Williston City Commission Approves $50,000 In Community Enhancement Grants

The Williston City Commission has approved up to $50,000 from the Williston STAR Fund’s Community Enhancement Grant program for 23 projects in the Williston trade region.

Each year, the commission allocates up to $50,000 for nonprofit groups and organizations to fund activities and projects that improve the quality of life in the Williston area. This year’s projects include playground equipment, a powwow, building upgrades, sports equipment purchases, a leadership conference and much more. Recipients are from Williston, Ray, Crosby, Columbus, Sidney and other communities and towns.

Williston Economic Development Executive Director Shawn Wenko says he applauds the commitment of these nonprofits.

“Quality of life development is increasingly important to our economic development efforts,” said Wenko. It’s projects like these that make Williston a great place to live.”

The Community Enhancement Grant program is made possible through the Williston STAR Fund which provides financial support for economic and community development projects that create jobs. The funds are derived from a voter approved 1% city sales tax through June 30, 2030. Seventy-five percent of the collections benefit infrastructure needs and property tax relief while 25% assists projects that promote a vibrant and sustainable community.

“We say ‘thank you’ to the projects that received funding this year,” says Wenko. “You are vital to our success, so it remains important to our community that you see success as well.”

The following received grants from the 2019 Community Enhancement program:

Northern Plains Oyate - $2,000 for annual powwow

City of Columbus - $1,000 for playground

James Memorial Preservation Project - $2,500 for window restoration

Marketplace For Kids - $2,500 for annual event

Mon-Dak Gymnastics Support Group - $3,000 for equipment upgrades

Upper Missouri District Health Unit - $2,000 for the safe seats program

Missouri Basin Bowman - $4,000 for roof replacement

White Earth Development Corp -$1,000 for event pavilion

Williston United Futbol Club - $5,000 for rental and tournament fees

Richland County Health Department - $2,000 for Leadership Summit

One Million Cups - $2,000 for marketing monthly meetings

Prairie Tumbleweeds Association - $1,000 for building improvements

Crosby Country Club - $1,000 for rural water update

Boy Scouts of America Northern Lights Council - $1,250 for operating expenses

Richland County Boys and Girls Club - $2,000 for Friday program funding

Fort Union Cooperating Agency - $2,000 for paper and digital marketing

First Lutheran Community Playground - $2,500 for community playground

Old Armory Governing Board - $2,500 for window treatments

North Star Caviar - $3,250 for equipment updates

Entertainment Inc! - $2,000 for hearing impaired devices

Williston Chamber Rockin Ribfest - $2,500 for event funding

Williston Council on the Aging - $2,000 for the NW Public Transit

Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture - $1,000 for a portable events sound system

Total 2020 Community Enhancement Allocation -$50,000

The next round of Community Enhancement Grant Applications will be accepted beginning in October 2020. The deadline for applications will be announced later.

 

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