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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) It’s a lofty goal but one that Economic Development officials will be working on endlessly.

The Valley Development Corporation is seeking ideas on the best direction to take to help Valley City grow to 8,000 and to help Barnes County reach a population of 14,000 once again.

Valley City Barnes County Development Corporation Director Jennifer Feist says it may be a lofty goal but it’s worth pursuing.

Barnes County Commission president Eldred Knutson says it’s all about affordable housing and good paying jobs.

Developer George Gaukler’s company is in the process of building a new affordable housing unit in Valley City. But he says more units are needed along with addition high paying jobs. Gaukler says the success of these projects is tied to the availability of the Flex Pace program.

Members of the Valley Development Corporation gathered ideas from the Barnes County Commission May 12 during a special board meeting.