[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5985126,"mediaKeyId","5832979-2638e2fce1c6b4abefebfd4d150743c0","parentId",5832979,"title","Grand Forks Growth Fund approves FlexPace loan to Associated Potato Growers; approves short loan deferral for Safety Spec","audioSeconds",755,"startMs",385000,"endMs",1140000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5832979-2638e2fce1c6b4abefebfd4d150743c0&start=385&end=1140","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5832979-2638e2fce1c6b4abefebfd4d150743c0/thumbnail_385000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5985126/Grand-Forks/Grand-Forks-County/North-Dakota/Grand-Forks-Growth-Fund-approves-FlexPace-loan-to-Associated-Potato-Growers-approves-short-loan-deferral-for-Safety-Spec","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5985126-b9094d562311b11216dd2fc15c0781e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775123467&Signature=RTznj-~CmpuXkcmmHCnAc4wnj8fZrQrpjAuNZ2bftMbBallFOl3QQYwkDvIRAGfFzMbrBxRpbrFgnspukb~UoWV533S8vh6lQAOVemiMAy9pkx6pq6md9-sYVaROp0SzuYA2yeVB4ipUeXj7xk1Z0PMYqWImxNPXoRSeN5TMQH3B29-kq~mNY3v8esJq5LhU2d4pUtKn6MafH26ufGRGLrnwSnhncsrg--ScEqmU-vJNnz6TqQovhnLPboFCcC9lzWJupe6l0LJQCVKvL1hLFFB7d8aPx53rM852gMBa2U6Kp-BP2RKBuG8JT-jC5edafsvrYCo7Ul-hGRjb2SEjPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grand Forks","date","2025-09-15T00:00:00Z","article","At its Sept. 15 meeting the Grand Forks Growth Fund approved a FlexPace loan request for Associated Potato Growers Inc. and separately approved a short loan modification request from Safety Spec.

Associated Potato Growers (APGI) requested a FlexPace buy‑down of $29,049 to reduce the commercial bank loan on a $425,000 equipment purchase to install a new automated sorting system in the Grand Forks facility. Staff said the equipment is intended to improve automation and quality control; the city loan would be repaid over 12 months at 2.5% with repayment deferred for seven years and secured by a subordinate blanket UCC on the equipment. Committee staff reported the overall loan‑to‑value is about 71% and that APGI expects the project to help retain nine full‑time employees; staff noted seasonal employment increases to roughly 22 workers at peak season. The Growth Fund committee voted to approve the FlexPace request unanimously.

On a separate agenda item the committee considered a loan modification for Safety Spec, which previously was placed on a restructured payment schedule because of a delayed federal award. Staff said Safety Spec recently received final approval for its federal ARPA‑related grant but continued delays in accessing funds created a short cash‑flow gap. Safety Spec asked for a 90‑day payment deferral; staff proposed the company would continue to accrue interest at 6% during the deferral and would add three months to the end of the amortization schedule. The Growth Fund committee approved the 90‑day deferral with interest continuing to accrue; one member recused on the vote and the item passed with committee approval (vote recorded as six in favor, one dissent and one recusal on the roll-call present in the meeting minutes).

Why it matters: The Associated Potato Growers loan is an example of local economic development support for equipment purchases that aim to retain regional food-processing jobs. The Safety Spec deferral illustrates the Growth Fund’s use of short-term flexibility when federal grants that underpin projects are delayed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Grand Forks Growth Fund and City Council 9-15-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Growth Fund committee approved a $29,049 FlexPace buy‑down to support Associated Potato Growers’ equipment purchase and unanimously approved a 90‑day deferral of a loan payment for Safety Spec pending federal grant drawdown.","taxTitle","Grand Forks, Grand Forks County, North Dakota","taxId",3815,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5985131,"Grand Forks council approves 2026 budget after heated debate; requires NEST to report rules, location and a six‑month evaluation",2700,8727000,11427000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5832979-2638e2fce1c6b4abefebfd4d150743c0&start=8727&end=11427","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5832979-2638e2fce1c6b4abefebfd4d150743c0/thumbnail_8727000.jpg","/articles/5985131/Grand-Forks/Grand-Forks-County/North-Dakota/Grand-Forks-council-approves-2026-budget-after-heated-debate-requires-NEST-to-report-rules-location-and-a-sixmonth-evaluation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5985131-1ca7532041274c64281f3e5c5b9eed69/orig.mp4?Expires=1775123467&Signature=RDOs21eW1hKwHJDel9DhZZX42LFYDqT7Cffk50YXOrkt4OBA4K37zj13fQtUOO9uu6SpbmHdTJCWPw~E1qnxdDh0JpmovOUa7Rj7aAUiwfvI7IzhfOk43Qxx8tthmynEiLfx8T7QMvhForO1ckuD8yzX~UboY3FYZOWBylUVfzCnUcp7CdDXKW4F2oivj6mZeUcPVHXYVo--2tW214S4w5GZlBEjwRT~ROrYAikie-6QpxDO5G6ob4a6xS0rbxau962k-rpFlMNwRxcjtl8E5-feqIsR5GPpi~sSuelkbH-jDRrNceK59~K8-OLhG1fTvvam4BRYDg6mC5HzOp8~bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Forks City Council adopted the city’s 2026 budget, including the 2026 salary plan and fee schedule, and approved adding nine 9‑1‑1 dispatchers to the public‑safety defined‑benefit pension plan, during a Sept. 15 vote that passed 6–1. Councilmember Salski cast the lone dissenting vote.

The meeting’s budget discussion included a lengthy public and council debate over the Nest, the city‑supported low‑barrier shelter located in the downtown health services corridor. Several council members and many residents raised concerns about downtown quality of life and public safety tied to a small number of high‑contact individuals the police identified; others said closing or defunding the Nest would make the downtown crisis worse and shift costs and risk to emergency departments and the street.

After several unsuccessful motions to remove Nest funding outright, the council passed the budget along with a motion that conditions the city’s 2026 contribution on several deliverables from the Nest and its partners: (1) return to the council within one month with proposed operational parameters and rules tied to the city funding; (2) produce a six‑month evaluation of outcomes tied to the city contribution; (3) evaluate alternative locations for the Nest; and (4) implement stay limits for individuals tied to city funding (the council asked for a 60‑day cap per year as a funding condition) and require clients receiving city‑funded stays to be connected to a designated service provider within 15 days.

Councilmembers who supported the motion said the conditions create oversight and measurable expectations while preserving a place‑based emergency shelter in the near term. Councilmembers who opposed the budget objected to new taxes and utility rate increases in the proposed budget and expressed concern about certain capital and program items (arts grants, BMX funding, and continued support for the city’s community “Hive” facility). The mayor and budget staff said the proposal balanced public‑safety, capital and quality‑of‑life priorities and that staff had trimmed proposals since the initial mayor’s budget.

Vote: The motion to adopt the 2026 budget and include the dispatchers and the Nest conditions passed 6–1 (Weigel Yes; Salski No; Berg Yes; Klenski Yes; Bridal Yes; Dean Yes; President Sandy Yes). The council also approved a number of ordinance changes and fee adoptions contained in the budget package during the final vote.

Why it matters: The budget sets city spending and fees for 2026 and establishes near‑term monitoring and operational conditions for the Nest shelter. The conditions give the city a timeline to evaluate the Nest’s impact and to require operational changes tied to municipal funding.","After extended debate about downtown safety and shelter placement, the City Council approved the 2026 operating and capital budget Sept. 15 and added conditions on municipal funding for the low‑barrier shelter known as the Nest.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5985136,"Grand Forks officials, providers form working group as homelessness and shelter needs rise",2092,4051000,6143000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5832979-2638e2fce1c6b4abefebfd4d150743c0&start=4051&end=6143","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5832979-2638e2fce1c6b4abefebfd4d150743c0/thumbnail_4051000.jpg","/articles/5985136/Grand-Forks/Grand-Forks-County/North-Dakota/Grand-Forks-officials-providers-form-working-group-as-homelessness-and-shelter-needs-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5985136-2bff218b0874dde45351126efe53427b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775123467&Signature=VbOMkZ0Me5QhlRHhXlfr2WDG7WQyow3e5GXuzTbT8F~PChl~gRYOpNQMH27ZK739VwRPVgxpKSKu0ugdo5wgHFcH2uqjtkWZ3E3yWvw8d6u0t1ye0~q58inofZsA3Ku25DP4iWyy~mlgdt3DhhoUCvy4zcIl0TscFZIEJr1Wa7ApEOP8-S8E86j-Sh9DNtuka8nE9t5PRqPd4EwUr~bmJPH7pAFiOozOk2R8DKImAac86mR~Ac6DaUHv0pdrbiApvmVEXdmFA9v7FPaJ2jhentyEqpkEbFMzUlGLV6~xaIiNFZ~3qMI5T4QelzYf4Xh6SrZoX1Ajqcgi-ERwS07dLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City council members, public-health staff, law enforcement and a range of nonprofit and health providers met Sept. 15 in Grand Forks to review rising shelter demand, coordinate services and plan next steps after the recent dissolution of Red River Valley Community Action. The working group discussed short-term shelter gaps, expanded medical withdrawal-management services and longer-term housing needs.

The city’s community development manager, Colin Hanson, said Red River Valley Community Action has moved to dissolve and that the agency owns three properties: Ernie’s Place, a triplex built with federal pass-through funding and the Gateway Drive office. Hanson said the triplex is subject to a 20-year affordability period tied to HUD restrictions and that the city holds a $150,000 mortgage and a land‑use covenant on that property; Bremer Bank holds a prior mortgage on the site.

City public-health director Tess Walsh convened the working group to create a “continuum” view of needs from households at risk of losing housing to people who are unsheltered and disconnected from services. Walsh summarized recent meetings and said the group will focus on reducing duplication and identifying opportunities to direct limited funds where they can help people into long-term housing.

Nonprofit providers and health systems described how the local shelter and health system currently operates. Elton Hendrickson of Homeless Helpers said his volunteer group provides short stays, typically one to two nights, and has tracked hundreds of shelter nights year to year. Kayla Hostetler of Spectra Health described the clinic’s use of coordinated-entry and the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to triage crises and connect people to housing and services, and warned that long application wait times for vouchers (about a year) and other barriers make long-term placement slow.

Koya Hopkins of CVIC (Mary’s Place) described a broader program of crisis shelter, transitional assistance and therapy and reported that demand had grown notably in recent years.

Northeast Human Service Center said it plans to open an enhanced withdrawal-management (“social detox”) service, located on Center, Inc.’s first floor, with 24-hour psychiatrist on-call coverage, on-site medications to manage withdrawal, 24‑hour nursing coverage and crisis stabilization already operating. Dr. Rose Julius, Northeast medical director, said the social‑detox component is scheduled to begin operations Nov. 1, with the purpose of providing an intermediate level of care so people who do not meet medical‑detox or hospital admission criteria can be supervised safely while withdrawing.

Altru Health System said it plans a long-term expansion of inpatient behavioral‑health capacity, moving from 24 to 48 inpatient psychiatric beds over the next 15–20 months. Corey Gaffrey, Altru’s chief nursing officer, said the expanded unit will treat people with acute exacerbations of psychiatric illness and will help regional emergency departments.

Police Chief Jason Friedman presented department data showing a 12% increase in calls for service across the downtown area in 2025 compared with last year and a 25% rise since 2023. Town Square, a downtown hotspot, had a larger spike in instances this year than in previous years. Friedman told the council his staff identified a small group of persistently high‑contact individuals: six people accounted for more than 1,000 calls for service across a four‑year window; most of the incidents have been low‑level, nonviolent quality‑of‑life calls. He said the police department is coordinating with community partners and a newly funded diversion program to target persistent drivers of disruptive calls.

State Recovery and Reentry Commissioner Jonathan Holt told the council the governor’s office has prioritized homelessness and recovery work and pledged state partnership on regional responses.

Next steps identified by the working group include deeper case reviews of the highest‑contact individuals, continued collaboration among behavioral-health, housing and law‑enforcement partners, and a review of the Red River Valley Community Action properties with Bremer Bank and state authorities as the agency dissolves. Stakeholders said the group will continue to meet and supply periodic updates to the council.

Why it matters: City and county officials, health-care providers and shelter operators told the council that a small number of high‑need people are driving large demands on responders, shelter beds and downtown businesses; providers emphasized the difference between short‑term crisis response, medical withdrawal care and sustained housing placements. The council-directed working group will be the primary venue to translate the new data and the state and provider commitments into operational steps.","City leaders and nonprofit and health providers convened a cross-agency working group Sept. 15 to coordinate shelter, behavioral health and housing responses after two local nonprofit closures and rising downtown service calls.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Grand Forks Growth Fund approves FlexPace loan to Associated Potato Growers; approves short loan deferral for Safety Spec

Grand Forks council approves 2026 budget after heated debate; requires NEST to report rules, location and a six‑month evaluation

Grand Forks officials, providers form working group as homelessness and shelter needs rise