Dickinson groups request funding

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Thirteen Dickinson entities are asking the city for more than $1 million to help with next year’s operational costs.

The Dickinson City Commission held a special meeting Tuesday afternoon to hear subsidy requests as it begin planning its 2012 budget. No action was taken at the meeting.

Four of the 13 who sent in subsidy requests to the city are asking for more money than they did the previous year, and one business that has never asked for money is requesting a little more than $100,000.

The North Dakota Small Business Development Center is asking the city for $115,110 for salaries for a full-time business advisor, a part-time administrative assistant, a student intern and all mobilization and associated operating expenses for next year, said Ray Ann Kilen, regional director of Dickinson’s SBDC.

Kilen said that the SBDC has had explosive growth in demand for services from area entrepreneurs and existing businesses seeking services to

grow its businesses and manage

employees.

Stark Development Corp. is asking for $625,000 — $125,000 more than the previous year — and Public Transit is asking for $100,000, which is $25,000 more than last year.

“We are requesting more funds so that we can increase Public Transit salaries, keep up with fuel costs and replace aging vehicles,” Public Transit Director Colleen Rodakowski said.

Sunrise Youth Bureau is asking for $2,500 more than it did last year.

“We had a significant grant we received last year and this year we won’t get the grant so because of that loss of the grant we are asking for more to offset cost, said Jerry Mayer of Sunrise Youth Bureau. “We also want to keep pace with changes in salaries, utilities and

housing.”

Toni Morasko, director of Southwest Community Service and Restitution Program, said the reason SCSRP is asking for more money is to stay open.

Other businesses requesting funding were the Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport ($100,000), Dickinson Convention and Visitors Bureau ($100,000), RSVP+ North Dakota ($25,000), the Dickinson State University Theodore Roosevelt Center ($20,000), the Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Center ($15,000), Arts on the Prairie ($8,000) and the Western Wellness Foundation, Inc./Best Friends Mentoring Program ($5,000).

Sharon Kilzer, project manager for the Theodore Roosevelt Center, said the money will be used for the center’s annual Theodore Roosevelt Symposium.

Kilzer said funding the symposium is important because it draws many repeat visitors from Dickinson, surrounding towns, and from the larger Great Plains region.

Kilzer said the Theodore Roosevelt Symposium is a nationally-known, prestigious event that plays a leading role in showcasing Roosevelt’s footprint in North Dakota.

“This has become a feature event for the city of Dickinson,” Kilzer said. “One that people put on their calendar each year. The city benefits not only from the economic impact of out-of-town guests, but also from the reputation for excellence the event has earned.”

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