JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Stutsman County Commission was informed of the Opportunity Zones and North Dakota’s involvement with the process.

Earlier this month, Governor Doug Burgum announced that North Dakota would be participating in the Opportunity Zone Program. The program allows Governors to nominate low-income communities to receive Opportunity Zone investments. The City of Jamestown moved to request and be a part of this program.

Stutsman County Auditor Nicole Meland informed the commission what the opportunity zone would do.

Meland says a governor can select up to 25 census tracts out of 40 census tracts available. Meland says she met with representatives from several city and county organizations to apply for some tracts within Jamestown.

Meland says receiving participating in the Opportunity Zone project could lead to future development. The county commission approved to unanimously send asking for Governor Burgum to consider the three tracts in Stutsman County.

Later, discussion was held regarding medical marijuana compassion centers and considering ordinances for the county. Meland stated that the state is charging $90,000 biannually for dispensaries and $110,000 for manufacturing centers in the state. She says none of that money will come to the county.

Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser says the state is getting the money and the county is stuck with enforcing the law.

Meland says if a dispensary locates withing the district, it would locate within Jamestown. As far as a manufacturing center, she says that may locate somewhere else within the county. Zoning Administrator Tyler Perleberg says they suspecting townships will relinquish their zoning rights to the county if one of the two were to locate in Stutsman County.

Audio is courtesy of Stutsman County.