Submitted Photo A statue of Casper Oimoen, an Olympian skier, stands in the Scandinavian Heritage Park. Photo courtesy of the Scandinavian Heritage Association.

The Scandinavian Heritage Park has been awarded a $250,000 Destination Development Grant from the North Dakota Department of Commerce, which announced $15 million in awards across 23 projects in the state on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

The funding will provide for upgrades to the Minot park to maintain its role as a key tourism draw celebrating the state’s Nordic roots, according to information from the Commerce Department.

Keven Davick, vice president of the Scandinavian Heritage Association, said the grant is welcome news, but the association still is attempting to get more information from the Commerce Department to understand the particulars of the approved project.

“We’re working to clarify the details of what has been committed to, under what circumstances and what participation,” he said. “”We’ve very excited, but we’ve got to get some details first.”

According to information provided in the announcement, the grant was awarded for landmark preservation, restorative safety upgrades and some new elements.

The department stated the $15 million in statewide investments will enhance tourism infrastructure, elevate visitor experiences and support long-term economic growth.

Among the projects is the Urbain Cote Round Barn RV Farm near Dunseith. The project was awarded $3 million toward restoring the iconic 1943 Urbain Cote Round Barn and surrounding farmstead into a hands-on agritourism destination featuring dairy demonstrations, a petting zoo and North Dakota’s only dairy museum. It will provide culinary experiences at a historic themed farm stand featuring fresh dairy, poultry, garden, berries and orchard produce. A 40-unit RV park, birding platforms and farm-themed play areas will attract visitors to the Turtle Mountain region, according to information regarding the grant award.

A $152,000 award was given to Heartland Trading Post, Rugby. This working ranch will add visitor accommodations and offer immersive experiences with ranch-raised bison products, fresh garden produce and other locally sourced merchandise, creating a showcase of North Dakota agriculture and craftsmanship, the grant information stated.

Stockman’s Square in Watford City was awarded $400,000. Located on Main Street, the square will feature a signature civic plaza celebrating the region’s ranching history. Open 365 days a year, the new square will be the new home for festivals, live music, vendor shows, food trucks, public art and seasonal programming. Additionally, there is an on-demand, interactive, QR-coded video library at Stockmen’s Square, providing more than 90 minutes of original storytelling that will be available to visitors 24/7.

The latest grant cycle included 106 applications from 45 communities that mapped out $153.2 million in proposals.

“Tourism plays an essential role in North Dakota, contributing to a strong economy by attracting visitors who spend money and pay taxes and helping to attract new residents and workforce,” Gov. Kelly Armstrong said in a news release. “This grant program will support projects that offer legendary experiences that make our state a unique destination.”

Commerce Tourism and Marketing Director Sara Otte Coleman emphasized the broader impact on communities and residents.

“By creating more experiences that attract new visitors and encourage longer stays, we’re not only boosting tourism but also enriching communities,” Otte Coleman said in the release. “This grant program empowers communities and businesses to develop and expand their tourism offerings in ways that drive economic growth, diversify local economies and showcase the unique stories and destinations that make our state special.”

Additional grant recipients include:

-Badlands Gateway Trails, Medora, $462,457 toward a new 8.1-mile trail system to connect downtown Medora to the surrounding Badlands, offering year-round access for hikers and bikers.

-Barn to Yarn Experience, Nome schoolhouse in Barnes County, $181,200 for an immersive agritourism experience featuring fiber-producing animals and including RV sites.

-Bear Creek Events and Cultural Center, Fargo area, $1 million to aid in expanding Bear Creek Winery to include boutique lodging, agritourism, cultural programming, wellness, and outdoor recreation, offering an outdoor stage, two pickleball courts, curated hiking, biking and cross-country skiing trails, a wine cave, greenhouse, wood-fired pizza oven, a local marketplace, and a seasonal cider and beer garden.

-Boathouse Bunkhouse in Devils Lake, $488,369 for unique lodging with a historic houseboat and new bunkhouse, attracting hunters, anglers and adventure travelers.

-Carrington Rainbow Gardens and Interpretive Center, Carrington, $200,000 for a Japanese-style garden, tea house and interactive exhibits. Rooted in the story of Harry Hayashi, a Japanese American entrepreneur who built the original Rainbow Gardens in Carrington in the 1930s, it will complement other area attractions.

-Hearthside Vineyard and Winery, Oakes, $500,000 for a rural retreat to include a winery, tasting room, patios and micro-stores showcasing local products.

-Icewind Brewing in Casselton, $350,000 to offer small-batch beers inspired by local flavors and upstairs lodging for guests seeking a cozy, immersive experience. It is located in a historic building in the heart of downtown.

-Jurassic Junction, Hettinger, $1.2 million to revitalize the Hettinger Bowling Alley into a dinosaur-themed, year-round destination with an open-air venue.

-Medora Conference and Heritage Commons, Medora, $250,000 toward a year-round facility to host conferences, retreats and cultural events. The adjoining outdoor Heritage Commons will be constructed to seat 100 and serve as a seasonal space for new immersive experiences, including seasonal clear igloo tents that allow visitors to enjoy sweeping views of the Badlands and farm-to-table dining tents highlighting regional agriculture.

-Miniature golf at Frontier Village, Jamestown, $212,500 for an 18-hole, locally themed miniature golf course.

-N.D. Country Fest accommodations and permanent stage, New Salem, $4 million. North Dakota’s largest country music festival will add permanent cabins, upgraded glamping and a year-round permanent stage.

-Raising the Bar for the Arts, Jamestown, $500,000. The Jamestown Fine Arts Association is transforming a historic downtown property into a year-round arts and culinary tourism destination.

-Red Panda Legacy Project, Fargo, $250,000 toward a red panda habitat at Red River Zoo, with four outdoor habitats connected by aerial bridges and a Red Panda encounter room for up-close interactions and year-round enjoyment.

-Red River Valley Grandstand, West Fargo, $616,697 for a grandstand to expand year-round programming and attract larger acts.

-6 Mile Lodge Expansion, Devils Lake, $250,000 toward the addition of a fifth cabin, fish/game cleaning facilities, sauna and kayak rentals..

-Tourism Makerspace Hub, Mandan, $500,000 to utilize a historic freight house for hands-on workshops, culinary tourism and tech-enabled souvenirs.

-Trestle Commons, Bismarck, $500,000 toward a multi-use downtown food hall that will feature rotating pop-up events, local vendors, public art and global flavors.

-Up North Cabins, Langdon, $97,000 to add a permanent structure to support growing demand for unplugged, rural getaways near the scenic Pembina Gorge. .

-Valley City Heritage Voices, Valley City, $31,303 for 20 talking trail sites and a World War II Heritage City exhibit at the Barnes County Museum.