The Main Street Initiative (MSI) Partners in Planning (PiP) grant program supports nonprofit organizations and/or local governments in completing a comprehensive plan or economic development/diversification strategic plan.
Donor Name: North Dakota Department of Commerce
State: North Dakota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 01/31/2022
Size of the Grant: $30,000
Grant Duration: 18 Months
Details:
The Department of Commerce leads the efforts to attract, retain, and expand wealth and improve the quality of life for the people of North Dakota.
Program Objective
This grant program is intended to empower communities to proactively plan their futures, seek smart, efficient infrastructure development, and offer a healthy, vibrant environment for residents and visitors.
How much funding is available?
PiP funds are from the North Dakota Department of Commerce (Commerce) Momentum Funds.
- Urban shall be defined as any community or region, based on the application, that exceeds a total population of 5,001 based on the 2020 Census data.
- Rural shall be defined as any community or region, based on the application, with a population of less than 5,000.
The Main Street Initiative (MSI) Community Advantage
- Community/Region
- Maximum: Award: $22,500
- Minimum Award: $5,000
- Match Required: 35% of amount requested – or up to $7,875
- MSI Community
- Maximum Award: $25,000
- Minimum Award: $7,500
- Match Required: 25% of amount requested- or up to $5,625
- MSI Champion Community
- Maximum Award: $30,000
- Minimum Award: $7,500
- Match Required: 20% of amount requested -or up to $6,000
Project Timeline
All Partners in Planning projects must be completed within 18 months of award notification.
Eligibility Criteria
PiP will support two types of grants to non-profits and/or local governments in North Dakota:
- Comprehensive Plans – intended to partially fund the creation of a new comprehensive plan, or for an update to an existing comprehensive plan that is more than five years old. This grant may also be used for a component plan related to an existing adopted comprehensive plan that is less than five years old. The plan must address at least one of these three of the pillars of Main Street Initiative: 21st Century workforce; smart, efficient infrastructure; and healthy, vibrant communities.
- A comprehensive plan for the local government should be a guide to a community/political subdivision’s physical, social, and economic development. Comprehensive plans are not meant to serve as land use regulations in themselves; instead, they provide a rational basis for local land use decisions with a long-term, strategic vision for future planning and political subdivision/community decisions.
- Eligible Entities – local political subdivisions (city, school, park, EDC, local tribal entity) or non-profit organization applying on behalf of a local government if accompanied by a letter of support for the grant AND proposed planning activities.
- Economic Development/Diversification Strategic Plan – intended to partially fund the creation of a new economic development plan or for a comprehensive update to an existing plan that is more than five years old for a community and/or region. The plan must address the fourth pillar of the Main Street Initiative: Economic development and Diversification along with workforce. An economic development plan may specifically address economic recovery due to impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic.
- An economic development plan should empower communities and political subdivisions to maintain a sense of place, become more resilient given economic challenges and opportunities, and can increase their overall community wellbeing. A strategic economic development plan helps individuals and communities see where they want to go and make decisions on how to get there.
- Eligible Entities – City, County, Economic Development organization (JDA, regional Councils, EDC, CVB) and local tribal entities
A community is eligible to apply for multiple rounds, contingent the current PiP project is completed, and Commerce has received all deliverables and activities outlined in the approved budget. Non-government entities must be registered with the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office to be eligible to receive funding.
For more information, visit PiP Grant Program.
