DICKINSON — The Stark County Commission held a workgroup meeting to review applications from Richardton and Taylor for the Small City Infrastructure Grant.
Richardton applied for funding to re-line its sewer system, while Taylor sought funding to help cover the costs of approximately 3,300 feet of new water main construction.
The Small City Infrastructure Grant,
, allocates $3 million over three years to assist small towns in Stark County with maintaining or upgrading critical infrastructure projects.
Under the grant, the county will match contributions from municipalities equivalent to each city’s pro rata share of the fund based on its population size.
The grant distributes $3 million over three years among five municipalities. Funds may roll over from year to year, but projects must receive approval from Stark County before funds are released.
- Belfield: $385,598.14 annually, totaling $1,156,794.43 over three years.
- Richardton: $267,905.54 annually, totaling $803,716.61 over three years.
- Taylor: $89,043.75 annually, totaling $267,131.24 over three years.
- Gladstone: $104,916.76 annually, totaling $314,750.29 over three years.
- South Heart: $152,535.81 annually, totaling $457,607.43 over three years.
To qualify for funding, infrastructure projects must improve public safety, promote economic development or support affordable housing.
They must also be technically feasible and have a reasonable timeline for completion, with the necessary engineering and construction expertise, according to the county.
Municipalities are required to match funds provided by the county, a condition that depends on external grant funding. If a city does not obtain outside grant funding, it must provide a matching contribution equal to that of the county.
However, if a municipality secures funding from state or federal sources, it may use county funds to match those grants without an additional city match requirement. For example, if a city receives an infrastructure improvement grant from the state of North Dakota, it may use county funds to fulfill the matching requirement for the state grant.
Projects must also be flexible to accommodate changing circumstances and funding availability. Additionally, municipalities must ensure transparency and accountability by providing clear performance metrics and regular updates to the Stark County Commission.
Richardton applied for funding under the standard guidelines, requiring it to match any contributions from Stark County. Taylor received funding from the North Dakota State Water Commission and requested county funds to help cover the remaining project costs.
The workgroup met to evaluate each proposal. Final recommendations will be presented to the county commission for a vote at the next meeting on Feb. 4. More information about commission meetings is available on the county website.