FM Area Diversion Receives $10 Million from Minnesota Bonding Bill

May 18, 2026

FM Area Diversion Receives $10 Million from Minnesota Bonding Bill

FARGO, ND (May 18, 2026) - The FM Area Diversion project will receive $10 million from the recently passed Minnesota Bonding Bill to use on Minnesota flood-protection projects. The money will go to the Moorhead-Clay County Joint Powers Authority to fund stormwater lift station improvements in Moorhead as well as other mitigation projects in Clay and Wilkin County.

Thanks to $100 million that just came into the project fund from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' underspend on bids, the Metro Flood Diversion Authority Board authorized a 50/50 match for any funding from the legislature. That opens up $20 million for work on Minnesota flood control.

"I want to sincerely thank Sen. Rob Kupec as well as Rep. Heather Keeler and Rep. Jim Joy for their tireless efforts in helping secure this funding as part of the Bonding Bill," said MFDA Executive Director Jason Benson. "Their work will help protect Clay County residents and, once FEMA remaps the floodplain, allow them to drop flood insurance premiums."

Work is expected to begin this year on the funded projects.

About the Metro Flood Diversion Authority

The MFDA is a permanent North Dakota political subdivision that is cooperatively implementing the Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion comprehensive project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The MFDA works in partnership with the Red River Valley Alliance in a public-private partnership as well as the City of Fargo, City of Moorhead, Cass County, Clay County and the Cass County Joint Water Resource District.