Commission resolves to renew Renaissance Zone program

An incentive program designed to encourage investment in New Rockford is slated for renewal. Amanda Hegland, Executive Director of the New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation, appealed to the New Rockford City Commission Monday to renew the Renaissance Zone program.

The Renaissance Zone is a state program designed to help revitalize communities. Both residents and business owners receive state and local tax incentives for five years for investing in the community. The Renaissance Zone was first established in New Rockford in 2008.

In the first 15 years, 33 zone projects were approved. Of those projects, 28 involved business development. Eight new business properties were constructed, and 11 existing businesses benefited.

Hegland explained that the NRABC did not propose to add or delete any blocks, as the original 25.5 block zone encompasses the majority of the city’s existing businesses and includes vacant property and commercial structures that can be developed for new construction.

The project goals for the next five years were updated, however, to reflect existing conditions.

“Our goals going forward will be to sustain the zone and build upon this, working to achieve at least two zone projects per year,” Hegland stated.

There are four main goals:

1. Attract new businesses and career opportunities in New Rockford while promoting,

retaining and growing our existing businesses utilizing our existing community

strengths

2. Expand New Rockford’s Tourism Industry. NRABC aims to engage in a robust marketing program to draw visitors to the community, and anticipates that, as a result, business opportunities will open in hospitality, lodging, experiential tourism and niche retail.

3. Support long-term small businesses success by encouraging existing business property owners to rehabilitate their properties on the inside and out, increasing their appeal. In addition, the RZA will seek out investors to renovate vacant buildings and/or construct new buildings on vacant lots and lease them to new target businesses.

4. Concentrate efforts to remediate the number of vacant/idle homes in New

Rockford. City leaders want to see homes renovated and occupied in the city’s core, and investment that results in the construction of new housing stock.

The city passed a resolution to seek renewal of the New Rockford, ND Renaissance Zone. Once approved by the state, the renewal is good for five years.

Property owners and anyone with interest in investing in the New Rockford community should reach out to Hegland for more information about the program. Call (701) 947-2205 or email [email protected].

With the new child care center slated to open in the Brown Memorial this week, Hegland also provided an update on the renovations underway and what is still needed.

NRABC successfully obtained $62,000 from a regional workforce grant to support the new venture. The city must provide a $12,700 local match for the project, which must be actual expenditures documented with receipts.

The fire marshal did an inspection the prior week, and he identified two issues to address:

An integrated fire alarmsystem must be installed throughout the building

Renovation must be done to meet fire code. There are a few options, including the installation of a sprinkler system throughout, installation of an emergency exit door in the middle of the club room, or removal of the barrier wall between the northwest entry and the clubroom.

Hegland recommended removing the wall. She obtained estimates for moving electrical and purchasing materials, a total of $2,500. Any labor costs would be additional, and yet to be determined.

NRABC can use grant funds for this, she noted, but a certified planner or architect must sign off on the demolition. They have a year to complete the work. The commission agreed to the course of action.

As for the integrated fire alarm system, commissioners concurred that it should be a priority.

“We should have done it already,” Richer said.

Yri Electric recently installed new fire alarms and emergency lights, per Hirchert. The commission authorized Hirchert to seek a bid/estimate from Yri for integration with the work to be completed at the city’s expense as soon as possible.

On Dec. 12 and 13, the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development and Finance Division will be holding its quarterly meeting in New Rockford. There is a 5:30 p.m. public meeting on Monday at New Rockford Eagles Club. On Tuesday the staff will take a tour of New Rockford.

Tree Board member Gerri Makay presented a proposal to the commission to reorganize the City Tree Board. The city commission has the authority to make official appointments, per city ordinance.

Four citizens have agreed to serve - Karen Anderson, Donna Gedrose, Mike Nicolai and Gerri Makay. Auditor Becki Schumacher has agreed to serve as the fifth. NDSU Extension Agent Chandy Howard will be asked to serve in an advisory capacity.

The tree board has not met since Schumacher started with the city. Makay and Schumacher recommended that the city appoint the individuals who expressed interest. A reorganization meeting would be held before year-end, in which the board would determine the term length for each member (one, two or three years) so as to stagger them as the ordinance requires.

Commissioners asked Schumacher to confirm with two long-serving members, George and Nancy Ritzke, that they have in fact vacated their seats, and approved the appointments pending that confirmation.

In other business:

• The commission approved one gaming permit for Norsemen Motorcycle Club raffle

• Notices to Abate will be sent out to owners of nuisance vehicles at the end of February, with request to abate by the April meeting.

• NDDOT informed the city that Hwy. 281 through New Rockford will be chip sealed in the summer of 2023.

• Commissioners approved two changes to the special assessments for the street project, including one abatement of a landlocked parcel and corrections to several parcels owned by the same entity.

The next meeting is set for Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 7 p.m.