What economic development project would you like to see undertaken in your local community?
RECYCLE
Recycling can drink up a lot of funds, but I would like to see the community in which I live (Bowman) recycle many things that we unthinkingly toss in the trash can.
Clean glass, plastic, cardboard and newspapers, if they were separated and recycled, would greatly decrease the quantity being hauled to the landfill. Recycling aluminum cans, which Bowman does, is an awesome beginning, but recycling other items as well would be so rewarding.
Yvonne Stegner
Slope Electric Cooperative
RELOCATE
It's time to have residents relocate from overcrowded urban areas of our country to the hurting rural towns in North Dakota. Many of our towns have good schools, inexpensive housing and a quality lifestyle. What they don’t have is an adequate workforce.
Bringing in people, some of whom are “not like us” makes us feel uncomfortable. Their ways and values may be different. But maybe we can learn something from them, and they just may buy into our rural North Dakota work ethic. And racial tensions might ease.
Would this not be good economic development for both our state and our country?
Curt Kost
Member of KEM Electric Cooperative
BUILD
Like many small-town main streets across North Dakota, Carrington is struggling to stay alive. However, due to Gov. Doug Burgum’s Main Street Initiative, many conversations have begun, and ideas sparked. One particular idea (not mine, unfortunately, but I fully support) is to remove an old abandoned elevator from our downtown area and replace it with a replica of Rainbow Gardens.
The creator of the original Rainbow Gardens, Harry Hayashi, modeled it after traditional Japanese gardens, featuring a stream, fishponds and waterfalls. It also featured North Dakota’s first motel, music pavilion and restaurant. Would you believe that great entertainers such as Conway Twitty, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and other popular bands played there in the 1930s and 1940s?
Many individuals and groups in the community have mentioned the idea, but I think it is time to bring people together to see this idea come to life. Not only would this add beauty to a neglected area of Main Street, but it would draw visitors.
Every town has a story to tell. Why not share this part of our town’s history? Carrington is my hometown and after attending college, I’ve returned to my roots. I am currently the city auditor and take pride in all our city has to offer, but surely there is more in our future.
Jennifer Gast
Member of Northern Plains Electric Cooperative
EXPAND
The northern part of Jamestown is a beautiful area, and a great place to grow up. While the location is ideal, especially being near the Jamestown Reservoir, most residents agree it is underdeveloped in its restaurant and hospitality sectors. Most restaurants are located in the center or southern part of Jamestown, and all travel lodgings are located near the interstate in the south.
Developing the restaurant industry in north Jamestown, as we only have one, IDK Bar and Grill, could provide for more options to local families, and make it even more accessible for local farmers who live to the north of town.
As the high school and the University of Jamestown are in the north, students would have nearby dining options when they are in summer school or have open lunches, and visiting athletic teams and activities would not have to bus their students to the other side of town for food. Developing lodging in the northern part of town could also be useful to visiting teams and activities, as well as shortening the commute for relatives who may visit their family in the northern part of town.
Overall, developing lodging and restaurants in the northern part of Jamestown could provide for easy access for northern residents, visitors, students and rural residents to the north.
Will Nelson
Member of Northern Plains Electric Cooperative
Student at Jamestown High School
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Deadline for submission: July 15
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