Dislike for Minot Area Chamber EDC’s involvement in efforts to defeat Measure 4 wasn’t enough to strip the organization of city funds Monday.

Council member Scott Samuelson recommended removing $559,650 from the 2025 budget, which eliminates all MACEDC funding except the amount going to Task Force 21.

“The reason why I am doing this tonight is no taxpayer funds should be used for any activity to support or in opposition of a statewide initiated measure,” Samuelson said.

MACEDC supports Keep It Local Coalition, which is campaigning against the measure to eliminate property taxes in North Dakota.

Brekka Kramer, president/CEO for MACEDC, said city funds go to support economic development, military support and workforce development. County funds go to economic development, and state funds go to workforce development and military support, she said.

“We separate those funds very specifically,” Kramer said.

MACEDC’s other funding from investor dues and privately raised money is the portion allocated to support for Keep It Local, and the decision to provide that support came from the MACEDC board after consideration of both sides of the measure, she said.

“The side that is funded by the City of Minot goes toward major macro economic efforts,” she said. “We are also working on natural gas solutions. One of the biggest barriers to economic development is access to natural gas.

“The message, Alderman Samuelson, that you are looking to send to our organization by defunding economic development is not accomplishing what you’re asking today to do. It is impacting the major things that we are celebrating big wins on today. The logistics park and intermodal service – it took 20 years to get that off the ground.”

“I think the optics of it look pretty bad because whether you guys separate the funds or not, the Minot Area Chamber EDC is one group in everybody’s minds, and it gets city funds – in a big amount,” council member Rob Fuller said.

Council member Mike Blessum said MACEDC gave $5,000 to fight against the grassroots members who stand behind Measure 4, which includes many residents of Minot.

“I don’t think this is the right way to change direction on economic development, so my vote will be no,” he said of defunding MACEDC. “But I do think it’s time we take a look at this because this two-headed monster we fund this way is actively working against our population.”

The council voted 1-6, with Samuelson in favor, to reject the defunding.