Canadian Energy CEO Conference
Commerce Commissioner James Leiman recently attended the 70th annual Canadian Energy CEO Conference to discuss groundwork for major prosperity. North Dakota shares a lot in common with Alberta, and regional innovation initiatives will continue to result in energy growth for North Dakota and Alberta to ensure North American energy security. Pictured are Commissioner Leiman and Minister of Energy Sonya Savage.
 Japanese business delegation discuss trade opportunities with state leadership
Commissioner Leiman spoke to members of a Japanese business delegation in Bismarck focusing on partnerships that will move the North Dakota carbon neutrality goal forward in North Dakota. The event was organized by the North Dakota Trade Office and Commerce.
 LIFT Committee awards $1.25 million in funding for August
The Innovation Technology Loan Fund (LIFT) Committee awarded $1.25 million to two North Dakota businesses for the month of August.
“Technology advancement is increasing across North Dakota,” Commerce Head of Investments and Innovation Shayden Akason said. “The LIFT Committee is excited to begin its work to deploy the $15 million in funding appropriated by the 67th Legislative Assembly.”
August LIFT recipients include:
701x, a Fargo agriculture technology company, was awarded $750,000 to further develop a GPS-enabled ear tag that allows ranchers to remotely access records, track locations, monitor movement, and receive alerts about their cattle.
WeClean Local, a Bismarck tech-based and community-driven cleaning service that is redefining the cleaning industry, was awarded $500,000 for software development.
COVID-19 Vaccine: What Employers Should Know
Join us Sept. 23 with a panel of speakers will share best practices, guidance, and advice for HR professionals and businesses regarding the COVID-19 vaccination
Commerce and the Department of Health will be presenting an expert panel focused on providing HR leaders and business owners vital, accurate information and advice on COVID-19 vaccinations, including best practices for legalities surrounding employment vaccine requirements and incentivizing vaccines in the workplace, the current state of vaccinations in the state of North Dakota, vaccine safety and efficiency, and the connection between healthy workplaces and economic vitality. This panel will include a discussion on these topics as well as a question & answer session with the experts on the panel.
 Submit your application for the Technical Skills Training Grant before time runs out
Commerce is still accepting applications for the Technical Skills Training Grant.
The grant is designed to support eligible training providers in their efforts to design rapid, non-degree re-skilling programs, expand capacity in existing programs, and/or move training to virtual platforms in order to train displaced workers who will be re-entering the job market and those wishing to make a career change.
New and existing programs that are underway and began after March 1, 2020 may qualify for this grant in order to increase capacity and offset operation and participation expenses. The CRF requires that payments be used only to cover costs that were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020.
Eligible applicants include North Dakota colleges and universities (for non-degree programs), business, non-profit organizations, and/or trades organizations/associations in North Dakota. Internal training programs for incumbent workers are not eligible for this grant.
Find the best places to mountain bike in North Dakota!
The popularity of mountain biking in North Dakota is no surprise. The state offers plenty of space, a variety of trails for all skill levels, and no crowds. Mountain biking in North Dakota has earned its reputation for great rides on trails you are likely to have all to yourself.
In response to the growing popularity of this sport/recreational activity, ND Tourism has a campaign promoting all the wonderful opportunities North Dakota has for all those who are looking for a one-of-a-kind adventure on two wheels and no motor!
As part of the campaign, NDtourism.com offers an easy-to-follow guide for the best places to mountain bike in North Dakota.
 Q2-2021 Tourism Report shows steady growth in several measurables
 The North Dakota Tourism Q2-2021 Report was recently released and can be accessed on the Tourism Industry page. Some key findings include:
Q2 statewide updates
- North Dakota’s hotel occupancy saw continued recovery in Q2, meeting statewide occupancy numbers seen in 2016.
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park visitation tracked 78% higher than a year ago with June seeing the park’s highest ever recreation visits for that month (150,232).
- North Dakota’s ports-of-entry recorded just 27,330 personal vehicles from Canada through Q2 (YTD), roughly 10% of normal. To date, North Dakota has lost approximately 672,000 trips from Canada.
- Visitor interest, as indicated by website traffic, remained high at 31.58% higher than 2020’s record traffic year.
Q2 marketing efforts
- North Dakota’s combined paid marketing and public relations efforts have led to a 30% increase in organic traffic to NDtourism.com.
- During Q2, more than 139 million ad impressions were served, the largest of which was in digital advertising. Those efforts generated more than 200,000 click-throughs to the website and have been associated with 2,916 arrivals YTD.
- Out-of-home advertising can be seen on buses and trains in the Minneapolis-St. Paul and Chicago markets. As travel and commuting increased, this effort generated 42 million impressions in Q2.
- North Dakota advertising was present in 19 U.S. publications with a circulation of 5.3 million.
The 2021 Main Street ND Summit is almost a month away
Join us in West Fargo on Oct. 11 for a free pre-summit event and Oct. 12 for a full day of education and enthusiasm to keep North Dakota thriving. Registration is only $50 for a full day. In-person is limited to 450 people and virtual is unlimited.
Upcoming events
IPW – Sept. 18-22 in Las Vegas, Nevada
Tourism Summit – Oct. 26 in Bismarck
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