December 27, 2023 - Commerce Year in Review
As 2023 draws to a close, Commerce celebrates a historic year, marked by unparalleled success across all functions. Looking back, I'm overwhelmed by immense gratitude. The team at Commerce remains our greatest asset, and there isn’t a team on earth I would take over the one we have today. We're entrusted with perhaps the most exciting mission in state government: creating wealth and prosperity for North Dakota. This excitement is fueled by the fact that we have a Governor who is committed to innovation, creativity, and a better future for all North Dakota citizens. We're fortunate to have a vision-aligned legislature and a state that is blessed with unrivaled economic prosperity, enabling us to fund initiatives that advance our mission.
Overall, North Dakota is a safe haven for economic headwinds that face our world. Unlike other states facing extremes, North Dakota finds calm through deliberate strategy, focused execution, and collaborative governance. It happens not by chance, but on the dedication of thousands who wake up every day with a fire in their hearts to improve the lives of every North Dakotan. I am blessed to play a small role in the greater vision, leading an agency graced with tremendous talent, and a mission to go out and create a prosperous future for the state that we all love.
~ Commerce Commissioner, Josh Teigen
Economic Development and Infrastructure
- Renaissance Zone Revitalization:
Implemented the most comprehensive changes since 1999, empowering intelligent growth by incentivizing resourceful use of existing infrastructure in community development endeavors. - Soybean Powerhouse:
Firmly cemented North Dakota as a soybean powerhouse, unlocking new market possibilities for local farmers and fostering soybean processing operations. - North Dakota Emerges as Prime Hub for Low-Carbon Industrial Facilities:
Gas to liquids (Cerilon GTL), ore processing (Talon Metals), fertilizer production and many more industries are taking advantage of North Dakota’s unique state geology coupled with the development of new innovative technologies, primacy and policy.
Tourism and Community Development
- Destination Development Grant Program:
Launched with $25 million and awarded to 14 entities, supporting transformative tourism experiences and bolstering economic prosperity and diversification. - Sustainable Food Delivery Program:
Pioneered a groundbreaking pilot grant initiative targeting rural grocery store sustainability, ensuring vital nourishment for underserved communities. - Main Street Community Milestone:
Celebrated the 100th Main Street Community, with a total of 107 communities engaged in supporting community development and rural prosperity.
Technology and Innovation
- Microsoft Dynamics D365 Implementation:
Empowered grantees and simplified grant management with seven portals, receiving over 300 applications and enhancing the process for everyone involved. - Digital Transformation:
Digitized all fiscal files, ensuring instant access to information for faster decision-making and improved financial agility.
Workforce Development
- Establishment of the Office of Legal Immigration:
Fostered effective collaboration globally, enriching our workforce and economic landscape through the movement and integration of international talent. - Regional Workforce Impact Program:
Supported over 60 projects addressing childcare, housing, training, and talent attraction, bringing industry-grade training to 600+ high schoolers and creating 1,600 new childcare slots.
Marketing and Influencer Engagement
- Influencer Program Success:
Hosted A-list influencers, generating 398,151 engagements and 1.7 million impressions, weaving fresh stories that capture the state's charm. - Find the Good Life in North Dakota Campaign:
Reestablished an active talent attraction initiative, delivering strong marketing results with 26.7 million impressions, 140,000 clicks, and 15,000 conversions. Thanks to new tracking capabilities in the Relocation Help Desk, we know that 12 communities have welcomed new workers and their families. - The HELLO Campaign:
This new campaign colorfully showcased North Dakota’s landscape, attractions, amenities and welcoming people. The multimedia campaign for attracted over 2.4 million new users to NDtourism.com, generating 130 million impressions and achieving a remarkable 0.45% click-through-rate and 94% video completion rate. This digital success contributed to a record-breaking year for North Dakota, with a 6.8% increase in hotel occupancy, 11.5% growth in national park visitation, and over $62 million more in hospitality tax revenue compared to 2022 through Q3. Arrivalist reported an 11.3% overall increase in visitation.
We extend our gratitude for the support from our partners, travelers, and residents. Your enthusiasm fuels our commitment to making North Dakota a place of innovation, growth, and opportunity.
Wishing you a prosperous 2024!
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December 14, 2023
Commerce Announces SSBCI Technical Assistance Grant Program to Catalyze Entrepreneurs
The North Dakota Department of Commerce is pleased to announce the launch of the SSBCI technical assistance grant program designed to empower Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual (SEDI)-owned businesses and Very Small Businesses (VSBs) to thrive in today's economic landscape.
In response to the recent approval for the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Technical Assistance (TA) funding in the amount of $572,143, Commerce is proud to partner with ILT Academy to offer comprehensive support to businesses seeking to leverage state and federal small business programs.
The SSBCI Technical Assistance grant funding enables North Dakota to partner with ILT Academy to facilitate the growth of SEDI-owned businesses and VSBs by providing essential legal, accounting, and financial advisory services as part of a broader more comprehensive entrepreneurial training through a cohort based model. Through this initiative, businesses will be equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to apply for support from various state and federal small business programs, and to connect with SSBCI-supported capital programs.
Commerce, in collaboration with ILT Academy, is committed to delivering an array of services tailored to the specific needs of beneficiary businesses. This support includes intensive training, education, and one-on-one coaching to enhance their business acumen.
Olive Ann Hotel Opens to Further Elevate Downtown Grand Forks
Tourism and Marketing Director Sara Otte Coleman spoke at the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of The Olive Ann Hotel in downtown Grand Forks. The destination boutique hotel incorporates the rich, aviation and aerospace history of Grand Forks and industry trailblazer and legend Olive Ann Beech into the 78 rooms which are connected to Sky restaurant and Cloud, 9 event center. Great detail was paid to the decor, amenities and service including art by local artists and locally made and grown amenities. Hundreds of people attended the event which also included an open house, showcasing the luxury rooms, suites and meeting space. Coleman said, this new property will elevate Grand Forks a premier destination thanks to the vision and commitment of Phil Gisi. Properties like The Olive Ann will not only attract visitor revenue but will support business and workforce development.
Cindy Griffin Assumes Role as Commerce Workforce Development Council Chair, Matt Marshall Vice Chair
Governor Burgum has appointed Cindy Griffin, VP of HR & Corporate Services at Harvestone Low Carbon Partners, as the Chair of the North Dakota Workforce Development Council, and Matt Marshall, Member Services, Rates, & Economic Development Manager at MinnKota Power Cooperative as Vice Chair. Together, they will lead the Council in its mission of advising the Governor and the public on workforce development needs and opportunities in North Dakota. Their focus is on optimizing resource use and avoiding unnecessary duplication of effort to meet the state's economic development needs effectively.
Elevate Your Destination: Join North Dakota's Rest Area Brochure Program!
The North Dakota Department of Commerce and the North Dakota Department of Transportation have collaborated to place travel information in fifteen rest areas along major traffic corridors across the state. The Tourism Division has also partnered with the State Historical Society of North Dakota to place travel brochures in two staffed historic site visitor centers.
When traveling, visitors often lack knowledge of local offerings and can be overwhelmed by the excess of information on the internet. The North Dakota Rest Area Brochure Distribution Program works to provide reliable resources about destinations and services to the public. North Dakota Tourism's managed tourist information areas can enhance visitor enjoyment by providing quality printed resources about a destination's offerings and can assist in directing people to staffed CVB/Chamber visitor centers.
Additional time spent exploring a community creates increased tourism economic impact through additional visitor expenditures, expanding length of stay/lodging, and higher visitation to attractions and businesses. North Dakota visitor information areas provide a one-stop, physical location from which travelers can connect to attractions, events, and businesses by allowing them to collect information about tourism opportunities and services in the state.
Sign up for the Rest Area Brochure Program is online only. Registration is now open. The fee for every style of brochure is $250 until Jan 5th. After that the fee increases to $300 for each style of brochure. Registration and payment must be received by Feb 16, 2024.
Application Period Now Open for the Automation Tax Credit Program
The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced today the application program is now open for primary sector businesses wishing to utilize the Automation Tax Credit for automation equipment purchases made during the 2023 calendar year. Applicants are required to submit applications by Jan. 31 but are encouraged to begin preparing applications early.
Under the Automation Tax Credit program (N.D.C.C. § 57-38-01.41), certified primary sector businesses stand to benefit from a tax credit of up to 15% for the acquisition or capital lease of machinery and equipment designed to automate manufacturing or animal agricultural processes within North Dakota. Should applicants require clarification on their primary sector certification status, assistance is available via email at ndedf@nd.gov.
To be eligible, applicants must have taken ownership of the automation equipment during the 2023 calendar year. Additionally, businesses applying must have held primary sector certification both at the time of purchase and throughout the application process. Applicants are required to submit applications by Jan. 31 but are encouraged to begin preparing applications early.
Commerce Celebrates the Holidays
Holiday Party, Appreciation Breakfast and an All-Staff full of learning and team building. It was a great week spent with our team from throughout the state.
Thank you to our planning committee for all your hard work and for everyone making the trip!
Commerce Collaborates with Dalberg and Labor Mobility Partnerships to Elevate Legal Immigration Strategies
With Dalberg's 20+ years of expertise and LaMP's focus on immigration law and workforce development, we're set to unveil innovative solutions through a statewide study. Paige Kuntz from the Office of Legal Immigration (OLI) expresses optimism, stating, "This alliance reaffirms our commitment to advancing OLI's mission, contributing to economic development and inclusivity in our state." Stay tuned for the full study report in Spring 2024!
Commerce to Open Rural Facility Planning Grant for Community Enhancement
According to Maria Effertz, Commerce Community Services Director, this grant will help to build resilient rural communities by supporting planning that supports strategically repurposing facilities, creating dynamic spaces to address immediate needs and pave the way for increased economic diversification. Eligible entities include cities, counties, economic development organizations, and tribal entities, with funding up to $50,000 and a minimum 10% match. The grant timeline is Dec. 18 to Feb. 9.