Visit Greater Grand Forks to continue administering city special event funding, for now
Feb. 18—GRAND FORKS — The Grand Forks City Council reauthorized Visit Greater Grand Forks to administer the city's event funding program, but not without a conversation about potentially changing the program in the future.
A first motion by council member Rebecca Osowski that would stipulate the program should only fund events that bring in hotel room stays failed 8-2, with only President Dana Sande joining Osowski. In a second motion, the council unanimously approved reauthorizing the program, but it may revisit the logistics of administration later this year.
"Ultimately, our goal should be to improve our hotel-motel tax so we can continue to give out grants and loans," Osowski said. "I would ultimately like (Visit Greater Grand Forks) to follow the rules of the other funding programs that they manage."
The program up for authorization is funded through the city's economic development funds, which are generated from sales tax. There are other grant programs that Visit Greater Grand Forks manages, such as its enticement program for conventions and tournaments, that have different funding sources. Visit Greater Grand Forks' budget is tied with the city's lodging tax —
a 3% tax on room rentals separate from a 0.25% lodging and restaurant sales tax.
Had the original motion gone through, it likely would have meant many local events would have lost a funding source and support from the city. While the event would draw visitors and economic impact, it may not generate hotel revenue, which would have been the key priority of receiving funding. In 2024, 82 events were given a total of $182,925, creating an estimated economic impact of $25 million.
Visit Greater Grand Forks has managed the special event funding program since 2017, integrating it with its own program. The program seeks to help homegrown events and new events that promote the area, generate economic benefit and bring quality of life, among other criteria. Applications are reviewed three times a year. Executive Director Julie Rygg said Visit Greater Grand Forks overseeing the funds was originally a way to depoliticize the process.
"If council would like to debate or members of council want to debate this every year, I think maybe it's a good idea if it goes back in your hands," Rygg said. "We can't regulate based on 'we don't want this organization funded or we don't want this organization funded.'"
Rygg added that she was told last year by Osowski that she did not want events like Grand Forks Pride or World Refugee Day funded and this year asked why funds were given to the Grand Forks School District or UND. Osowski said that it was not directed at Rygg, but rather as a "dig" at both entities.
"I'm upset that other taxing entities are dipping their hands into our local city dollars," Osowski said. "I was criticizing (UND and the Grand Forks School District). I also think that the Grand Forks school system does not do a good job at managing their funds, either."
Other members of the council were much more supportive of Visit Greater Grand Forks continuing this program and the work that it does for events in the community.
"I believe that this organization provides a great service to our community and I don't think it should be changing at this time," council member Tricia Berg said. "Having the farmers market is so important to so many members of our community and I think there would be a lot of upset people if we were to change this."
Others on the council said that the way Grand Forks treats and supports its events sets the city apart and even ahead of other communities.
"The current program has been highly successful," council member Ken Vein said. "We've been an example to others and I think we've had some amazing outcomes that many others would wish they were having."
In other news, the council:
* Reminded people that the city is changing its water metering system and residents will be getting information from Keystone Utility Systems on setting up an appointment. The company is the same that East Grand Forks used when replacing its water meters. The
new meters will mean that the city no longer has to have staff drive around collecting water meter readings.
* Approved its 2025 Community Development Block Grant awards and reviewed its draft
five-year consolidated action plan for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
. The city will award $410,000 in federal funds to support housing in the city and will have a public hearing on April 7 for the plan.
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