Independent Banker - January 2025 - 65

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dynamic in their life. "
This new center would provide a
welcoming space for all residents
to enjoy the social, cultural and
recreational activities they engage
in, but making the plans a reality
wouldn't be an easy task.
Since there wasn't a dedicated
person for economic development in
Mott, Aldinger attended an Economic
Development of North Dakota State
Conference in September 2023 to
" figure out what we don't know. "
It was there that she found even
greater passion for the project and
understood that it was going to take
a village. Upon her return, she began
work with the mayor of Mott to figure
out how to make the dream of a
community center come true.
Setting the plan in motion
Of course, the prospect of a
community center relied heavily
on one thing: funding. The team
found its opportunity in the Inflation
Reduction Act of 2022, specifically the
Department of Energy's Transmission
Siting and Economic Development
grant. This $371 million initiative
was created to support community
infrastructure projects along new and
upgraded transmission lines.
The next step was for Aldinger to
write a compelling grant proposal.
" Everyone wants and needs to be
able to have that health and wellness
dynamic in their life. "
-CHARLOTTE ALDINGER, COMMERCIAL BANK OF MOTT
However, the grant-writing process
is competitive and demands a
clear vision, detailed planning and
impeccable documentation. She
admits, " I didn't exactly know what
I was doing. I was not a professional
grant writer, but I was going to put
my heart and soul into it. "
John Marshall, a fellow community
bank president at First State Bank
in Grand Forks, N.D., connected
Aldinger with an experienced writer
who could help. Aldinger then
worked side-by-side with the writer to
complete and deliver a grant proposal
worthy of not only consideration
but approval.
QUICK STAT
$14M
The grant amount
that the town of Mott
received to build its
community center
With the proposal underway, the
next step was to plan the construction
of the community center. Over the
course of seven months, Aldinger
collaborated with a construction
firm and architect who volunteered
their services. A neighboring
school provided blueprints from a
similar project, and a community
member donated five acres of land
on which the community center will
be constructed.
" All these pieces just came
together, " says Aldinger, " and it
came from relationships, talking to
other people with a shared vision of
wanting to make a difference and
wanting to make this work. "
This community effort resulted
in the concept for the Cannonball
Community Complex, a multipurpose
building with a large gym, kitchen
space for catering and concessions,
and a community area that can
accommodate up to 500 people.
The center will also serve
as an emergency shelter and
a base for essential services in
emergency situations.
Looking to the future
The town of Mott received good news
in July 2024: Its grant request had
been approved. " At the Commercial
Bank of Mott, we are all just so
excited, " says Aldinger. " All of our
employees are so community-driven
and believe this is a huge opportunity
for our community. Knowing the bank
and myself are part of something like
this ... it just makes us all proud. "
While timing for construction has
not been announced, Aldinger hopes
that next steps and activities toward
development of the community center
will begin to pick up soon, likely
in 2026.
In the meantime, she says, " There's
excitement in the community ...
because it is not just an opportunity
for Mott-this is an opportunity for
our county, for southwest North
Dakota and for our region. "
Kendra Beasley is a writer in Virginia.
independentbanker.org // 65
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Independent Banker - January 2025

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