The Griggs-Steele Empowerment Zone Board of Directors developed a series of "Community Incentives" to assist residents, businesses, and communities in effectively utilizing programs to enhance the quality of life in the Zone.

• All Community Incentive programs will have a fillable PDF application form available on the Empowerment Zone website or the Zone office that the City or EDC will submit for reimbursements from the Empowerment Zone.
• All requests for reimbursement must include documentation including copies of checks, promotional material, meeting/workshop agenda and other invoices detailing the expenses incurred before the reimbursement can be processed for disbursement.
• Reimbursements will be made to the applicant. Allow for a minimum of two to three weeks for disbursement.
• Requests that exceed maximum award guidelines for program would need GSEZ board approval.
• All reimbursements for the fiscal year are due by 15th of the following month. Example all 2006 reimbursements are due by January 15th to be processed.

Coordinator Program
Incorporated cities within the EZ are eligible to apply for matching dollars to fund a coordinator/development position in their community.

• Provides matching dollars towards salary package for communities to staff a professional in their community.
• Creates linkage between Empowerment Zone programs and the community.
• Requires a local cash match of 50% for salary package with a maximum award of $2000 per month.
• Provides an automatic overhead expense reimbursement equal to 10% of the salary package match

Download Application

Grant Writing Program
Organizations are eligible to apply through a City/EDC sponsorship for matching dollars for grant writing services to funding sources outside the GSEZ.

• Organizations are eligible; businesses are not. 
• Eligible grant writing services are only for grants written to sources outside the Empowerment Zone.
• If the grant is not awarded the percentage would be reduced to 5% instead of 10% of the grant writing fee. 
• The agreement between the grant writer and the organization must be included and the outside grant fund reviewers comments and reasons for rejection must be included with the application for grant writing assistance through the City/EDC.
• If an outside grant is funded a copy of the award letter and grant application must be included with the application for grant writing assistance through the City/EDC.
• Maximum reimbursement cannot exceed $5000.

Download Application

Promotion and Marketing Program
City/EDC is eligible to apply for matching dollars to pay for marketing and promotional activities carried out by Coordinators in their communities.

Provides financial assistance for things such as:

• Travel Expenses (hotels/meals/mileage) outside of the zone in accordance with the  Empowerment Zone Travel and Per Diem Policy. All travel must be planned to accomplish maximum results with minimum costs.  For example, all air travel will be economy class; mileage will be reimbursed at the stated IRS rate and travelers must use the most cost-effective means.  
• Meal expenses associated with potential business prospects and on-site selection meetings.  
• Conference/Seminars/Workshops fees associated with community and economic development with a maximum of six per community coordinator per fiscal year.
• Marketing and promotional material directly related to economic development such as brochures.
• Reimbursements for a second community person are eligible.
• Requires a local cash match of 25% with a maximum award of $5000 per project.

Download Application

Community Promotion Program
The City/EDC is eligible to apply for matching dollars to pay for promotional activities carried out by a community organization. Each community has up to $3,000 available to their community to assist with the promotion of community-wide events.

• Eligible expenses must be associated with promotional material used to promote a community-wide event.  Examples:  Event posters, newspaper announcements, radio ads, and other promotional items.
• Requires a local cash match of 25% with a maximum award of $1,000 per community per fiscal calendar year.
• All invoices and promotional material must be attached to the Community Promotion application for reimbursement.

Download Application

Business District Beautification Program
City/EDC is eligible to apply for matching dollars to pay for beautification projects administered by City/EDC in business districts of a community.

• Provides assistance to make main street type areas more attractive to residents and visitors.
• Reimbursement is limited to community signage and banners, lights, and building demolition.
• Requires a local cash match of 50% with a maximum award of $5000 per project.

Download Application

Work Force Development Program
Zone Businesses are eligible to apply through a City/EDC sponsorship for matching dollars to fund work force training programs.

• Provides a funding match to the business in their commitment to employing a trained workforce.
• Eligible expenses are for tuition or direct costs of course.
• Requires a cash match of 50% with a maximum award of $500 per employee.

Download Application

Technology Infrastructure Program
Zone Residents or Businesses are able to apply for reimbursement for the installation of broadband internet service including DSL, broadband and wireless access to.

• Establishes a one time (1x) connection fee to broadband internet service
• $200 maximum reimbursement.
• Reimbursement is sent directly to service provider and credited to their individual account.
• No match is required.

Download Application

Empowerment Zone Micro Loan Program
Empowerment Zone businesses are eligible to apply for a Micro Loan through the Lake Agassiz Regional Development Corporation in partnership with the Empowerment Zone. The Micro Loan program is designed to assist start-up, newly established and growing small business concerns obtain short-term, fixed interest rate loans.

• The small business must be a for profit business within the state of North Dakota.
• Interest rates will be fixed over the life of the loan; however lending rates will be subject to change for new borrowers.
• Repayment terms vary depending on the use of the proceeds and in no case will the term exceed six years. 
• Fees consist of actual closing costs which may vary.  In addition a fee of $100 per year for loan administration will be charged.  No point or origination fees.
• Use of the loan can be used for the following:  Working capital, purchase inventory & supplies, furniture, fixtures, machinery and equipment.
• Funds may not be used for down payment and equity purposes or real estate.
• Loans under $7,500 are encouraged, but the loans are limited to $35,000.  A loan of $20,000 or more will require evidence that credit cannot be obtained elsewhere.

Contact the Empowerment Zone office for an application.

Links followed with the PDF icon require Adobe Reader to view. Download Adobe Reader.