13-05-2025
JSDC board funds $1M for program to develop residential lots
May 13—JAMESTOWN — The Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp. Board of Directors unanimously approved on Monday, May 12, funding $1 million for a program that would help develop infrastructure for residential lots.
The program would be 100% funded by the city of Jamestown's economic development fund with Jamestown City Council approval.
The JSDC board previously approved in March a forgivable loan of $1 million to the city of Jamestown that would have been used as matching dollars for the Housing for Opportunity, Mobility and Empowerment (HOME) grant program established by Senate Bill 2225.
Senate Bill 2225 failed in the North Dakota Legislature.
The HOME program would have provided grant dollars for one-third of the infrastructure costs for residential development projects. The local political subdivision and the developer of the residential lots would have each provided one-third of the costs for residential development projects.
The JSDC is structuring the program similarly to the HOME grant program. The JSDC's program will fund 50% of the infrastructure costs for new residential development while the developer pays 50% of those costs.
The $1 million allocated for the HOME grant program will go toward the JSDC's similar program.
The same parameters for the HOME grant program will be used with the JSDC's program. A minimum of five residential lots would need to be developed and the agreements for residential lot development would be between the city of Jamestown and the developer.
"I don't think it's prudent for us to be investing in single lots ... across town," Shevlin said.
The program can only be used for residential projects within Jamestown city limits.
Mayor Dwaine Heinrich, a member of the JSDC board, said residential lots are needed in Jamestown.
"They have to be somewhat affordable or we have lots that nobody can afford," he said.
Heinrich said the City Council will need to decide if the remaining portion of the developer's cost will be included in the lot sale so the purchaser of the lot will be buying it without any special assessments.
He also said the intent of the program is to make the lots affordable for the community.
"We just want to make sure that there are lots in the community for people who want to build a house," he said.
In other business, the JSDC board unanimously approved seven internships for the organization's Internship Reimbursement Program.
Six internships will be eligible for the maximum reimbursement of $3,500. One internship is eligible for $1,425 of reimbursement.
The program contributes up to $3,500 to reimburse employers that hire university or college students to assist in payroll costs. The program allows employers to get half of the internship reimbursed.
Employers are required to pay the intern at least $15 per hour.
The employer and internship position must be located in Stutsman County. Interns must be juniors or seniors or within two years of completing their program.
