Max, Belcourt, Minot, Bismarck among 184 AARP Community Challenge Grantees

The Community Challenge grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which helps communities become great places to live for residents of all ages. The full list of grantees and project descriptions can be found at www.aarp.org/communitychallenge.

Max, Belcourt, Minot and Bismarck are each recipients of a 2020 AARP Community Challenge grant. A total of $2.4 million was awarded to fund 184 “quick action” projects across the country to help create more livable communities across the country.

More than 2,800 applications, including 33 from North Dakota, were received from nonprofits and government entities.

North Dakota communities receiving grants this year are:  

• Minot Downtown Business and Professional Association ($6,900) for the creation of public art in the form of three hidden object murals in downtown Minot.
  
  Minot Community Challenge Grant.mp4
• City of Max ($2,500) to purchase 10 large flower baskets to hang from light posts along main street, and to purchase two picnic tables to place in an existing green space along main street.
  
  Max Community Challenge Grant.mp4
• Turtle Mountain Chippewa Pembina Pow Wow Committee ($4,405) to build and improve green space at two nursing homes in Rolette County. The project will consist of building raised garden beds for flowers and vegetables that will engage nursing home residents in meaningful activities with others in the community.
  
  Belcourt Community Challenge Grant.mp4
• Bismarck Global Neighbors ($2,000) to host four community meals where immigrant families will be invited to share their stories, hopes and concerns with local leaders, including government, education, law enforcement and media. The intent is to raise awareness and generate connections within the community.
  
  Bismarck Community Challenge Grant.mp4

“We are incredibly proud to partner with North Dakota’s grantees as they work to make immediate improvements in their communities, encouraging promising ideas, and jumpstart long-term change,” said AARP North Dakota State Director Josh Askvig. “Our goal at AARP North Dakota is to support the efforts of our communities to be great places for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities.”

All projects are designed to achieve on one or more of the following outcomes:

• Create vibrant public places by improving open spaces and parks and activating main streets.
  
• Deliver a range of transportation and mobility options by increasing connectivity, walkability, bikeability, wayfinding, and access a wider range of transportation choices.
  
• Encourage the availability of a range of housing by increasing accessible and affordable housing solutions.
  
• Increase civic engagement and demonstrate the tangible value of “Smart Cities” by bringing together local leaders and residents from all backgrounds to address challenges.
  
• Support coronavirus response and recovery efforts by ensuring older adults’ access to information, essential services, and civic life.

The Community Challenge grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which helps communities become great places to live for residents of all ages. The full list of grantees and project descriptions can be found at www.aarp.org/communitychallenge.