Valley City, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — CSi 68:  A Valley City sales tax renewal presentation and information concerning the $31 million National Guard Interstate 94 development was shown live  Monday, (Oct 29, 2012) on CSi Cable 68, and now showing in replays, on Channel 68..

Valley City Barnes County Economic Development Director Jennifer Feist gave the presentation, focusing on the Valley City Sales Tax renewal, and information on the National Guard expansion project, along with industrial/commercial development opportunities including the I-94 Regional Development Corridor, east of the John Deere Seeding Group plant.

 

With the Valley City Sales tax, 70 percent of the 1 percent tax goes to economic development, 25 percent for property tax relief, and 5 percent for service and retail image enhancement.

The Sales Tax extension would keep the tax in effect through December 31, 2029.

Ms. Feist added the tax extension affords for long term financing, for long term needs.

Highlights of the presentation included saying 23-35 soldiers will be based in Valley City, with the $3.6 million investment.

The facility includes 110,000 square feet, with a readiness center, maintenance area, and storage facility.

The Guard will also hold weekend drills at the facility.

She said, a 77 acre tract of land owned by the Stan Ryan family will be annexed into Valley City for construction of the new National Guard facility and future development.

On the land, 30 acres will be dedicated to the private sector, 20 acres for the National Guard, with direct access to I-94 Exit 294.

The eastside of the land will be available for commercial/industrial development.

She said utilities will be run to the facility, by boring under I-94.

She added, other funding sources will include Tax Increment Financing estimated at $1.25 million and $1.5 million in federal EDA funding.

Other funding sources will include state CDBG Funds, dollars from the NDDOT, and the National Guard will provide cost sharing of some of the infrastructure.

Businesses will all fund a portion of the infrastructure through property taxes.

The South Central Dakota Region Council will also be involved.

The closing is expected no later than December 14, 2012.

Planning and design will take place in early 2013, with bidding expected in late 2013, or early 2014.

Construction is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2014, with completion of the infrastructure in the fall of 2014. 

Valley City Auditor, Avis Richter reminds voters, that absentee ballots for the City Sales Tax extension, Advisory vote are at City Hall.

The absentee ballots for the General Election are at the Barnes County Courthouse.

On election day Valley City residents will vote at their regular precincts, for both the advisory vote and the General Election.