The Moorhead City Council approved a Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) on June 13 by a vote of 7-1. The PPA was also approved by Fargo on June 6. Fargo and Moorhead are the two original local sponsors of the federal FM Area Diversion Project. The PPA is a significant milestone in the Diversion Project's history as it guarantees the federal financial participation and allows construction to begin this fall

"Fargo and Moorhead have a long history of coming together to act as one whenever our community faces an opportunity or a challenge. Our economies and cultures are intertwined, so when it comes to providing safety to our citizens, we stand together as one as well," said Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney and Moorhead Mayor Del Rae Williams in a joint statement. "For 8 years, our two great cities have worked diligently together to develop and secure long-lasting, permanent flood protection. The signing of the PPA with the Corps ensures that the FM Diversion will be built; and that the fear and anxiety from flooding that threatens our citizens and businesses on an annual basis will, once and for all, be eliminated."