BISMARCK - Ten North Dakota tourism attractions received grants to support expansions. The Tourism Infrastructure and Expansion Grants are matching grants requiring the sponsor to provide $1 for every $2 of grant money requested. The total amount of grant dollars awarded for this program is $99,312, a Tourism Division news release said.
The 2011 recipients:
Plains Art Museum, Fargo, for construction related to the installation of "The North Dakota Mural" by North Dakota native James Rosenquist. The project also includes the construction of the Center for Lifelong Learning within the museum for arts education. North Dakota Department of Commerce Commissioner Shane Goettle said the program provides an opportunity to combine economic development and Tourism Division dollars to enhance the state's tourism attractions, thus drawing more visitor dollars to North Dakota.
Emergency Services
The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services has updated the state's multihazard mitigation plan.
The department seeks public comment on the plan, which can be found
The Federal Emergency Management Agency also reviews the plan and provides approval. An approved plan is a prerequisite for using federal dollars for disaster recovery.
Thirteen hazards are identified in the plan, with winter storms, summer storms, drought and floods identified as the hazards with the greatest potential to cause significant damage and overwhelm communities.
Comments are due by Jan. 2 and can be submitted to nddes@nd.gov or to North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, PO Box 5511, Bismarck, ND 58506-5511.
NDDOT improvements
The North Dakota Department of Transportation's 2011-2014 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program is now available.
This is a four-year program of transportation improvements to be funded with federal highway and transit money. Improvements include state and county highways, urban streets, roadway safety features, bikeways and busing programs.
An electronic copy is at www.dot.nd.gov and by clicking on the "Manuals and Publications" icon on the left-hand side, then clicking on the "Final STIP 2011-2014" link under the "Plans and Reports" section. Copies are available for viewing at the district offices or may be obtained from the NDDOT Planning and Programming Division by calling (701) 328-2513.
If you have any comments or projects you would like to see in the near future, contact your area NDDOT district engineer.
Finneman is a multimedia reporter for Forum Communications Co.
