How smaller municipalities in ND seek infrastructure funding
Brandon Beise, the assistant rural local government engineer for North Dakota Department of Transportation, said an estimated $43 million is available to non-oil producing counties, towns and tribes. The North Dakota Department of Transportation's Flexible Transportation Fund Program offers an estimated $43 million to non-oil producing counties, towns, and tribes. The department received 264 applications seeking over $430 million in total, and has added several agencies to assist in decision-making. The Flexible Transport Fund Program lists projects based on their type and type of funding, with interstates needing more funding than rural township roads. Brandon Beise, assistant rural local government engineer for North Dakota, said the department is working to ensure smaller communities also receive the resources they need.
Published : 4 weeks ago by Crystal Kwaw in
MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) - It can be a challenge for small government to get funds for maintaining infrastructure.
KMOT’s Crystal Kwaw looks at how small communities come up with funding for some expensive municipal projects.
Throughout the northwestern and central region of North Dakota, roads and bridges help drivers get to their destination.
Glenburn auditor Donna Zeltinger said, aside from city taxes, getting state or federal funds to repair streets is difficult.
“Most of the money goes to cities that are over $10,000. It’s really really hard to keep up our streets,” said Zeltinger.
The demand is high for infrastructure improvements within the Flexible Transportation Fund Program.
Brandon Beise, the assistant rural local government engineer for North Dakota Department of Transportation, said an estimated $43 million is available to non-oil producing counties, towns and tribes.
“We got 264 applications. They requested over $430 million from us,” said Beise.
Beise said projects are ranked depending on their types. He said interstates tend to need more money than rural township roads.
Zeltinger said Glenburn may be contending with its population and its location when it comes to getting grants.
“Our streets are our worst to try to get money for. There’s usually a lot of money for water replacements, sewer replacements and stuff like that,” said Zeltinger.
With so many projects in the balance and not enough funds to go around, Beise said the department added several agencies to help with the decision making.
He said they want to make sure smaller communities also get the resources they need.
“Hopefully, we can improve upon the system and help them out; upgrading or changing our application process making it easier for the locals to compete,” said Beise.
He said with the flex fund they’re able to help towns more than in the past.
Beise said the committee within the North Dakota Department of Transportation is in their final stage and Flex Fund recipients will find out at a later date.