The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced today that 13 organizations were recently approved for $4,288,345 through the Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP) in round 2. The RWIP provides grants to regional workforce entities in North Dakota to design and implement innovative plans to address their region’s most demanding workforce challenges.
“We are excited to see the creativity and regional focus of these Round 2 RWIP grant recipients,” said Janna Pastir, Commerce Workforce Deputy Director. “These projects directly address the childcare shortage and workforce attraction challenges faced by many North Dakota communities. By supporting the expansion of childcare capacity and innovative marketing campaigns, we are investing in a stronger workforce pipeline for the future.”
The RWIP recipients include:
- Learning Adventures Childcare was funded $487,000.00 to purchase a building and expand childcare capacity by 70 slots.
- Western Region Economic Development was funded $40,000.00 for national digital marketing of regional in-person job fairs.
- El Way Child Care was funded $331,216.00 to build a physical expansion and add 58 childcare spots, including 12 infant spots.
- Walsh County JDA was funded $380,593.00 for two separate projects, one that will address workforce shortages by attracting new residents through marketing and events, while the other project will expand a childcare with an additional 30 slots through a new air handling system.
- Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation (GFMEDC) was funded $500,000.00 to create 2 separate marketing campaigns, one that showcases the benefits of living and working in the region, including developing videos, a website, and automated communication and the other to attract and retain alumni and a broader workforce audience.
- Wyndmere C.A.R.E. was funded $495,478.00 to facilitate the construction of a new childcare facility with a capacity of 60 children.
- Buzy Beez Childcare LLC was funded $169,000.00 to purchase a commercial property and open a new childcare facility with a capacity of 30 children.
- Victory Christian School Childcare was funded $500,000.00 for childcare expansion to add 48 new childcare slots.
- Bismarck Mandan EDC was funded $100,000.00 to create video testimonials and drone footage showcasing the area's growth and lifestyle to attract new talent.
- Community Church Child Care was funded $428,045.00 for Phase Two of their childcare center project, adding 50 full-time slots.
- The Enrichment Garden was funded $500,000.00 to expand their childcare facility in NW Bismarck and add 30 childcare slots.
- Bowman County Development Corporation was funded $152,583.00 for a talent attraction campaign to fill high-need jobs.
- Roosevelt Custer Regional Council was funded $204,430.00 to enhance the "Wide Open Wonder" workforce recruitment campaign.
Round 3 of the RWIP is currently open until July 9, 2024, and eligible applicants can visit ndgov/RWIP to apply.