Spring is finally here and we are slowly but surely getting to see some of the nature that’s blossoming around our area.

One local non-profit is taking advantage of this warm weather to try and beautify one section in North Dakota.

The Mandan Flowers project is lead by a group of 5 business leaders.

They hope by putting out flowers throughout downtown it will not only make it more welcoming but also help boost the economy.

This has been a 9-month project, but have just recently started collecting money and reaching out to sponsors.

The head manager of the project told me it just makes a more vibrant place for people to visit.

Project Manager of Mandan Flower Project, Amy Bickleman says, “And its been proven all across the country all sorts of towns, large and small when they add things simple like hanging flower baskets or planters they want to stop. People are driving by they want to stop they want to get out of their car and walk around. It becomes more of a park-like setting and they are more apt to go into store and shop. The benefits are just multifold.”

They say other cities around the nation that have done similar projects have seen an increasing amount of sales and more citizens interacting in the downtown area.

One of the biggest things they found was that the whole community buy-in was overwhelming with support, but say the project is more expensive than people think.

Mandan Flower Project member, Maria Walen says, “Even still that comes to about $17,000 for the 40 hanging planters that we want and then also the planters on the ground. So that is the budget we came up with, plus the brackets on the ground that can hold up to 70 lbs when they are full of water, dirt, and the flowers.”

Walen says they found discounted rates for the flowers, and that will save a little money, but they still have a long ways to go.

This pilot project will total around $30,000 and cost approximately $8,000 annually to sustain.

Only about $1,000 has been raised, but hope they can get enough money and sponsors by June 1st.

Bickleman says a local boy scout troop has already said they would take care of maintaining the flowers. However, if they can’t cover the cost by that time they will have to forward the project over for next year.

Becoming a sponsor will get you your own plaque that will be featured in downtown Mandan. For more information about how you can help or donate, click here.

