VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Mayor Dave Carlsrud conducted a tour of the reconstruction project in Valley City on Wednesday, May 1st with state and local officials.
Carlsrud issued this statement to the media about the project.
“Thanks to Governor Burgum’s Main Street Initiative (MSI), construction has begun in Valley City. The Valley City project includes electrical infrastructure, streetlights, traffic signals, bump outs and expanded sidewalks. In Valley City’s case, monies had been saved and earmarked for a Streetscape Project. It was certainly a noble plan, but costs being what they are, the project would not have been feasible.
That Governor Burgum believes in North Dakota Communities and to that end has afforded them favorable cost shares, communities are able to complete construction that were previously only dreams.
We are striving to meet the Governor’s “Three Pillars of Economic Success”:
(1) A Skilled Work Force
(2) Smart, Efficient Infrastructure
(3) Healthy Vibrant Communities
With the MSI Project, Valley City will “touch” a bit on all three Pillars.”
North Dakota Deputy Commerce Commissioner Shawn Kessel said Valley City was the first city in North Dakota to be selected for this commerce department grant known as the Main Street Initiative.
Kessel said the city has a good comprehensive plan in place that works to help the downtown business district look attractive in Valley City. But he’s also aware of the push back from some business owners and community members about the reconstruction project.
Kessel along with city and local North Dakota Department of Transportation officials got a tour of the work underway in downtown Valley City. The full interview is available below.
