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West Central Initiative tells Clay County it has reinvested about $18 million locally over nearly 40 years
Summary
Representatives from West Central Initiative briefed the county on programs and reported $18 million in grants and loans returned to Clay County since 1986; presenters described recent loan activity, Main Street Revitalization grants and EDA planning work.
Representatives of West Central Initiative (WCI) updated the Clay County Board on the organization’s regional programs May 13 and presented a statement showing nearly $18 million in loans and grants reinvested in Clay County since WCI began lending in 1986.
Rebecca Lynn Peterson, WCI director of development and philanthropic services, told commissioners the cover check reflects long‑term reinvestment into the county’s businesses and communities. “That $18,000,000 check reflects the dollars that we've returned to Clay County in grants and loans over the past almost 40 years,” she said.
Greg Wagner, WCI’s director of business and economic development, described recent economic‑development results: West Central applied for and administered state Main Street Revitalization dollars along the County 10 corridor and said about $1 million in grants has been allocated to businesses along the corridor that includes Moorhead and communities to the east. Wagner also said Promise Act grants and loans were awarded; of the competitive statewide program, three awards benefited Clay County businesses. He reported that in the last 17 months WCI made about $950,000 in loans to Clay County businesses and that total grants and loans invested in Clay County during that period reached roughly $2.8 million.
WCI staff described their role as the economic development district (EDD) partner with federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) support and said they are preparing the region’s five‑year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for release in 2027. WCI representatives asked county leaders to remain engaged as the CEDS is drafted and said they will continue to help communities apply for state and federal funding.
Commissioners thanked WCI for local assistance and noted WCI’s role in multi‑county water projects, workforce and business assistance. WCI said it will continue quarterly reporting and coordination with county staff and will return with updates as grant and loan activity proceeds.
