North Dakota Country Fest Declines $4M Grant

Other tourist attractions can now apply for the funds.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 3:23pm

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A North Dakota country music festival, North Dakota Country Fest, has decided to turn down a $4 million state grant. The State Department of Commerce had awarded the grant to the festival in October as part of $15 million in tourism project funding. However, the festival's founder and owner has decided not to relocate the stage, move the festival grounds, and build out the campground as required by the grant. The state agency will now begin accepting applications from other tourist attractions for the $4 million in available funds.

Why it matters

The decision by North Dakota Country Fest to decline the $4 million grant opens up the funding opportunity for other tourist attractions in the state to apply for the money. This could provide a boost to the tourism industry in North Dakota, which has faced challenges in recent years.

The details

In October, the North Dakota State Department of Commerce announced that North Dakota Country Fest had been awarded a $4 million grant as part of $15 million in funding for 23 tourism projects across the state. However, the festival's founder and owner has now decided not to move forward with the relocation and expansion plans required by the grant. As a result, the state agency will begin accepting applications from other tourist attractions for the $4 million in available funds starting on February 10, with the application period closing on March 10.

In October 2025, North Dakota Country Fest was awarded a $4 million state grant.
On January 28, 2026, the festival announced it would decline the grant.

The players