Grand Forks County Commission candidates talk PILOTs, transportation priorities

GRAND FORKS — During a candidate forum hosted Wednesday by the Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Chamber, many of the candidates for Grand Forks County Commission had similar outlooks on addressing county concerns. One of those topics was the candidates' top priorities for roads and transportation. Rachel Duray, Debra Kolden-Thibert and Mark Rustad mentioned the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and Airport Drive, which has been approved for roundabout construction to start sometime in 2028. County 5 and (Highway 2) was a charge I raised my hand to lead, Rustad said. Of all the things I ve done as a county commissioner, it s easily the one I m most proud of. I don t know if a roundabout is for sure the right solution, but I just know that what we re doing now is not. Rustad also wants to fix drainage problems on a stretch of road near Larimore Dam. Duray, Kolden-Thibert and Rustad, along with Kimberly Hagen and Andrew Krauseneck, are running for three seats on the commi