City of Fargo homeowners can soon apply to receive funds for home improvement projects

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Residents in parts of the city of Fargo who are looking to renovate and improve their properties may have a chance to receive funding to do so.

“We know it’s a lot of work to keep an aging house modern and keep the maintenance going. So it’s just a way to offer an incentive instead of going into the green field, new construction as a choice, as a premium choice,” said Nicole Crutchfield, Director of Planning and Development.

The City of Fargo has partnered with Gate City Bank for the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative. The program helps homeowners who qualify to work on property repairs and improvement projects. This year, Gate City Bank has contributed $2 million, and since starting in 2003, the bank has contributed over $127 million.

“There is a limit the size of the fund or grant is ten to a hundred thousand dollars. So it’s quite ranging, it can be anywhere from small improvements to windows to an addition to the house, to a new garage. So really the sky is the limit,” said Crutchfield.

Qualifying homes also must be forty years or older, assessed value of the home must be less than $300,000, occupied by the owner, and fit within the NRI boundary.

“Its a pretty wide geography of what applies. So that’s the other maybe misconception that it’s only in historic neighborhoods, but it’s actually broader than that. It goes pretty far north and down south to the interstate. And so it’s a pretty good program, and we hope people take advantage of it,” said Crutchfield.

The program is on a first-come, first-served basis as funds are available. With over a dozen people applying each year.

Applications for the loan will open on March 16. For more information, visit here.