JSDC board approves Flex PACE for purchase, remodel of building

Editor's note: The story was updated to say Studio 40 will remain at its current location.

JAMESTOWN — The Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp. Board of Directors unanimously approved on Monday, May 8, an application for a Flex PACE interest buydown for up to $25,000 for a business to purchase and renovate a building.

The building at 115 4th Ave. SE will be purchased by 4th Avenue Concepts, which is owned by Joel Guthmiller and Lori Tarno, and renovated to house Joe Mechanical LLC — a plumbing, heating and cooling contractor in Jamestown — and another tenant, said Corry Shevlin, CEO of JSDC. Guthmiller also owns Joe Mechanical. Justin Skadsem, owner of Studio 40 Tattoo, said in a message to The Jamestown Sun that he will be staying in that location.

Shevlin said the maximum amount needed for the project is more than $17,400, but the JSDC New Business Attraction Committee recommended approval for up to $25,000 for the project. The funds will be used to buy down the interest rate and the savings will be passed along to tenants in the building, according to the application for the Flex PACE interest buydown.

In other business, the JSDC board unanimously approved eight applications for the Internship Reimbursement Program.

The total estimated payroll cost for the internships is more than $44,000 with the JSDC’s share being more than $21,300. Shevlin said there is about $64,000 in funding available for the Internship Reimbursement Program after the eight applications were approved.

The Internship Reimbursement Program is designed to increase the number of local internships and assist employers in Stutsman County in workforce recruitment and retention, according to JSDC’s website. The program contributes up to $3,500 to reimburse employers that hire university/college students to assist in the payroll costs. The program is open to employers in Stutsman County and interns must be paid at least $15 per hour.

Shevlin said there were five other applications for the Internship Reimbursement Program that were not approved. He said they were either deemed to be part-time jobs or outside of the field of study in which the student was enrolled.

The JSDC board unanimously approved funding to help an existing day care expand its capacity.

Charge On Together Childcare LLC, located at 321 16th Ave. NE in Jamestown, requested $10,000 from the JSDC’s Daycare Expansion Assistance Program that will be used to help remodel the basement area of the day care. The renovation will include another entrance and help provide more space and separation between younger and older children.

After the renovation, Charge On Together Childcare will be able to add 11 more spots in the community for day care, increasing its total from 17 to 28.