2024 Community Challenge

Grand prize up to $10,000

How to Apply

1. Dream as big as you’d like
2. Start working on the details
3. Fill out an application
4. Finalists will go to public vote
5. One finalist will win up to $10,000 to make their dream a reality

We know you have a great idea and we can’t wait to help you make it happen. Fill out an application linked above and start your journey to create Bowman County.

Completed applications must include:

1. Community Challenge Application
   • Including a
     • One page summary
     • Cost estimate
     • Timeline
     • Visuals
     • Letter or verification of approval (if needed)
2. Signed Community Challenge Eligibility and Rules

Eligibility Requirements

Open to all individuals within Bowman County with an event or project in Bowman County. Anyone 17 years or younger may apply, but must have a team member 18 years or older willing to take responsibility.

Process & Timeline

Applicants will be narrowed down to the finalists by a judging panel. The finalists will go to a public vote to determine the winner of up to $10,000.

1. Application Deadline – March 5, 2024
2. Meeting with Judges – March 26 – 29, 2024
3. Applicant Notification – March 29, 2024
4. Public Voting – April 15 – 29, 2024
5. Winner Announcement – April 30 – May 3, 2024
6. Project Completion – May 31, 2025

Note: Timeline subject to modification.

Our Story

The Community Challenge was created as a platform to empower our county to bring their dreams to life. By enabling our fellow community members to create an event or project to better Bowman County we are able to enhance our quality of life and give our residents a way to showcase what they want in their community.

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The Community Challenge is hosted by Bowman County Development Corporation and Bowman Tax and Tourism Committee. Community Development is a key part of what we do. It serves to better quality of life which is part of our organization’s mission. While we host and develop new ideas out of our office each year, we feel that encouraging individuals within the community to do the same could create greater impact and further develop experiences in our community.

Scranton Baseball Complex Kid Park

2023 Community Challenge Winner

The 2023 Bowman County Community Challenge saw two incredible projects make it to the live, community vote. After over 5,000 votes and a two week voting period, a winner has been declared. The 2023 winning project is the Scranton Baseball Complex Kid Park! Congratulations to Scranton Lions and their partners in this project: Scranton Public School and Friends of Firemen.

Scranton’s Baseball Complex is a hot spot in the summer. The current park was completed in the 1980’s and is in need of an upgrade with added safety measures. This project will include new playground equipment and a flex fiber floor. During the summer months, this baseball complex is a gathering area for many families in and around the town of Scranton. Most evenings, this park hosts up to 50 families as baseball practices and games are being held. By updating this park, it will have an enormous impact on the area’s children and work towards improving the quality of life in the community of Scranton and beyond. This project is proposed to be completed in the Summer of 2023.

This project is supported both in resources and financially by Scranton Public School and Friends of Firemen. The remaining needed funds will be garnered by these organizations. The total project cost is $25,000 with $10,000 being awarded from the Community Challenge.

Community online voting was held April 10 – 24 between two projects: Scranton Lions’ Baseball Complex Kid Park and Meowsers’ Free Spay/Neuter Vet Clinics. Both projects were fun and would have been of great value to Bowman County.

“The number of votes and passionate people we had behind these two projects was incredible to see. We are grateful to have another successful year of the Community Challenge. We love seeing our communities projects come to life,” said Brooklyn Engelhart, Bowman County Development Corporation.

The Bowman County Community Challenge was created by Bowman County Development Corporation and funded by Bowman Tax and Tourism. Previous awardees include: Brosz Engineering (2020) Wet & Dry Park Complex at Rotary Park, Southwest Shooting Club (2021) Southwest Shooting Complex, and Crossroads Custom Designs (2022) Art Installation at the end of Bowman’s Main Street.

Pictured Left to Right: Shelby Kinkade (BCDC), Jerry Aase (Scranton Lions), Carleen Ensign (Scranton Lions), Brooklyn Engelhart (BCDC), Kelly Pierce (Scranton Public School), Brenda Wedwick (Scranton Lions), Marion Erickson (Scranton Lions), Laura Weber (BCDC)

Welcome to Bowman Art Installation

Congratulations to the 2022 Community Challenge Winner!

Crossroads Custom Designs, under James Harriman, took home the grand prize for the 2022 Bowman County Community Challenge. His project consists of a steel art installation at the North end of Bowman’s Main Street. This laser-cut steel sign will depict the rugged badlands of Southwest North Dakota. Not only will this piece beautify Bowman’s Main Street, but it will also serve as a welcoming photo opportunity for visitors. As winner of the community voting, Harriman received a $7,000 grant award from the Bowman County Community Challenge to install the piece.

Community online voting was held March 14 – 18 between two projects: Harriman’s Badlands installation and Nancy Schaefer’s Plant Bowman County. Both projects were fun and either would have made a unique addition to Bowman County.

“The projects submitted for the Community Challenge never cease to amaze me. It’s incredible what people will do for their community when given the means. We are so excited for another successful Community Challenge project,” said Brooklyn Engelhart, Bowman County Development Corporation.

Harriman’s project is expected to be installed early summer.

This year’s judges included Nick Walker, Bob Morland, Dianne Pierce, and Brooklyn Engelhart. The judges reviewed the projects before the community votes for the winner to ensure project viability. The Bowman County Community Challenge was created by Bowman County Development Corporation and funded by Bowman Tax and Tourism. 2020 Awardee: Splash Pad at Rotary Park by Brosz Engineering, Inc. 2021 Awardee: Southwest Shooting Complex.

Pictured L to R: Kristi Blaser (Bowman County Development Corporation), Shelby Kinkade (Bowman County Development Corporation), James Harriman (Crossroads Custom Designs), Chenyi Harriman (Crossroads Custom Designs), Brooklyn Engelhart (Bowman County Development Corporation), Laura Weber (Bowman County Development Corporation), Teran Doerr (Bowman County Development Corporation)

Southwest Shooting Complex

Congratulations to the 2021 Community Challenge Winners!

Bowman Parks and Recreation took home the win of $10,000 for the 2021 Community Challenge for a Shooting Range in Bowman County. Their proposal includes plans to provide a location for an archery range, clay pigeon area, and shooting range.

A shooting range will provide a facility where hunters can practice shooting, locals can site in their guns, and a safe place where elders can teach young hunters. Plus, it offers the availability to service 4-H clubs, gun safety, school clubs, and many more possibilities. The shooting range will be supported by membership fees.

Bowman Parks and Recreation will be writing additional grants and fundraising to secure required funding. More information will continue to be released as the project progresses. Further questions can be directed to Bowman Parks and Recreation.

This year’s judges included Aurora Wallman, Brooklyn Engelhart, Claira Kees, Josh Weakly, and Nick Walker. The Community Challenge was created by Bowman County Development Corporation and funded by the Bowman Tax and Tourism Committee. Both organizations are hopeful to host another challenge in 2022. Brosz Engineering, Inc. was the first winner in 2020. Do you have a great idea to create your community? Keep an eye out in 2022!

Pictured (L to R)

T Row: Laura Weber (Bowman County Development Corporation), Claira Kees (ProPoint Livestock and 2021 Judge), Bob Wokal (Bowman Parks and Rec Board Member), Chanell Walby (Bowman Parks and Rec), Jane Nelson (Bowman Parks and Rec)

B Row: Teran Doerr (Bowman County Development Corporation), Ed Kvaale (Bowman Parks and Rec Board Member), Matthew Buchholz (Bowman Parks and Rec Board Member), Chris Johnson (Bowman Parks and Rec Board Member), Brooklyn Engelhart (Bowman County Development Corporation and 2021 Judge), Darwin Wilke (Bowman Parks and Rec Board Member), Shelby Kinkade (Bowman County Development Corporation)

Splash Pad at Rotary Park

Congratulations to the 2020 Community Challenge Winners!

Splash Pad Update as of June 14, 2021

The community voted and chose their favorite 2020 Community Challenge applicant, the Splash Path at Rotary Park. Brosz Engineering, Inc. submitted a $25,000 proposal to create a walking path full of colorful and exciting water features that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With the touch of a button, you will be able to provide safe, refreshing, and entertaining aquatic play. This new community project will be completed in 2021.

Community voting was held for two weeks in which individuals could vote once every 24 hours for their favorite project. There were four applicants in the live voting round including a community garden, kayak and canoe rental facility, dog agility training, and the winning splash path.

“Our community is what makes Bowman County so special, that’s why we wanted to help create something new for the residents. We were thrilled to have participation from different age groups and locations,” said Shelby Kinkade, Project Coordinator at Bowman County Development Corporation.

The Community Challenge was created by Bowman County Development Corporation and funded by the Bowman Tax and Tourism committee. Both organizations are hopeful to host another challenge in 2021. Brosz Engineering, Inc. was awarded $10,000 and will secure the rest of their funding through sponsorships. Do you have a great idea to create your community? Keep an eye out in 2021!

Pictured (L to R)

Lindsey Narum (Bowman County Development Corporation), Laura Weber (Bowman County Development Corporation), Billy Doerr (Brosz Engineering, Inc.), Jon Brosz (Brosz Engineering, Inc.), Brooklyn Engelhart (Bowman County Development Corporation and 2020 Judge), Shelby Kinkade (Bowman County Development Corporation, Kristi Blaser (Bowman County Development Corporation)