Grygla organizations benefit from over $94,000 in Beltrami County Con-Con funds

Written by Kari Sundberg, Eagle Editor

Various organizations around Grygla are benefiting greatly, thanks to Beltrami County Con-Con funds. A total of $94,330 was distributed last week by Tim Sumner, Beltrami County Commissioner, along with local members of the board, Wally Byklum, Jean Foss, Ray Hendrickson and Ray Benson. 

Receiving $35,000 to put towards their new ambulance, Grygla Fire & Rescue members expressed their appreciation for the funds last Wednesday, July 19th. “We wouldn’t be able to provide all of the services we can without the help of this money we receive,” stated Fire & Rescue volunteer Lynn Anderson. “We are so appreciative of the support every year,” he added.

Con-Con and PILT funds are distributed annually and go towards a variety of safety & economic developments. Board member, Wally Byklum, has been very instrumental in getting Grygla organizations the funds they need, although he would rather his efforts go unnoticed. “Tim Sumner, Kay Mack and JoDee Treat deserve the recognition. They need to be identified as the ones who really pull for our community and make sure our area gets a good share of these funds,” he insisted. 

As mentioned, Sumner is the Beltrami County Chairman of Board of Commissioners and has been so since November of 2012. When he ran for re-election, he campaigned to build a better community and wants what’s best for all the people of Beltrami County. Wally Byklum feels Sumner is doing just that, and awarding the Grygla Community with these funds is proof.

The office of Auditor-Treasurer is managed under the direction of JoDee Treat while Kay Mack is the Beltrami County Administrator.

In Beltrami County, Con-Con funds are generated from timber sales vs. taxpayer dollars. Consolidated Conservation lands, referred to as Con-Con lands, are state-owned property held in the public trust specifically for conservation purposes. Con-Con funds that went to the Grygla community this year were $47,853.

PILT funds (the Payments in Lieu of Taxes Program) also go out annually. Grygla organizations benefitted from $46,477 this calendar year.

The amount varies each year based on what comes in for requests, what doesn’t get distributed and is sitting in reserves, and also what was generated in timber sales.

Along with the funds for a new ambulance, the Grygla Fire Department also received $12,500; they will continue to receive that same amount yearly. The Grygla Centennial Committee was given $20,000, the Senior Citizen’s Club was given $9,000 and the Grygla/Gatzke Food Shelf was given $2,500.

Various townships around our area also received funds, including $3,800 going towards the upkeep of the Wayside Rest at Grande Corner.

It was a group effort by multiple people to make these potential funds a reality, but a few people need recognition. With Cheryl Sistad writing the grant for the Centennial funds and Wally working together with her and the Senior Citizen’s Committee, and also initiating a lot of the action that needed to be put into place, the end result has paid off.

Con-Con and PILT funds benefit our area yearly. Both the Fourtown and Grygla dumpsters are funded by these dollars every year, and last year, our community housing received $8,000 for new shingles while the First Responders received funds for their defibrillator. The Grygla School also receives an allotment out of the Con-Con funds to go towards yearly operation.

Minneosta’s Con-Con lands are only located in half a dozen counties; they include: Aitkin, Beltrami, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall and Roseau. Grygla receives dollars from Marshall County, along with Beltrami, as the town provides many services to residents in Beltrami County.