RRRC Executive Committee Advances Business Development Efforts and Reviews Regional Priorities
The Red River Regional Council Executive Committee met virtually on September 15, 2026, with committee members Amy Suda, Barry Wilfahrt, Mary Houdek and Lizzie Crowston in attendance. Also participating were Travis Berg of Choice Bank, Chris Belanus of CRMB Holding Co., and RRRC staff members Dawn Mandt and Lori Estad.
A key action of the meeting was approval of a $75,000 Catalyst Fund loan to CRMB Holding Co. for the purchase of the existing Cavalier Car Spa in Cavalier, North Dakota. Committee members noted the car wash’s established operations and steady revenue stream, with the project leveraging additional financing through Choice Bank, the Bank of North Dakota’s Flex PACE program, City of Cavalier, Pembina County Job Development Authority, and owner investment.
The committee also reviewed the status of the Catalyst Fund portfolio, which currently includes 17 active loans, and discussed preparations for the anticipated defederalization of the fund in 2027.
In support of ongoing downtown revitalization efforts, committee members approved a $6,000 funding request for small fixtures related to The Reyleck project, following a review of the project’s funding plan and construction budget.
Additional discussion focused on upcoming regional initiatives and organizational business. Members reviewed plans for the State of the Region 4 event scheduled for October 28 in Minto, received an update on the organization’s 2025 financial audit, and approved the completed audit.
The committee also discussed the ongoing statewide effort by North Dakota’s eight regional councils to pursue legislative funding support and reviewed strategies for recruiting additional RRRC board members, particularly local government representatives from Grand Forks, Walsh, and Pembina counties.
The next full RRRC Board meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2026, with a joint meeting of the RRRC and Red River Community Housing Development Organization boards planned for November 18, 2026.