Rugby JDA is a local government entity with a board of directors responsible for financial oversight, as well as providing direction and approval of policies, programs and projects. The board meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7 a.m.

The Rugby JDA went without an official director for a prolonged period until Zachary Broadwell was hired on March 20, 2024. Before Broadwell’s hiring, consultant Ellen Huber provided part- time assistance.

Broadwell has taken the bull by the horns since taking on the position by doggedly advocating for the community’s needs to attract development and service providers and at the current state Legislature session.

According to the Rugby JDA website, one avenue offered by the JDA is a partnership with the Bank of North Dakota buy down for qualifying businesses through the Partnership in Assisting Community Expansion Program (PACE). The Rugby JDA and the Bank of North Dakota buy down up to 5% interest on the loan for those programs to help expand the local economic base by assisting primary sector businesses that make an investment or create jobs. The JDA also offers a 50/50 sign program for businesses contained within the Rugby city limits to match 50 percent of the cost of new signage, up to a total of $5,000.

Rugby Electric and Solid Grounds Coffee Shop are two local businesses which utilized 50/50 sign program from the Rugby Jobs Development Agency.

Business or investment located in downtown Rugby may also get a boost through tax incentives introduced through the Renaissance Zone Act. Qualifying projects include constructing a new building, rehabilitating a building owned within the zone, buying a building or primary residence in the zone and making significant improvements, or leasing a building being rehabilitated as a zone project.

Such properties can seek an exemption for 100% state income tax derived from the business or investment location for five years. Additional exemptions can be sought for buildings, structures, and improvements purchased or rehabilitated as a zone project for up to five years.

Housing, childcare

The Rugby JDA has also made efforts to address several critical needs in the community, namely in the realms of housing and childcare.

The 2025 Rugby Housing Incentive Program seeks to reduce the cost of constructing quality, affordable housing in the community. In addition to providing shovel-ready lots with zero special assessments for previously installed infrastructure, the 2025 program also includes special pricing of $2 per square foot for buyers of the first six lots sold this year in the Chalmers First Addition.

Rugby Electric and Solid Grounds Coffee Shop are two local businesses which utilized 50/50 sign program from the Rugby Jobs Development Agency.

Developers availing themselves of the program are required to start construction within a year of closing, and substantially completed construction sufficient for occupancy of the home or housing units.

This program has already attracted significant interest from Dickinson developer Affordable Housing Developers, which is pursuing the construction of row homes in the Chalmers Addition. According to the Jan. 11 edition of The Pierce County Tribune, Broadwell announced at a Rugby City Council meeting that after months of courting, the board of AHD had voted to approve moving forward with the development.

The developer recently agreed to fund a housing study of Rugby which will be used to shore up applications for state Housing Incentive Funds that will be appropriated by the Legislature this session. Broadwell also stated the developer would be able to use the flex-based program and other avenues should they choose to apply.

The availability of childcare in Rugby has also been a critical need in the last few years. The JDA offers a grant of up to $1,000 per year for licenced childcare facilities to defray the costs for a number of uses, from purchasing toys and books, outdoor playsets, new appliances, bathroom updates, repair to ceilings and walls, adding or replacing flooring, repairing or replacing doors, converting egress windows, or purchasing childcare program furniture.