The Overview
Ever wonder what happens when a state's big history project runs out of money halfway up? Construction of the planned Military Gallery at the North Dakota Heritage Center stalled in mid-2026 after fundraising fell short of the project's roughly $78 million price tag, leaving construction bills unpaid.
The project had about $39.2 million in state funding committed, but the gap between that and total costs brought work to a halt after roughly a year of construction. North Dakota's Senate Bill 2407 provides an appropriation to the state historical society for the North Dakota military museum project and authorizes a line of credit, and the governor signed it Sept. 4.
What the Law Does
The law gives the State Historical Society money for the North Dakota military museum project and authorizes a line of credit. Lawmakers approved a $20 million loan for Military Gallery construction, according to KFYR-TV.
The law also amends the jurisdiction of the heritage center and repeals a requirement that tied access to funding from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund to a donation pledge. It provides for a report and includes a statement of legislative intent. The North Dakota Monitor reported that the House passed legislation providing a financial lifeline for the stalled Military Gallery.
Legislative Status
David Hogue is the lead sponsor of the bill, with Brad Bekkedahl, Mike Lefor and Don Vigesaa as cosponsors. The Senate passed the bill Sept. 3 with 39 yes votes and eight no votes.
The bill passed 71 to 22 on Sept. 4. A North Dakota Monitor report noted that lawmakers called the project "a black eye" but moved forward with funding anyway.
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