July 24, 2024
Hear Industry Leaders at the Main Street ND Summit
Head to Watford City August 27-29 for the Main Street ND Summit and unlock your community's extraordinary potential! This year's "Regional Prosperity" theme gathers renowned experts Eric Termuende, Torrie Allen, Teva Dawson, and Cory Hepola to share their blueprints for thriving communities. Discover innovative strategies, harness the power of teamwork, and learn how to craft a compelling story for your town. From revitalization tactics to placemaking magic, you'll gain actionable insights to transform your community. Connect with inspiring leaders, forge partnerships, and return home energized to create a brighter future. Governor Doug Burgum will kick off the Summit with his inspiring keynote.
2024 Governor’s Photo Contest for Travel and Tourism Now Open
The Governor's Photo Contest is back, inviting you to capture the magic of our four seasons. Whether it's a breathtaking winter wonderland, vibrant fall foliage, blooming spring landscapes, or sunny summer adventures, we want to see your best shots! Winners will receive cash prizes, statewide recognition, and the chance to have their photos displayed in the State Capitol. Don't miss this opportunity to share your love for North Dakota. Submit your photos by January 31, 2025.
Kessel Represents North Dakota at Farnborough Airshow
Commerce Deputy Commissioner Shawn Kessel is making a significant impact at the Farnborough International Airshow, positioning North Dakota as a key player in the global aerospace industry. He's met with over a dozen drone and aerospace companies, showcasing North Dakota's ecosystem and exploring opportunities for testing and Vantis integration. In addition to exploring opportunities for the state, he networked with industry professionals, including Lindsey Warner of the North Dakota Trade Office and Terry Zimmerman of Packet Digital, at a social event hosted at the Natural History Museum.
Miller Promoted to Deputy Director of Economic Development & Finance
We are thrilled to share that Tracey Miller has been promoted to Deputy Director of Economic Development & Finance at Commerce! Miller has been an invaluable asset to our team, demonstrating exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to the state’s economic growth. We are excited to see her take on this expanded role and contribute even more to our efforts to attract and retain businesses in North Dakota.
Free Webinar: Building Thriving Communities
Are you passionate about fostering welcoming and engaged communities? The Office of Community Development and Rural Prosperity invites you to join their FREE webinar featuring the expertise of the Grand Forks Community Foundation and Longest Table committee members.
This session will explore:
- Workforce development strategies to strengthen our local economy.
- Community engagement best practices to build a vibrant and inclusive Grand Forks.
- Collaboration techniques to maximize impact.
- Fostering welcoming communities where everyone feels valued and supported.
AGT Expands Plant-Based Production with Facility in Minot
AGT Foods marked a milestone with the inauguration of their state-of-the-art Extrusion Center in Minot. This cutting-edge facility enables AGT to produce new plant-based products, including gluten-free pasta and meat alternatives. Commerce's Value-added Ag Business Development Manager Kevin Sonsalla joined government officials such as Senators Hoeven and Cramer to underscore the significance of AGT's investment in North Dakota's agriculture sector. The Extrusion Center is poised to become one of the globe's largest facilities for gluten-free pasta production, reinforcing AGT's commitment to innovation and the state's agricultural prosperity.
Join the North Dakota Tourism Industry Chat Tomorrow
Don't miss the next North Dakota Tourism Industry Chat on Thursday, July 25 at 2 p.m. CST! Stay informed, network with fellow tourism professionals, and gain valuable insights to boost your business. These quarterly chats provide essential industry updates and resources. Want to join the conversation? Register now by emailing Heather LeMoine at hlemoine@nd.gov. Past chats are available online for those who are unable attend.
Participate in the 2024 Global Talent Summit
The North Dakota Office of Legal Immigration invites you to our inaugural North Dakota Global Talent Summit on August 21, 2024, in Bismarck. Learn from top experts in immigration recruitment and law, discover tailored recruitment opportunities, and gain valuable tips on retaining international students and foreign-born workers. Whether you’re an employer or a legislator, this event will provide essential insights and resources to support a more inclusive and dynamic workforce. Don’t miss this chance to network with like-minded professionals and stay ahead in the global talent race!
July 10, 2024
Teigen Highlights North Dakota's Growth
Commerce Commissioner Josh Teigen delivered a keynote address at the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp.'s annual meeting on June 26. His overview celebrated North Dakota's economic and population growth, showcasing a substantial increase in capital investments from $2 billion in 2020 to a staggering $64 billion today. Teigen highlighted North Dakota's strategic advantages, including its rich natural resources and the burgeoning appeal of the state as a destination for businesses and residents alike.
Teigen's address wasn't just a reflection of statistics; it underscored the pivotal role of strategic planning and development in shaping North Dakota's future trajectory. His presence at the meeting was instrumental in affirming Commerce's steadfast commitment to fostering innovation and progress across the state. By emphasizing the state's robust economy and its dynamic, expanding workforce, Teigen illustrated how North Dakota stands at the forefront of economic vitality and opportunity in the region. His insights into ongoing initiatives driving population growth and economic diversification highlighted the pivotal role of proactive governance and community engagement in North Dakota's continued prosperity.
Join the North Dakota Global Talent Summit 2024
The North Dakota Office of Legal Immigration invites you to our inaugural North Dakota Global Talent Summit on August 21, 2024, in Bismarck. Learn from top experts in immigration recruitment and law, discover tailored recruitment opportunities, and gain valuable tips on retaining international students and foreign-born workers. Whether you’re an employer or a legislator, this event will provide essential insights and resources to support a more inclusive and dynamic workforce. Don’t miss this chance to network with like-minded professionals and stay ahead in the global talent race!
Teigen and Japanese Delegates Strengthen Economic Ties
Commerce Commissioner Josh Teigen, Consul General of Japan in Chicago, Jun Yanagi, and JETRO Chicago Executive Director Tomofumi Nishizawa sat down to discuss a variety of partnership opportunities, largely stemming from the Governor’s visit to Japan in late 2022. The two discussed a variety of industrial projects, of which are currently confidential to the public, but encompassed energy, agriculture, and manufacturing. The diplomatic relationship between Japan and North Dakota has never been stronger, and this visit helped further solidify the mutually beneficial economic partnerships that are in the pipeline and underway between the State of North Dakota and Japan and its companies.
Register for the Main Street ND Summit
Community leaders! The Main Street ND Summit in Watford City (August 27-29) is your chance to collaborate, learn, and be recognized for your community's achievements! Network with experts, discover new ideas, and celebrate at Watford City's planned Summit events. The Summit coincides with the Governor's Main Street Awards. Does your community's project qualify? Nominate it and be a part of the celebration! See all award categories here.
Research Confirms Record Visitation to North Dakota
North Dakota tourism is thriving! Visitation reached a record 25.6 million in 2023, with visitor spending exceeding $3.3 billion. Day trips are a growing trend, with 17.8 million visitors enjoying the state's offerings without overnight stays. Cass County remains the leader in visitor spending, while all counties saw an average growth of 8.8%. However, the hospitality industry is still recovering from pandemic closures. Despite this, tourism's positive impact extends beyond the industry, generating over $307 million in tax revenue, resulting in an annual savings of $960 per North Dakota household.
Attention CDBG Grantees! Update Your Data for Low-Moderate Income Activities
The Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced its update to the data on low- and moderate-income communities. Effective August 1, 2024, new low- and moderate-income summary data (LMISD) based on the 2016-2020 American Community Survey (ACS) is now available. As of August 1, 2024, to qualify any new low- and moderate-income area (LMA) activities, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grantees should use this new data.
The updated spreadsheet of Low and Moderate Income by Community can be found on Commerce’s website. To verify you are seeing the correct spreadsheet you must clear your cache browser. As a reference check, the City of Abercrombie is now 26.40%.
Further questions can be directed to CDBG staff 701-328-5300, or dcs@nd.gov.