NEW TOWN A Fort Worth, Texas, company plans to provide three crew camps in three segments of the Fort Berthold Reservation, with the revenues generated from the crew camps to build about 210 single-family homes for Three Affiliated Tribes' members living on the reservation.
There also are plans for construction of a truck stop, hotels and restaurants for the Four Bears Segment, an area west of New Town.
Michael Bay, managing member of Enspire Management Consulting Group, LLC, told The Minot Daily News this week that initially, the project was for the Four Bears Segment but two other segments wanted to be part of it and the project has been expanded to include New Town and Mandaree.
The Fort Berthold Reservation is in the heart of the Bakken oil boom and in dire need of housing.
Enspire officials presented their project and a resolution to the tribal business council May 14 at New Town.
The resolution would allow the company and the tribes to form a strategic alliance arrangement to work together in a partnership to provide for the new houses in the Four Bears, New Town and Mandaree segments.
The council's Executive Committee unanimously approved the resolution and it will be voted on by the council at its next meeting June 14.
According to the project overview, Enspire would be given authority to pursue the construction of three new crew camps and also new homes and new construction of or upgrades to existing wastewater treatment facilities in the three segments.
Bay said each housing subdivision is estimated with a value of $5.8 million each. He said the houses would be 1,100 to 1,200 square feet with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Besides a truck stop, hotels and restaurants in the Four Bears Segment, a number of recreational developments and tourist attractions including possibly a family water park at or near Lake Sakakawea in the Four Bears Segment are part of the plans.
Bay said the revenue from the crew camps would generate the necessary capital to build the new subdivisions and houses at no cost to the Three Affiliated Tribes.
According to the plans, the crew camps would be closed camps and would contract rooms to companies instead of to individual workers. The initial estimates call for up to 960 rooms on the Four Bears, New Town and Mandaree sites, according to the news release.
The crew camps would have amenities such as a cafeteria, laundry, exercise facility and commissary. Enspire would provide onsite management and also 24-hour security. Entering and leaving the crew camps would be restricted to one secured gate and entrance at each location.
Bay said they hope to begin the crew camp part of the project in 45 days.