JSDC Business Development Director Corry Shevlin addresses the Jamestown Finance & Legal Committee on March 22, 2022.

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Jamestown Finance & Legal Committee moved to approve funding another year of the Jamestown Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC) Internship program for 2022.

Funding for the program comes from the Economic Development Funds and is cost shared between the city and county. JSDC Development Director Corry Shevlin says they city share of $42,000 would be paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.

While it’s hard to determine how successful the program was after one year, Shevlin says the idea is getting work experience and hopefully an intern and business that will consider a full-time position in the future.

Shevlin added they will reevaluate the program, as they do with other JSDC programs, every year and make adjustments as needed.

Mayor Dwaine Heinrich says it may also take some time before they know fully the impact the Internship Program has for Jamestown and Stutsman County.

Councilmember Dan Buchanan added that the program may still be considered a success as it provides valuable experience for future workforce, regardless if they locate in the region.

The committee unanimously voted to send the item to the city with a recommendation to pass.

In other committee business, approval was given for reimbursement of building loss funds to the JSDC in the amount of $3,813.55 with a city share of $3,432.19. The committee also approved funding for a new Automation INcentive Program in Stutsman County in the amount of $250,000 with the city share of $125,000.