Oakes Enhancement, Inc. (OEI) and the City of Oakes offer a range of programs to help businesses cost-effectively locate and expand their operations within our community. These programs are designed to provide assistance in the form of tax incentives, business financing, infrastructure development, employee recruitment and training, and general assistance.
In addition, a network of economic development assistance organizations staffed by experienced professionals at the state and regional level are ready to utilize all available resources to confidentially develop a comprehensive incentive proposal that will enable a business to cost-effectively locate and operate its facility here.
Property Tax Exemptions:
The City of Oakes offers different property tax exemptions for commercial use, more information can be found here.
Renaissance Zone:
The City of Oakes has an established Renaissance Zone. Property located in this area may qualify for different tax benefits on approved projects. More information can be found here.
BUMP-Business Upgrade & Maintenance Program:
Funded by OEI, the goal of this program is to enhance our sense of community pride and make the community more attractive and viable for new businesses, residents, and visitors. The program provides funding assistance for improvements and upgrades to new or existing business facilities. The program consists of two project categories: exterior and interior.
With approved applications, upon completion of the project along with submitted receipts/invoices, OEI will grant no more than 35% of the entire cost per project, with maximum funding of $5,000 per project in each of the two categories.
Eligible applicants may apply for each project type (interior or exterior) once every five years.
To read more about the program requirements, download the packet. To submit your application online, CLICK HERE.
The resources of OEI will be utilized for the promotion of the City of Oakes and the surrounding area in accordance with their Strategic Plan and Mission Statement.
OEI’s resource funding is open to any business in the Oakes area that is in good standing with the Secretary of State in North Dakota and is a member of Oakes Enhancement, Inc. For non-business requests, such as youth projects, the only requirement is that the project request is supported by an adult advisor.
OEI does not act as a “lead lender”; rather, OEI provides gap financing to projects requiring financing from a financial institution, as well as providing support to smaller projects that do not require financial institution financing. The grant amount will vary depending on a number of factors, which may include:
OEI Funding Application (PDF)
Narrative Addendum to the OEI Resource Application
To learn more about the program requirements, download the packet or contact OEI Economic Development Director, Rebecca Undem at director@growingsmalltowns.org.
Business Matched Sponsored Program
This program will assist area businesses with recruitment efforts to attract and retain a skilled workforce. By incentivizing individuals to connect with local employer, secure sponsorship for continued education, and [upon successful completion] return to Oakes community for gainful employment.
Business Matched Sponsorship Info (PDF)Oakes Area Chamber of Commerce
Check out the Member Benefits available when you become a member of the Oakes Area Chamber of Commerce.
Click Here
Additional Resources
SCORE - Simple Steps Starting Business (PDF)
Dickey County Job Development Authority
Contact County Auditor for more information on available programs and incentives.
Dickey County Courthouse
309 N. 2nd Street ⁄ P.O. Box 215
Ellendale, ND 58436
(701) 349-3249
SCDRC-South Central Dakota Regional Council
SCDRC administers loan programs to assist in gap financing to start or grow a business. The programs are designed to provide accessible, flexible loans to strengthen, create, or assist businesses and job opportunities. Business consulting is also offered. For more information, call 701-952-8060.
Job Service North Dakota provides workforce and unemployment services across the state in our nine Workforce Centers and at our Central location in Bismarck. We offer a variety of services for both job seekers and employers.
On the third Thursday of each month from 10 am to 12 pm, the Job Service ND Wahpeton team offer outreach to Oakes. Individuals can visit with them to get help with searching for a job, writing/enhancing a resume, and exploring workforce development opportunities. Employers can access them for recruitment services and hiring support.
Website: https://www.jobsnd.com/
Phone: 701-671-1550
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jobservicendwahpeton/
The North Dakota Small Business Development Centers help North Dakotans to start, manage, and grow their businesses.
We use our expertise to help you make your business successful. Our professional business advisors have years of experience and know what it takes to start a business and operate it successfully in our state.
The ND SBDC provides no-cost, confidential, personalized, in-depth, individual business advising and support to existing businesses and entrepreneurs according to their specific needs to help them make better-informed business decisions to start, manage, and grow or sustain their business.
While there is no cost for ND SBDC services, we do request that clients fully participate in the process and provide feedback via surveys and testimonials.
Website: https://ndsbdc.org/
Fargo/Southeast Region
NDSU Research & Technology Park
1854 NDSU Research Circle N, Suite #116
Fargo, ND 58102
The North Dakota Women’s Business Center (NDWBC) is a program of CTB, a certified entrepreneurship center located in Bismarck, ND. The NDWBC receives federal funds through grants from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and matching funds from the North Dakota Department of Commerce on the state level.
SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership (OWBO) is the only federal government office charged to help women become full partners in economic development through small business ownership. OWBO provides programs to support women entrepreneurs from business start-up to expansion through a variety of services and resources.
The NDWBC offers business advising along with additional programs and anyone can access FREE on-demand training Library. The Library contains a series of training videos on an array of topics that aim to support entrepreneurs and professionals by providing education, training, and resources. Click here to access the library.
The NDWBC also offers outreach to the Oakes area. Contact Rebecca Undem at director@growingsmalltowns.org or 701.799.1115 to arrange a visit.
Website: https://www.ndwbc.com/
Many programs are available through the ND Department of Commerce. Please visit their website for more information.