Several targeted grants that affect Fargo and Cass County were reported during a legislative‑session recap, with legislators describing a mix of cash awards and conditional grants.

Speakers highlighted a $500,000 grant to the Fargo Theatre that requires the theatre to raise matching funds (described as a two‑for‑one match: raise $1,000,000 to unlock $500,000). Josh Beauchea described the grant as vetted through the normal process and not a late appropriations ornament: "Carla introduced hers as a bill from day 1 and went through the whole process. So it was vetted, it was supported. So when they did try to cut it ... she was able to go back and remind everyone the fact that this has been thoroughly vetted."

Other Cass County allocations described at the forum included a $10,000,000 grant to the NDSU Research and Technology Park (noted as $5,000,000 cash with a required $5,000,000 match), $5,000,000 to the Great Plains Food Bank for a South Fargo distribution center, a $3,000,000 grant for the veterans cemetery north of Fargo to add restrooms and a visitor center, and $7,500,000 for Grand Farm (autonomous agriculture). The Fargo and Grand Forks science museums were each allocated $1,000,000 contingent on a Strategic Investment Improvement Fund (SIF) balance trigger of $400,000,000.

Beauchea also noted a smaller grant program that will make up to $100,000 available to county fairs (a $1,000,000 pool statewide) and a $2,000,000 allocation to support fixed‑route transit and paratransit for the four large cities, which local officials thanked commissioners for advocating.

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Forum participants described the grants as meaningful investments for local infrastructure, workforce development and food‑security capacity; several awards carry matching requirements or contingent triggers and may not be available until conditions are met.