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 currently administered by the Red River Regional Council (RRRC) on behalf of the counties. Beginning with the 2023 program, administration will be transferred to JDA staff in each county.
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 2022 funds were accepted through December 2022 and were reviewed by commissioners in each county in March 2023.
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 14 applications from seven cities. Total requests totaled more than $19,000 for projects costing more than $83,000.
Commissioners awarded funds for each request as follows:
- Bathgate, $2,259: Two projects – reusable flood tubes and bleachers for the ball diamond
- Cavalier, $2,500: Two projects – folding tables for the auditorium and replacement of youth baseball and softball equipment
- Crystal, $2,500: Two separate sidewalk replacement projects
- Mountain, $2,500: Two separate sidewalk replacement projects
- Pembina, $1,662: Two projects – Updates at park washrooms and shower and purchase tractor and snowblower attachment
- St. Thomas, $2,500: Two projects – demolition and lot maintenance for three residential structures and replacing water lines for sites in the city camper/trailer park
- Walhalla, $2,500: Two projects – Replacing playground mulch after the spring flood and crack sealing streets
Walsh County
Walsh County Commissioners reviewed the requests from nine cities requesting $13,000 for projects totaling more than $85,000. The award to each city was $1,000.
Walsh County cities and projects receiving funds are:
- Edinburg: Asphalt patching
- Fairdale: Maintenance and mowing of the city park
- Fordville: Replace damaged curb
- Forest River: Replace roof at Community Center
- Grafton: Assist with energy costs for Carnegie Regional Library
- Hoople: Purchase product for city’s lagoons
- Lankin: Purchase lawn mower
- Minto: Tree trimming
- Park River: Replace windows and siding at City Office building
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 2023 program will be sent in April and cities in both counties are encouraged to apply for funds to assist with city betterment projects.
