Economic Development Incentives Committee- July 22, 2025 Minutes
ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE COMMITTEE
Fargo, North Dakota
Regular Meeting Tuesday, July 22, 2025
The February meeting of the Economic and Development Incentive Committee of the City of Fargo, North Dakota was held in the City Commission Room at City Hall at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
The committee members present or absent are:
Members Present: Dave Piepkorn, Mayor Mahoney, Lucas Paper, Matt Schlenvogt, John Cosgriff, Jon Eisert
Others Present: Jim Gilmour, Jackie Gapp
Others Absent: Levi Bachmeier, Erik Barner, Robert Wilson, Michael Splonskowski
Commissioner Piepkorn called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
Minutes Approved
A motion was made by John Cosgriff to approve the minutes from May 27, 2025. Matt Schlenvogt seconded. Motion carries.
Business Incentive Tracking – Report
• Ryan Aasheim
• 23 Pilot recipients with 18 companies receiving it
• Two major components:
o Number of jobs created/retained
o Wages
• How it works:
o Annual Incentive Tracking Survey sent
o Company completes survey
o Survey results are tracked in EDC CRM system
o Survey results are evaluated against commitments
o City staff follows up with company if needed
A motion was made by Mayor Mahoney to approve an additional 5-year Property Tax Exemption. Matt Schlenvogt seconded. Motion carries.
Deadline to Start Projects – Recommendation
• City of Fargo does not have a deadline for businesses or developers to commence projects
• Recommending that a PILOT project must start construction or begin operation within three of approval by the City Commission.
A motion was made by Lucas Paper to approve the deadline to start projects. John Cosgriff seconded. Motion carries.
Core Neighborhood Housing Incentives – Amendment
• Policy includes documenting extraordinary costs, a “but for” test, providing a 100% property for 5 years and a 50% property tax exemption in years 6-10.
• A 100% exemption for 7 years was proposed due to administration issues. This exemption would provide the same present value to the developer and reduce administration work of the Assessors Office.
• A recommendation was also proposed that the “but for” evaluation remain, but that agreements no long require documentation of costs.
A motion was made by Lucas Paper to approve the deadline to start projects. John Cosgriff seconded. Motion carries.
PILOT Applications for Affordable Housing – Information only
• Three applications are expected for property tax for affordable housing projects. The application for 17-year property tax exemption.
• The Fargo Housing Authority is planning two projects:
o Existing building at 4th Street North. It would be renovated into 22 housing units.
o Replacement of duplexes with a new building located at 18th Street South and 25th Avenue South. 60 housing units.
• The Annex Group is planning to apply for a property tax incentive at 11 12 Street North. This would be a building of about 260 housing units with ground-level parking.
Grove Enclave (Kmart site) Time Extension Request
• Enclave is requesting an amendment to the Developer Agreement, Section 4.1 that requires a minimum of 20,000 square feet of commercial construction and the development of two (2) standalone commercial buildings.
• Enclave would like the requirement be reduced to one (1) standalone commercial building as they currently have a standalone Starbucks.
• The TIF could start sooner as they would be complete if the agreement states they only need one (1) standalone commercial building.
A motion was made by Lucas Paper to approve the deadline to start projects. Matt Schlenvogt seconded. Motion carries.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:45 pm.