JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – As the North Dakota Legislature enters its final days, a last-minute proposal for state financing of the Buffalo City Park in Jamestown has been brought forward.

The proposal was placed in the state Commerce Department’s budget in the final weeks of the current session, which would provide around $65 million in loans and grants for the proposed locally-run facility on state land near the National Buffalo Museum.

The plan would rely mostly on $60 million in loans from the recently approved legislation that creates an investment policy for North Dakota’s oil tax savings account. That legislation, signed by Governor Doug Burgum, would take 20% of future oil tax collections coming into the Legacy Fund to establish loans for expensive infrastructure projects and capital for other in-state companies.

According to the sources, the amendment has not been reviewed by budget writers. If approved, it would still need approval from the State Investment Board. The loan would also have to be matched with $5 million from local sources.

A special JSDC Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for this morning at 10 AM regarding the Buffalo City Park.