About The Rough Rider Fund

The Rough Rider Fund is a one and a half cent city sales tax that was established in 1998 to support projects that enhance Watford City and the surrounding areas. The committee, appointed by the mayor, operates under the guidelines in the HANDBOOK of POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, REVISED December 4, 2023.  View the handbook at the link below.

Rough Rider Fund Programs

COMMERCIAL FAÇADE MATCH GRANT
Exists to expand local tax base and promote economic growth by providing match grant funding to existing commercial properties in Watford City.

• Provides at minimum, a 1:1 match for exterior signage, exterior façade improvements and for parking improvements

LICENSED CHILD CARE RENEWAL GRANT
Exists to promote workforce attraction & retention and health, safety, & well-being.

• Provides match grant funds, reimbursable expense grant funds, and service grant funds for providing licensed childcare in Watford City and surrounding communities

COMMUNITY BUILD GRANT
Exists to promote community facilities and promote public/private partnerships that provide public benefit.

• Provides project support and grant match funding to programs and projects over $50,000, as public partnership for public benefit
• Examples of BUILD GRANT projects in our community:  Watford City’s Best of the West Ribfest, Roughrider Center construction project, and McKenzie Health Medical Complex construction project

COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT GRANTS
Exists to promote cultural inclusion and workforce attraction and retention by supporting community organizations that provide community programming and events.

• Provides mini-grants of $3,000 or less to support organizations that host events, programming, or projects of vibrancy and cultural inclusion
• Examples of Enhancement Grants:  In 2023, the RRF supported 30 community events/programs/projects with $85,000.  In 2024, the RRF has committed up to $100,000.  Examples of previously supported events/programs/projects: Alexander Old Settlers Day, Arnegard 4^th of July, Watford City Homefest, Watford City Turkey Bingo, Watford City Parade of Lights, Watford City High School Cultural Fair

BUSINESS MICRO-MATCH GRANT
Exists to support businesses with a commercial footprint of 250 sq. ft. or less who grow and diversify the local economy and grow the local tax base.

• Provides a 1:1 match for fixtures, fit ups, remodel, signage, rent and equipment.  Award cap at $2,500

BUSINESS STARTUP & EXPANSION FORGIVABLE LOAN
Exists to diversify and grow the local economy and to grow the local tax base for public benefit.

• Provides a 24 month forgivable loan for business startups and expansions for fixtures, fit ups, remodel, signage, rent, and equipment.  Awards range from $5,000 to $20,000

BUSINESS FLEX PACE/PACE INTEREST BUYDOWN MATCH GRANT
Exists to diversify & grow the local economy and grow the local tax base for public benefit.

• Provides local match requirements for  Bank of North Dakota's Flex Pace Program and  PACE Program for the interest buydown of local businesses who are using a North Dakota bank as the lead lender of their business startup or expansion.  The program is specific to businesses in Watford City or it’s ETA.

You can access Rough Rider Fund Program applications at the links below.