Hoeven Advances $75M in North Dakota Infrastructure

By Scout Nelson

Senator John Hoeven recently discussed ongoing efforts with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 8 Acting Regional Administrator Katherine Fox.

The discussions focused on advancing nearly $75 million in infrastructure projects that benefit Bismarck, Lincoln, Washburn, Fessenden, and other communities across the state.

South Bismarck Flood Protection Project Moves Forward

Efforts are continuing to advance the South Bismarck Flood Control Project, a major initiative aimed at improving flood protection for residents and businesses in the area.

In 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) selected the City of Bismarck to receive $50 million through its Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program. The funding is intended to strengthen flood resilience and reduce future flood risks in South Bismarck.

FEMA has already awarded $7.3 million for Phase 1 preconstruction activities. The city is expected to seek approval for the remaining $42.7 million in Phase 2 construction funding later this fall, with construction planned to begin in 2027.

Once completed, the flood control project is expected to remove approximately 1,000 structures from the floodplain under updated flood insurance maps. This change could significantly reduce flood insurance requirements and costs for many affected property owners while improving long-term community protection against flooding.

University of Mary Seeks Funding for Wastewater System Upgrades

The University of Mary is pursuing $9.1 million in FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant funding to support a major wastewater infrastructure improvement project.

The proposed project would replace the university's aging lagoon facilities and restore land that is currently being used for septic lagoons. The upgrades are designed to improve wastewater management while enhancing the long-term sustainability of the campus.

Senator Hoeven has previously advocated for the project, urging FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton to support the funding request. The proposal has successfully met initial eligibility requirements and is currently under review at FEMA headquarters for final consideration.

BRIC Funding Supports Infrastructure Projects Across North Dakota

Efforts are underway to secure FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) funding for several important infrastructure projects across North Dakota. The proposed projects include a $7.76 million wastewater system regionalization project in Lincoln, a $7 million water intake improvement project in Washburn, and a $1.9 million wastewater lagoon project in Fessenden.

The Fessenden project received an official funding award this week, marking an important step forward for the community. Federal funding for these projects is expected to begin rolling out between September 2026 and spring 2027, helping communities strengthen critical water and wastewater infrastructure while improving long-term resilience.

Leaders also discussed disaster recovery needs across the state. Attention remains focused on North Dakota’s request for a presidential major disaster declaration after severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes affected western and central parts of the state in June.

Photo Credit: John Hoeven