Ward County and City of Minot were unsuccessful in getting a federal grant for a planning study on the first two phases of the proposed Southwest Connector Corridor Project. However, future funding has been approved for a roundabout at County Roads 17 and 14, which lies in the corridor area.

The Ward County Commission on Thursday acknowledged the receipt of information regarding the unsuccessful RAISE grant. The county has the option to apply for additional grants for the corridor study as they become available.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation reported the county has been approved for Highway Safety Improvement Project funding in 2027 for the roundabout. The future funding allows design work to start next year.

The commission also approved a recommendation from the Metropolitan Planning Organization Steering Committee regarding the organization of an MPO board. The board will oversee transportation projects within the MPO boundaries.

The recommendation, which also goes to the participating cities, suggests three representatives for Minot, two for Ward County and one each for Surrey and Burlington. The board chair would rotate among representatives of Minot, Ward County and Surrey. The entities are to name their representatives by July 13.

In other business, the commission received presentations related to 2024 funding requests from organizations that are among those that have been included in previous county budgets.

The requests were: North Dakota State Fair, $500,000; Domestic Violence Crisis Center, $47,259; Ward County Historical Society, $97,685; Project BEE, $210,000; and Lake County Historical Society, $16,000.

Ward County’s taxable valuation is up about $15.8 million in 2023 over 2022, according to figures from the Ward County tax office.

Although the overall taxable valuation is up 4.66%, the increase from new residential and commercial property growth is up just 0.86%.