Spark Build Housing Program Expands to Pembina County
At the March 10 board meeting, Lisa Rotvold, Executive Director of the Red River Community Housing Development Organization (RRCHDO), presented an update on the Spark Build program and its growing focus on Pembina County communities.
The Spark Build program addresses rural housing challenges by having RRCHDO act as the developer, packaging financing, hiring contractors, and assuming the financial risk that often prevents builders from constructing spec housing in small communities. By bundling two or more houses under a single contract, the program makes rural home builds as profitable for contractors as custom home construction. The program also works to close appraisal gaps by steadily creating new construction comparable sales over time.
Since launching, RRCHDO has built homes in Lakota, Larimore, Park River, and Grafton, with all completed homes sold. Seven more homes are slated to break ground this spring in Hoople, Michigan (ND), and Lakota, with builders Pastorek Construction, Gemmill Custom Homes, and others already contracted.
Pembina County is now a priority focus for the program. Cavalier is the furthest along, with two local builders expressing interest and four lots currently available. A fall construction start is being targeted for at least one project. Crystal is in early discussions, and Pembina is being explored as a potential site for both Spark Build homes and a manufactured housing development.
In Pembina, the city-owned mobile home park, which has 20–22 lots but only two occupied units, is being evaluated as a site for permanent housing. Options being explored include subdividing and selling lots for manufactured or modular homes with traditional financing. A community meeting was held in Pembina to assess housing needs, with interest expressed in both market-rate new construction and rental housing.
Communities interested in participating in Spark Build can reach out to RRCHDO at any time. Rolling proposals are now accepted year-round. For more information, contact Lisa Rotvold at lisa@redriverrc.com.
Wentworth Ag Community Match Secured Through Tax Exemption
In a significant development for the Wentworth Ag project in Walhalla, the PCJDA has confirmed that the value of the City of Walhalla’s approved 10-year property tax exemption (PILOT: Payment in Lieu of Taxes) can be used as the required community match for the project’s Flex PACE loan, eliminating the need for the JDA or the city to contribute cash.
The tax exemption, valued at $121,808 over 10 years, covers the full $50,000 community match required by the Bank of North Dakota. The graduated exemption structure includes a full exemption for years one through five, followed by partial exemptions in years six through ten. This approach saved the JDA and city a combined total that would have otherwise consumed nearly the JDA’s entire PACE annual budget.
JDA Sponsors Marketplace for Kids
The board approved $3,000 in sponsorship for the 2026 Marketplace for Kids (MFK) event, scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Grafton Public School and North Valley Career & Technology Center. The annual event rotates between the Grafton and Cavalier areas, and this will mark the 12th year of participation for the region. Walsh County JDA has also approved a $3,000 contribution.
Marketplace for Kids is a statewide program that gives students in grades 3–8 entrepreneurial knowledge, career exploration opportunities, and financial preparation through hands-on Education Days. Students explore careers, technology, and innovation through interactive classes, and have the opportunity to present projects in the Hall of Great Ideas using 21st Century Learning Skills. In 2024–25, the program served 7,854 total participants across 15 Education Days statewide, with 83 schools and 587 volunteers participating.
The Cavalier region’s most recent Education Day (April 28, 2025) drew a total attendance of 659, including 386 students, 30 presenters, 58 teachers and chaperones, and 15 volunteers, with 20 classes offered across 6 participating schools. The PCJDA has supported the program for 12 years, with funds directed toward student materials, printed resources, and staff support for the Cavalier/Grafton area event.
For more information about PCJDA programs, contact Angelle French at angelle@redriverrc.com. The PCJDA office is located in the Pembina County Social Services building at 300 Boundary Rd W, Cavalier (South entrance, WIC side).
Storefront Improvement Grant Approved for Xperience Health & Fitness
The board approved a $5,000 storefront improvement grant for Xperience Health & Fitness in Pembina for exterior signage renovations. The project has already been completed, and all required invoices were submitted for board review.
The PCJDA’s Storefront Improvement Grant program provides up to $5,000 per location to support exterior improvements that enhance the appearance and viability of local businesses. For more information visit our website.
Flex PACE Loan Approved for Xperience Health & Fitness in Pembina
The board approved a Flex PACE loan of up to $16,239.78 for a business renovation project for Xperience Health & Fitness in Pembina. The loan, structured at 2% interest over five years, follows the Bank of North Dakota’s Flex PACE interest rate buydown program, with the PCJDA providing the required community match.
2025 Annual Report to go Digital
The board discussed the format for the 2025 Annual Report and agreed to shift away from a large-scale print mailing in favor of digital distribution via email and the JDA’s website and Facebook page. A small number of printed copies will be obtained for use in meetings and community presentations.
The Annual Report will be available at redriverrc.com and on the PCJDA Facebook page once finalized. If you would like to be added to the email list to receive the annual report and other PCJDA updates, email Angelle at angelle@redriverrc.com.
JDA Supports Annual Manufacturing Day
The board approved up to $1,000 to support the annual Manufacturing Day event, held each October in partnership with the Walsh County JDA. The event brings seventh grade students from area schools to tour local manufacturing facilities, giving young people a firsthand look at modern manufacturing careers.
This year’s event will be the first without grant support from Impact Dakota, which ceased operations after federal funding it had been appropriated was not received. To offset the loss, the JDAs are applying to several community foundations .