalk replacement project
- Hensel (on behalf of the Gardar Township Hall project): Sidewalk project
- Mountain: Sidewalk replacement project
- St. Thomas: City beautification project including removal of abandoned buildings
- Walhalla: Jetting city sewer lines
Walsh County
Walsh County Commissioners reviewed the requests from eight cities requesting more than $9,500 for projects totaling more than $90,000. Funds were awarded with seven cities receiving $750 and one city receiving the requested amount of $500.
Walsh County cities and projects receiving funds are:
- Adams: Update & add lighting to city shed
- Edinburg: Pavement repair
- Fairdale: Maintenance and mowing of the city park
- Forest River: Replace lights and fan in fire hall
- Grafton: Costs associated with completing the Angel of Hope Memorial at Leistikow Park
- Hoople: Maintenance of trees at city park and cemetery
- Lankin: Equipment lease
- Minto: Repairs and upgrades to sidewalks and curbs
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 2020 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).
