Monday, February 1, 2021 - 10:09am

The North Dakota Department of Commerce today announced that 12 communities are recommended to receive funding from round two of the Main Street Initiative Vibrancy Grant with a total of $16,500 to be awarded.

The Main Street Initiative Vibrancy Grant Program seeks to assist in adding a spark of activity and energy to communities across North Dakota. This program helps provide small investments to community projects or events that encourage public art, activate underutilized space or promote walking and biking.

“This grant is a great opportunity to inspire others to engage and contribute to their community’s quality of life for both visitors and residents,” Interim Commerce Commissioner Shawn Kessel said.

Grant funding supports nonprofit organizations and/or local governments in vibrancy projects such as public events, public art, cultural celebrations, activating underutilized space, community gathering spaces, promoting active transportation, mitigating impacts of vacant or deteriorated infrastructure and more.

Grant applicants were notified of their awards on Jan. 25. The following applications are recommended to receive $1,500 of grant funding:

Valley City: Benches and garbage cans for the community orchard 

Watford City: Diversity mural for town in cooperation with the preschool 

West Fargo: Community art project  

Bismarck: Install lighting for Art Alley to highlight these works in the winter months as well as make the underutilized alley space more inviting for events, the public, and visitors

Carrington: Banners and flowering baskets for Main Street 

Fargo: Cooperative effort between Fargo Lions Club and Parks to place art to commemorate the city’s resiliency

Jamestown: Chalkfest event and festival associated with road diet and community arts

Minot: Downtown geocaching and exploring

Rugby: Relocation of clock to Pocket Park on Main Street 

New Rockford: Lighting upgrades for Centennial Park 

Grand Forks: Downtown development/UND alleyway murals 

Colgate: Park enhancements in center of town

Columbus: Planters and plants for Main Street

Gilby: Outdoor mural on wall of city owned hardware store

Sheyenne: Restorations of main street building and placement of flowerpots on Main Street

Foreman: Converting open space into park area

 

Total Grant Awards – Round two: $16,500

For additional details on this grant program, visit: https://belegendary.link/MainStreetVibrancyGrant