September 23, 2025
ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE COMMITTEE
Fargo, North Dakota
Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 23, 2025
The September 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, September 23, 2025.
The committee members present or absent are:
Members Present: Dave Piepkorn, Lucas Paper, John Cosgriff, Jon Eisert
Others Present: Jim Gilmour, Jackie Gapp, Robert Wilson
Others Absent: Levi Bachmeier, Erik Barner, Michael Splonskowski, Mayor Mahoney, Matt Schlenvogt
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 July 22, 2025. Jon Eisert seconded. Motion carries.
Commercial Redevelopment PILOT
• Updated draft- policy has been put in place so the City can address projects with unique characteristics and encourage commercial redevelopment in areas that are not technically blighted or underdeveloped.
• Fundamental purpose is to encourage developers to redevelop commercial or apartment buildings that are on previously developed sites.
• There are characteristics that need to be met:
o Higher value and higher density buildings
o Opportunities for economic development
o Mixed use developments with shared parking
o Desirable land uses
o Consistent with City Plans
o Improved design and public amenities
• The maximum incentive is a 100% PILOT property tax incentive for up to 10 years
• The committee would like the Planning Department to look at the policy. The draft of the policy was sent to Nicole Crutchfield in the Planning and Development Department.
The item was continued to the next meeting to allow for further review by the committee and input from the planning department.
Cass County Incentive Proposal Policy Update
• Robert Wilson provided an update on a draft policy from Cass County. This item was for informational purposes only.
o Primary Sector Businesses: The draft indicates a positive move toward being more open to looking at incentives beyond five years for primary sector businesses.
o Non-Primary Sector: The county is reluctant to go beyond five years for these projects, though clarification is needed on whether this means they would participate for the first five years or not at all.
o Affordable Housing: The committee was pleased that the county recognized the need to support federal low-income housing projects, as they often will not be built otherwise.
o Primary Sector Definition: A representative provided the definition used by the EDC: a business adding value/knowledge to a good or service and selling 70% or more outside of North Dakota, or 50% or more outside of the Cass and Clay County MSA.
o TIF Language: Confusion was noted regarding the policy's wording on Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and a "50% of any time period" clause, which needs further clarification from the county.
• A draft has been proposed that changes will no longer approve any Tax Increment Financing (TIF) or Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) applications that request a 100% exemption.
• The reasoning for this is due to the North Dakota Legislature regarding property tax caps
• Cass County will continue to support incentives for primary sector new growth and federal low-income housing projects.
A motion was made to have further discussion about the Commercial Redevelopment PILOT. Matt Schlenvogt approved. Lucas Paper seconded.
Row House Project (NDSU Area)
• The project was recommended for approval contingent on receiving a building permit and is scheduled to be on the City Commission agenda on Monday, September 29, 2025. This will be on the agenda at the next City Commission meeting.
NP Avenue 11th Street
• The rent is closer to market rates. Not considered low income.
• This project, which utilizes 4% low-income housing tax credits, was sent to a financial advisor for review.
• The two-bedroom rents ($1,300–$1,400) are close to market rate, aiming for people below 80% of the median income (around $40,000 annual income), not the very lowest income levels.
The committee decided to postpone further discussion until the November meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:25pm.