Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Downtown Moorhead Inc. outlines development wins, Makara Industrial Park activity and sustainable aviation fuel progress
Summary
Downtown Moorhead Inc. updated the Clay County commissioners on land sales at the Makara Industrial Park, a new commercial brokerage (Goldmark), downtown redevelopment at the former mall site and ongoing work on a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) project; DEED visits and a paid family medical leave briefing were scheduled in September.
Derek, representing Downtown Moorhead Inc., briefed Clay County commissioners on Aug. 12 about economic development activity, including industrial land sales, downtown redevelopment and progress on a proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) project.
Derek said Goldmark Commercial was selected in a recent RFP to market city-owned land at Makara Industrial Park and will undertake branding and outreach to attract investment. He said sales activity there has increased and that local brokerage and regional marketing could help land sales move forward.
On a large, regionally significant project, Derek discussed ongoing work with DG Fuels, a proposed sustainable aviation fuel facility. He said DG Fuels is advancing federal funding applications and is exploring an option agreement to secure roughly 550 acres adjacent to the Moorhead Airport for due diligence over the next 6'12 months. Derek said federal tax credits and Department of Energy applications are central to the project's financing and that the applicant sees a viable path after recent congressional action restored some credits.
Derek also detailed downtown Moorhead redevelopment at the former mall site: demolition of remaining structures is expected by September, commercial spaces are being filled (including Downtown Chiropractic), and the 650 Center project by Kevin Bartram will add mixed commercial and residential units, with underground or first-floor parking and an anticipated 1:1 parking ratio for units. Derek said the new Moorhead Public Library/community center (opening planned in 2026) and private investment are accelerating downtown activity.
Derek asked for continued county support on regional economic issues and noted scheduled visits in September by Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) staff and a paid family and medical leave official for local business briefings.
