Making strides, one property at a time

Even in the smallest of places, hard work and dedication is sometimes all it takes to revitalize a community.

The people of Sheyenne have been learning exactly that recently, thanks to the efforts of Sheyenne GRIT, a non-profit community development organization whose work has infused more than $200,000 into their community of less than 200 residents.

It began last year when Sheyenne GRIT (Growth, Renewal, Imagination, Teamwork) was awarded a $150,000 grant from Strengthen ND, which they've already begun investing into their community's housing in hopes of providing a place for new residents to stay.

"If you build it, they will come," as the old saying goes.

With the first half of that funding, they purchased an empty home to fix up and place on the market. And that early first test has been a success, as a sale on that home is currently pending while several others are still showing interest.

Now, Sheyenne GRIT is moving on to several more projects, and they held a community meeting on Sunday, April 7 at the Sheyenne Senior Center to share their upcoming plans.

Just over two dozen were in attendance at the senior center, and they got to enjoy a baked potato bar before starting the meeting with introductions.

Sheyenne GRIT board member Patti Larson then began telling of two new grants they've recently been awarded.

First, they received a $25,000 grant from the North Dakota Forest Service for Hendrickson Park.

Larson said they'll be able to use that funding to replace 20 trees at the park, as well as remove the numerous troublesome stumps that still litter the area. Local contractors helping with the work will be Dave Chenze Sr. and Dave Chenze Jr., as well as Evan Swenson.

Larson said they'll also diversify the types of trees at Hendrickson Park, planting maple, birch and other northern hardy trees to go alongside the park's many ash, boxelder and cottonwood trees.

Next, Sheyenne GRIT was also awarded $41,550 through a Rural Workforce Housing Grant from the N.D. Chamber of Commerce.

This grant will allow for three blighted houses in Sheyenne to be torn down, removing homes that are far too damaged to be renovated or lived in.

Three houses have already been selected, said Larson: 301 Pleasant Avenue, 201 Richter Avenue and 100 Riverside Avenue.

All three properties have already been acquired by Sheyenne GRIT from their private owners, and it won't be long before demolition takes place. Larson said they'll be working with local contractor David Rue, who will begin demolition of the properties this spring.

It's yet another way Sheyenne GRIT is improving the housing situation in their community, but that's not all they're doing.

Larson said Sheyenne GRIT will soon have the second half of a $150,000 grant from Strengthen ND, which they'll use to place another house on the market in Sheyenne.

A three bedroom single-story home has been donated to Sheyenne GRIT by a nearby resident, who wishes to remain anonymous.

The plan is to pick up that house and move it to the property of 301 Pleasant Avenue, once the house that's currently there has been removed and a new basement has been dug out and constructed.

The house is in good shape and will be move-in ready the moment it gets placed on its new foundation. If all goes well, it should offer yet another opportunity for new residents to find their way to Sheyenne.

Sheyenne GRIT, meanwhile, will be able to use the money raised by selling those two homes to continue investing in their community.

When this community development group was first founded, Larson could hardly have expected so much success so quickly, or how getting awarded with one grant can open the door to so many others.

"After we got that first grant ... from Strengthen ND, I thought that was what we were going to work from," said Larson. "But then, once you're involved, you find out about all these new grants that I've never heard of before.

"... So no, when we started this I didn't have any idea we'd get this many grants, because I didn't even know they were available."

Larson said it takes a dedicated team to make it all possible, with help from a community willing to work hard to make progress.

Sheyenne GRIT's board members, Laurel Westby, Sharon Whitmer, Joanna Larson, Darci Joseph and Tara Hanson, are just a few of the many Sheyenne residents who've stepped up to help make a difference.

"You can just wait around for something to happen, and kind of complain about it," said Larson, "or you can make something happen. And that's been the motto for so many volunteers in Sheyenne."

Aside from housing improvements and planting new trees, there's so much more Sheyenne GRIT is doing to help their community – too much to include all in one article.

To learn more about what Sheyenne GRIT is all about, or to donate or volunteer your time, give Patti Larson a call at (701) 381-8428.