News Archive

Access to a quality workforce is frequently ranked as the top concern for site selection decisions. Companies need to pull from a qualified talent pool to staff their operations, and hiring delays could hinder growth. The Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC  has prioritized workforce development as a key initiative for several...Continue Reading

Reentering society after incarceration presents a host of challenges, from securing stable housing and employment to accessing health care and recovery resources. In North Dakota, a robust partnership between multiple state agencies and community organizations is making a tangible difference in the lives of justice-involved individuals. Through collaboration between the...Continue Reading

North Dakota is taking a significant step forward in leveraging the power of data with the launch of the official North Dakota “State Data Hub”. This initiative, spearheaded by North Dakota Information Technology (NDIT), aims to enhance the use and impact of North Dakota data to support better citizen and...Continue Reading

North Dakota is a powerhouse of agriculture production. It is the top producer of cattle in the United States and leads the nation in the production of 13 commodities. While Bismarck-Mandan is one of the most populated regions of the state, it still plays a key role in agriculture. The...Continue Reading

The North Dakota Department of Commerce is helping communities across the state improve energy efficiency in public buildings through the Energy Conservation Grant (ECG) program, with a total of $1,168,199 awarded over the past biennium. This initiative provides funding to local governments for projects that reduce energy costs and promote...Continue Reading

Business owners, community leaders, and elected officials came together on Friday, March 14, for the Bismarck-Mandan Economic Development Corporation’s annual dinner. This event provides an invaluable opportunity for the EDC’s stakeholders to review the past year's efforts while aligning our goals for the future.“We are successful because of our community...Continue Reading

Companies across the United States are struggling to hire qualified employees, and businesses in Bismarck Mandan are no exception. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that workforce participation is still below pre-pandemic levels, with a decrease of two million people.The Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC has prioritized talent attraction and recruitment...Continue Reading

The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced today that a total of $420,176 of the State Energy Program grant funds were awarded to Lake Region State College’s (LRSC) Devils Lake Solar/Renewable Energy Initiative. The initiative is a collaboration between LRSC and NextEra Energy, expanding the college’s existing renewable energy program.“Lake...Continue Reading

The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced today that four companies were approved for a total of $3 million in funding in Q4 through the North Dakota Development Fund Inc. (NDDF).“The NDDF continues to play a pivotal role in advancing North Dakota’s economy by backing innovative projects and community-focused initiatives,”...Continue Reading

Gov. Kelly Armstrong today announced his support for legislation creating an incentive program to attract value-added agriculture projects to North Dakota.House Bill 1332, which had its hearing before the House Agriculture Committee today, authorizes a “value-added agriculture production facility incentive program” and provides up to $30 million for projects. Armstrong’s...Continue Reading

Statement from the Department of CommerceRecently, there have been questions posed about the mission, practices, and impact of the North Dakota Development Fund, Inc. (NDDF) and overall Department of Commerce related to economic development activity. We want to clarify the role of the NDDF and underscore its dedication to serving...Continue Reading

Bismarck-Mandan is experiencing rapid growth, but the New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) program can help all communities benefit from the increased interest in North Dakota. This financial tool is designed to support low-income, distressed, or under-resourced communities so they can receive sustainable support.“Our focus is on jobs and impact,” says...Continue Reading

Gov. Doug Burgum, state legislators and other members of the North Dakota Housing Initiative Advisory Committee today released the committee’s recommendations for addressing housing needs in North Dakota, with a three-pronged approach that focuses on improving housing availability, affordability and stability.Burgum appointed the committee to lead the development of a...Continue Reading

A community conversation forum on fair and affordable housing is scheduled to be hosted Thursday evening by the city of Bismarck's Human Relations Committee. The event is from 6-8-pm at the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library in meeting room A.Participants will get the opportunity to talk about topics surrounding fair and...Continue Reading

Manufacturing is an essential industry in North Dakota. More than 24,000 residents work in some form of manufacturing, accounting for 5.87% of the total workforce. In Bismarck-Mandan, manufacturing firms support several different sectors, including agriculture, food and beverage, energy, and equipment.“Several American industries wouldn’t be where they are today without...Continue Reading

Bismarck-Mandan and Greater North Dakota are served by Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway, which connects local businesses to 28 states, three Canadian provinces, and 40 different ports. With 32,500 miles of track, BNSF’s freight rail access is nearly endless and Bismarck-Mandan is located in the heart of its network.“BNSF...Continue Reading

Residents of Burleigh County and southern Sheridan County receive electricity from a leading cooperative in the region. Capital Electric Cooperative has supported rural North Dakota residents since 1948 and has expanded to provide electricity to 18,863 member-owners across 22,567 meters. Capital Electric boasts low utility rates, diverse power supplies, and...Continue Reading

Gov. Doug Burgum today joined local, state and federal officials and community members for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new North Dakota Soybean Processors plant near Casselton, lauding the project as part of an ongoing shift toward processing more of North Dakota’s raw farm commodities in the state.Construction on...Continue Reading

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum today welcomed the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) announcement that it has awarded Montana up to $700 million to enhance power grid capacity and reliability in Montana and North Dakota.The funds from the DOE’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program will support development of...Continue Reading

Tyler Demars, the Bismarck Center Director of the North Dakota Small Business Development Center, says you don’t need a detailed business plan or a clear financial picture of your business to meet with his team. He works with entrepreneurs who have exciting ideas for new businesses to help them make...Continue Reading

A recent survey of community health needs in the Bismarck region found concerns ranging from high housing prices to a relatively low number of mental health professionals.CHI St. Alexius Health, Sanford Health, Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health and western Plains Public Health work jointly on the assessment every three years, polling residents...Continue Reading

The North Dakota Department of Commerce Legacy Investment for Technology Loan Fund (LIFT) Committee announced it awarded a total of $1,500,000 in funding this month and exhausted its available funds. The program is not currently accepting applications.“We thank the committee members for their time serving on the LIFT Committee” said...Continue Reading

Bismarck Parks and Recreation has opened its BCycle program for the third season, and expanded it to include e-bikes.The Park District added 10 pedal-assisted e-bikes to the fleet with the help of a $10,000 grant from the Tom and Frances Leach Foundation, a Bismarck area charitable nonprofit. The new e-bikes,...Continue Reading

The North Dakota Department of Commerce is excited to announce the launch of the Candidate Marketplace, a groundbreaking new tool designed to connect employers with a pre-qualified pool of talent seeking relocation to North Dakota. This initiative is part of the Find the Good Life program, a comprehensive effort to...Continue Reading