Tourism and Marketing
Burgum issues statement on lifting of U.S.-Canada border restrictions for nonessential travel
Gov. Doug Burgum released the following statement after the Biden administration announced it will begin lifting restrictions at the U.S.-Canada border in November to allow nonessential travelers who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to enter the United States via land and ferry. Canada reopened its border to vaccinated U.S. citizens for nonessential travel on Aug. 9.
“While this shift in policy unfortunately includes more needless delays, it is a positive and long overdue step toward ending the unnecessary restrictions that have caused real pain to our communities and citizens on both sides of the border as well as our retail and tourism businesses that rely on Canadian travelers,” Burgum said. “We will continue to press the Biden administration – as we have done repeatedly these past several months with our fellow border states and provinces – to lift these restrictions as soon as possible and resume normal travel with Canada, our closest friend, ally and trading partner.”
In preparation for the U.S. border re-opening to recreational travel, North Dakota Tourism is intensifying advertising and marketing efforts.
Additional digital advertising started on Oct.4, and new billboard, bus, social media and newspaper advertising will begin running Nov.1.
To date, North Dakota has lost more than 672,000 trips from Canada, which amounts to an approximate lost visitor spending of $197 million.
More than $7.5 million available to North Dakotans for weatherization, heating and cooling repair assistance
Commerce Community Services Division received more than $7.5 million in funding for weatherization, and energy furnace and cooling repair programs.
Community Services received $2,891,278 in funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program from the U.S. Department of Energy, $2 million in funding for weatherization from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and $3 million in funding for the LIHEAP Emergency Furnace and Cooling Repair and Replacement Program.
The combination of funding received is a 32% increase from the previous year.
“This year’s increase in funding will allow us to expand our ability to serve the residents of North Dakota,” Commerce Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Commissioner Shawn Kessel said. “Low-income homes spend a much higher percentage of their income on energy. Weatherizing and repairs to heating and cooling systems will allow saved dollars to be used for other necessities.”
Community Services contributed to a total of 611 weatherization, 1,215 emergency finance, and 337 cooling jobs from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
ED&F
North Dakota Development Fund approves $1.1 million for Q3 2021
Two companies were approved a total of $1.1 million in loan and venture funds through the North Dakota Development Fund (NDDF) during the third quarter of 2021.
“The North Dakota Development Fund continues to be an effective economic development tool for primary sector businesses in North Dakota,” Commerce Director of Economic Development and Finance Josh Teigen said. “The loan’s flexible financing options make it a viable resource that supports business startups and expansion projects that contribute to our economy and communities, while also providing a solid return of investment to our taxpayers.”
Third quarter of 2021 recipients:
- Lucit LLC, a software solutions company, received $600,000 in convertible debt for capital to assist with hiring employees.
- 701x Inc., an agricultural technology manufacturer in Fargo, received $500,000 in convertible debt for working capital to help the company complete their product development and commercialization.
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