Our strategic advantages deliver target industry success!
The Chamber EDC has identified three primary targets for our business attraction efforts - Value-added Agriculture, Value-added Energy and Equipment Manufacturing. Our economic development initiatives are tailored to these three areas as our region’s natural resources, workforce and transportation network combine to create strategic advantages for companies choosing to operate in the region.
Companies that call Bismarck-Mandan home include Cloverdale Foods Company, Dean Foods, Two Track Malting, M & W Beef Packers and multiple local craft brewers.
To learn more about Bismarck-Mandan’s competitive advantage, please view the detailed information for insight into our target industries.
Target Industries
Value-added Agriculture
Value-added Agriculture is an industry that is gaining momentum. The sector involves operations that physically change or enhance an agricultural product to expand the customer base typical for that product.
The Bismarck-Mandan region is in the heart of North Dakota’s agriculture sector. Burleigh and Morton Counties’ top crops in terms of acreage include wheat, corn for grain and sunflower seeds.
The region is routinely recognized for excellence, such as:
- Morton County ranks #1 in terms of annual beef and milk production
- North Dakota ranks #1 in the production of 10 different crops, including honey, spring wheat and durum wheat.
Learn more about agricultural production in Bismarck-Mandan through the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Census of Agriculture.
Food & Beverage Industry
As a primarily rural area with the benefits of modern urban transportation and technology infrastructure, the Bismarck-Mandan region is a natural choice for food and beverage processing ventures. The area’s exceptional transportation infrastructure is enhanced by a strategic location in Central North Dakota, providing processors easy access to markets across the upper Midwest.
The food and beverage industry comprises companies involved in producing, processing and sourcing food into the marketplace, including fresh, prepared and packaged foods and alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.
Other factors making the Bismarck-Mandan region an attractive location for companies in the food and beverage industry include:
- Ample utilities
- Reliable power
- Quality water
- A well-trained workforce with agriculture experience
- Agriculture/livestock sourcing in rural areas for potential farm-to-fork initiatives
Value-added Energy
North Dakota has become a national leader in a diverse range of energy resources. Known for its non-renewable energy resources like oil, gas and coal, North Dakota is quickly becoming a growing hub of wind, biofuel and by-product processing energy generation.
Central Location
The Bismarck-Mandan region’s central proximity to the state’s natural resources makes it an ideal location for businesses within the industry. Companies involved in support activities for all energy sector operations will find the centralized location beneficial in reaching all state regions. Bismarck-Mandan also features multiple regulatory agencies, making the area ideal for corporate, subsidiary or regional offices of companies operating in the state.
Developing Tomorrow’s Energy Workforce
Bismarck State College’s National Energy Center of Excellence (NECE) has received the U.S. Department of Energy Designation as a premier national power plant operations, technology and education center. It provides the Bismarck-Mandan region with a dedicated workforce trained in exceptional programs led by an industry-experienced faculty.
Energy Headquarters
Bismarck-Mandan has a well-established history of supporting the state’s energy sector as a location of corporate and regional offices, oil field support services, oil refining and power generation. The region features multiple large energy sector anchors, including Basin Electric Power Cooperative, MDU Resources Group, Marathon Petroleum, BNI Coal and North American Coal Corporation.
Equipment Manufacturing
The Bismarck-Mandan region and North Dakota have long been established centers for farm and construction equipment manufacturers. A skilled regional workforce, competitive manufacturing wages, low energy costs, strategic location and low unionization rates ensure Bismarck-Mandan is a top destination for manufacturing firms.
The region is currently home to manufacturers of building products, agriculture equipment & parts, construction equipment & parts and energy sector equipment. Doosan Bobcat operates a large manufacturing facility here, as do many small manufacturers, including those that provide parts to larger OEMs like Bobcat-Doosan, Titan Machinery and John Deere Electronic Solutions.
Skilled Workforce
The Bismarck-Mandan region has a skilled workforce with roots in the agriculture industry and educational partners that develop an occupational specialization in our workforce of tomorrow. Industry and education partnership is essential to training the future workforce and encouraging entry into regional technical trade careers. The Bismarck Public School Career Academy & Technical Center prepares students for technical careers in conjunction with Bismarck State College. Instruction is often customized to fit a company’s specific needs.
Strategic Location
Bismarck-Mandan is a natural logistical hub due to its ability to offer strategic access to markets across the upper Midwest from its location along Interstate-94 and U.S. Highway 83. Two Class-1 railroads - Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Canadian Pacific Rail - serve the region, and numerous daily flights to Minneapolis - St. Paul, Denver, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth and more.
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