Bethel Lutheran seeks $15 million from Williams County for $72.4 million nursing home project

Keith Lubgren, director of Bethel Lutheran Foundation, and Belinda Moen, CEO and administrator of Bethel Lutheran Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, asked the Williams County Board of County Commissioners on May 20 to consider a $15,000,000 county investment toward a new $72,400,000 Bethel Home facility.

The request was presented during the meeting’s public comment period; commissioners asked questions and said they would review the proposal but made no formal commitment. "We are committed to continuing this legacy for decades to come, but we cannot do it alone," Lubgren told the board.

Why it matters: Bethel Lutheran has operated a long-term care facility in Williston for decades and said the existing building—about 77 years old—cannot be made efficient or brought up to current standards without replacement. The foundation and facility leaders said the new building would offer 90 skilled beds and 10 basic care beds, private bathrooms and showers in each resident room, ceiling lifts, a larger rehab area with a courtyard, and a chapel off the main entrance.

Project and funding details provided to the commissioners include a $72,400,000 project total with an estimated build cost of $69,900,000. The foundation said the funding plan includes a $30,500,000 bond, a $2,400,000 donated land purchase, an additional $5,000,000 contributed by the foundation, an anticipated $6,500,000 from sale of the existing Second Avenue property, and a capital campaign target of about $28,000,000. The presenters said they have received roughly $1,400,000 in pledges and gifts to date.

Lubgren and Moen said the facility employs about 200 people across multiple departments and currently has a census of 83 skilled and five basic care residents. The presenters gave an estimated construction timeline: break ground in the fourth quarter of 2025, roughly two years of construction, and a ribbon cutting in fourth quarter 2027 or first quarter 2028.

Commissioners’ response: Commissioners asked about fundraising progress and large donors; Lubgren said they were in communication with major supporters but would not identify them. After the presentation, the commissioners said they would review the materials and stay in contact; no motion was made and no vote occurred on a county contribution.

What’s next: The presentation was informational and part of the public comment/unfinished business period. The county did not commit funds at the meeting; commissioners indicated they would review the proposal further before any formal action.