Job Development Authority

 *****   APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED *****

Closing date April 21, 2025

The JDA Board of Directors is offering scholarships to graduating Dunn County High School Seniors in 2025. Applicants must reside within Dunn County and be planning to further their education beyond high school. Students may apply in the category that best fits their eligibility. Scholarships will be dispersed during the second semester of the awardee's freshman year of college or trade school.

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To support the creation, expansion, and stability of small businesses in Dunn County, contributing to job creation, economic diversification, and business growth. Businesses may apply for one or all of the following programs based on needs.

The Storefront Renovation Grant Program encourages the renovation and occupancy of vacant or dilapidated buildings in high-traffic areas within designated business districts. The program aims to enhance the visual appeal and functionality of storefronts to attract more businesses, customers, and investment.

This program is designed to support creating and enhancing public spaces in Dunn County, fostering tourism and community engagement. The goal is to encourage residents, organizations, and businesses to actively contribute to placemaking efforts that improve the county’s livability, attractiveness, and tourism potential.

The Tuition Reimbursement Program is designed to help businesses in Dunn County attract and retain employees by offering up to $5,000 in financial assistance to pay off student loan debt. This program focuses on high-need and emerging occupations, ensuring businesses can remain competitive in workforce recruitment.

The Workforce Relocation Reimbursement Program exists to help businesses in Dunn County provide additional benefits to new hires by reimbursing up to $5,000 in moving expenses. This program targets high-need and emerging occupations, making relocation more attractive for new employees while helping local businesses compete in the workforce market.

The Make Dunn County Home Program is a down payment assistance program managed through the Dunn County JDA. The program provides down payment grants, structured as forgivable loans, to home buyers purchasing or building within Dunn County. Qualifying homes must be financed through a North Dakota lender, and the home must be the participant's primary residence. The program is not income-based. Instead, it focuses on encouraging people to live and love the community where they work.

The Community Revitalization Program is designed to assist cities in Dunn County with removing dilapidated and blighted properties. By providing financial support for property cleanup and revitalization efforts, the program aims to enhance housing conditions, encourage redevelopment, improve community attractiveness, and attract new residents.

Funded through the Dunn County Development Fund, the Interest Buy-Down Program is designed to assist businesses, childcare facilities, affordable housing projects, farmers, and other entities by reducing loan interest rates. The program works in partnership with local lenders and the Bank of North Dakota through Dakota's Flex PACE, PACE, and various sector-specific options to support a range of critical industries and services in Dunn County.

Funded by the Dunn County Development Fund, the Revolving and Bridge Loan funds can be utilized to secure a key element in business financing. The Revolving Loan is designed to provide financial support to qualifying business owners in Dunn County seeking alternative or gap financing. The fund targets small businesses and startups to help bridge financing gaps for projects, expansions, or new ventures. The Bridge Loan Fund provides gap financing for businesses in Dunn County that have secured a lead lender but need additional financing to close the gap. This fund is intended for larger, more strategic projects that contribute to job creation and economic growth in the county.

Funded through the Dunn County Development Fund the Strategic Investment Program is designed to support businesses and projects that significantly impact the community's life, health, or safety in Dunn County. The program provides flexible funding options for large-scale, high-impact projects that fall outside the scope of other outlined programs.