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 2016 funds were accepted through December and were awarded in January in both Pembina and Walsh counties. Pembina County Pembina County Commissioners met January 17, 2017, to review the requests from five cities. Commissioners awarded the amount cities requested, with four cities receiving $1,500; and one city receiving $1,110. Pembina County cities and projects receiving funds are:

• Cavalier: City beautification project
• Crystal: Replace sidewalks to comply with ADA requirements
• Drayton: Storm sewer drainage repair project
• Neche: Repair exterior wall of City Hall
• St. Thomas: Continued city beautification project, with concentration on sidewalks

Walsh County Walsh County Commissioners met January 24, 2017, to review requests. Funds were awarded to 11 cities, with 10 cities receiving $750 and one receiving its requested amount of $500. Walsh County cities and projects receiving funds are:

• Adams: Mosquito sprayer/fogger with chemical
• Edinburg: Trimming of trees and shrubs on city property
• Fairdale: Maintenance and mowing of the city park
• Fordville: Updates at Sluke Baseball Field
• Forest River: Cleaning/removing tree pile from June 2016 storm
• Grafton: Assist in covering costs for senior programs at Grafton Senior Citizen Club
• Hoople: Replacement of sidewalks
• Lankin: Costs associated with chip sealing of Main Street
• Minto: Costs to hire contractor to remove trees after June 2016 storm
• Park River: Replace Christmas decorations along city streets
• Pisek: 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 2017 funds will be sent to cities later this year. Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact Stacie Sevigny at the RRRC via phone (701-352-3550) or email (Stacie@redriverrc.com).

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