ND Supreme Court dismisses anti-Fufeng group appeal as moot

The North Dakota Supreme Court has ruled that an appeal over the failed Fufeng project is moot.

Opponents of the Grand Forks project had appealed a district court ruling to the state’s high court after their petition calling for a vote was ruled invalid by the city.

The High Court announced today (Tue) that “the appeals are dismissed as moot.”

Grand Forks Council President Dana Sande says the decision will likely put the issue to rest.

“My reading into it is, because (Fufeng is) not building (the plant), there’s no point in (the court) making a decision one way or the other, so it’s moot,” Sande said.

The proposed Fufeng corn milling plant project was terminated earlier this year after Air Force officials said it posed a significant threat for security reasons because of the project’s ties to China and its proximity to the Grand Forks Air Force Base.

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(From ND Supreme Court:)

IN THE SUPREME COURT
STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA

ORDER OF DISMISSAL

Supreme Court No. 20220305-20220306
Grand Forks Co. Court No. 2022-CV-00590, 2022-CV-00594

Benjamin Grzadzielewski,
and People for the Vote LLC, Petitioners and Appellants
v.
City of Grand Forks, North Dakota,
Maureen Storstad, in her official
capacity as City Auditor, Respondents and Appellees

[¶1] On March 20, 2023, a motion to dismiss these appeals was filed by Apppelles
City of Grand Forks, North Dakota and Maureen Storstad, in her official capacity as
City Auditor. On March 31, 2023, a response was filed by Appellants Benjamin
Grzadzielewski, and People for the Vote LLC. On April 21, 2023, the Appellees filed
a supplemental brief in support of their motion to dismiss. The Court considered the
matter, and
[¶2] ORDERED, the appeals are DISMISSED as moot.
[¶3] The Supreme Court of the State of North Dakota convened April 25, 2023 with
the Honorable Jon J. Jensen, Chief Justice, and the Honorable Daniel J. Crothers,
the Honorable Lisa Fair McEvers, the Honorable Jerod E. Tufte, and the Honorable
Douglas A. Bahr, Justices, directing the Clerk of the Supreme Court to enter the
above order.

Petra H. Mandigo Hulm
Clerk
North Dakota Supreme Court