JSDCJamestown (CSi) The Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC) Monday, approved spending up to $99,000 for the first phase of a water study of the Jamestown Aquifer.

JSDC CEO Connie Ova says the complete study of the capacity of the aquifer is projected to cost between $500,000 and $700,000.

The project goes to the Jamestown City Council and Stutsman County Commission for final approval at their August meetings.

The study would determine the effect of removing water from the aquifer beneath the James River and replacing it with treated waste water in the James River.

Ms. Ova says that the JSDC has approximately 700 acres available for development in Spiritwood, with it likely that some future developments would require large quantities of industrial water.

In other business, the JSDC Board of Directors has approved the 2015 budget, including a 5 percent salary increase for JSDC staff and an overall 5 percent increase for expenditures.

The board also referred debate on participation in the Flex Pace Affordable Housing Program to its executive committee.

The Flex Pace Affordable Housing Program provides an interest buy down for each new housing unit dedicated to affordable housing. The Bank of North Dakota offers $25,000 for each affordable unit which is matched by about $10,300 in local community funds