Downtown Street Closures for Buggies-n-Blues

Buggies-N-Blues car show and music festival takes place in downtown Mandan June 11-12. A section of Main St. will be closed starting Friday for set up, the event itself, and tear down.

What's Happening North of I-94?

One of many projects north of Interstate 94 is dirt work for a 16^th Street and 8^th Ave NE infrastructure improvement project to include constructing streets, water main, sanitary sewer and a parking lot. The infrastructure project was requested by owners of the majority area within this street improvement district. The northeast corner adjacent to the Starion Sports Complex is to be a tennis center owned by the Mandan Park District.

Infrastructure improvements and developments in north Mandan and residential subdivisions were topics at a May 10 business outreach session drawing about 80 business people and residents. Slides and handouts can be found here.

Highway 1806 Update

Two lanes of traffic remain open on the west side of the roadway while concrete pavement spot repairs take place in northbound lanes from Main St to Eighth Ave SE. Contractors anticipate switching to the southbound lanes and pushing traffic to the east side of the roadway in late June. A few tips:

• NO LEFT TURNS. To allow traffic to flow better through the Third St SE intersection during construction.
• WIDTH RESTRICTION. An 11-foot width restriction is in place throughout construction.
• ACCESS REMAINS OPEN. At least one access point to all businesses and residences in the area will remain open throughout construction.

Collateral Support Loan Program Approved

The North Dakota Opportunity Fund (NDOF) steering committee voted in May to create a collateral support program. New and expanding businesses in Mandan and 37 other municipalities are eligible to apply along with their lead lender of choice.

The program will pledge cash collateral to lending institutions in cases where a borrower’s collateral does not meet lender requirements. Other qualifications apply. Examples where collateral may be lacking include new businesses leasing property or tech businesses that don’t have a lot of tangible assets. Here’s a scenario:

$500,000 total project; $485,750 value of total collateral available

• $340,025: Lender policy is 70% loan-to-value advance rate
• $75,000: Business is able to provide 15% cash equity
• $84,975: Funding gap challenge

Solution:

• $425,000: Lender loan with an $84,975 collateral support certificate of deposit (CD)
• $75,000: Borrower equity

The NDOF also continues to offer a loan participation program for gap financing when owner equity in a business project is insufficient to meet lead lender requirements. Click here for more information or contact Matt Burthold, ph. (701) 667-7601.

Mandan Business Assistance

Fact Sheet Mailed

Most Mandan businesses should have received a summary of business incentive programs and local resources for assistance in the mail during May. If you missed it, download a copy here.

Restaurant & Lodging Funds Approved

for Holiday Display 

The Mandan City Commission at its June 7 meeting approved a recommendation from the Visitors Fund Committee for $500,000 toward a holiday light display as proposed by the Mandan Progress Organization. The MPO plans to activate Dykshoorn Park along West Main Street 50-60 days of the year. The motion requires the MPO to raise up to $100,000 more for the project. The MPO will be seeking 5-year commitments to include naming rights for various large displays. Stay tuned to the MPO website for forthcoming opportunities or contact MPO Executive Director Matt Schanandore.

The funding stems from a 1% tax on restaurant and lodging sales that is restricted by state law to use for capital improvements and equipment that attracts visitors to the community. 

Premier Sponsor & Business Ad Opportunities

in 2023 Morton County & Mandan Community Calendar

Plans for the fourth annual community calendar are under way. Costs have increased to print and mail the calendar to the county's approximate 16,100 households. Organizers are seeking involvement from a presenting sponsor to make the 2023 calendar possible. The request is for $2,500 to include a logo on the front cover plus each month, both in print and online. The online calendar was viewed nearly 10,000 times in 2021. Page views are up 9% in 2022. There continue to be business card size ad options, 24 in total, two per month for $325 each.

In addition to important dates, the calendar provides residents, businesses and visitors with other resources like recycling and garbage schedules and contact information. Partners in the previous calendars have been the City of Mandan, Morton County, Mandan Parks and Recreation, Mandan Public School District, Mandan Progress Organization, Armstrong Sanitation, and Waste Management. Commitments for 2023 are pending budget approval processes. 

Economic Indicators

As of May's end, here are a few stats with some comparisons to last year:

Local tax collections

• Sales tax - up 4%
• Restaurant & lodging tax - up 3%
• Hotel occupancy tax - up 29%

Building permits

• $22 million in commercial and industrial new construction and remodeling including Lakewood Elementary for $15 million.
• 21 new residential units.

Business News

• Lincoln Repair is constructing a building for automotive repair and service at 4221 Old Red Trail NW.
• West River Equipment is preparing to expand and relocate with construction of a new building at 5300 Old Red Trail.
• Spark Group has purchased and is finishing the interior build-out of the north half of 2903 Jude Lane NW for its information technology consulting services as well as for a co-working space called The Innovation Barn.
• The Post at 3711 Highway 1806 S is being renovated by the Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation with re-opening planned in July as an event venue under lease and the same management as The Paddle Trap, Venue Twenty5 and Sixteen03 Main Events.
• Simply Laundry has announced plans for pickup and delivery service.

Photo Contest Entries Welcomed

The Mandan Progress Organization and Mandan Tomorrow - Leadership, Pride and Image Committee are excited to announce the second annual Mandan Photo Contest. The entry deadline is Aug. 31, 2022.

All category winners will receive $100 in Mandan Bucks gift certificates sponsored by businesses as follows:

• Achievement — Keitu Engineers & Consultants
• Community — Leingang Chiropractic & Wellness
• Fun — Vision Source of Mandan
• Opportunity — NAPA Auto Parts Store
• County — Hyundai of Mandan
• People’s Choice — Corral Sales RV Superstore plus a $50 gift card from North Dakota Living Magazine
• Top Youth Entry — Quality Home Furniture plus a $50 gift card from North Dakota Living Magazine

June Water Bill Mailing Includes Dining & Nightlife Guide

As part of the "Support Local" campaign and to improve awareness of places to eat and gather in Mandan, a guide is included in this month's utility bill distribution. Visit cityofmandan.com/dining to download a copy.

Are there places you've never tried?

Upcoming Webinars

June 14: Turn Your Side Hustle or Hobby Into A Small Business

July 12: Offering Quality Products & Making A Profit For Restaurants