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 U.S. Travel Association IPW 2022
Representatives from Commerce Tourism and Marketing traveled to Orlando earlier this month with other tourism representatives from North Dakota to connect with international travel leaders at the 2022 IPW. More than 5,000 people from 60 countries gathered at the travel industry's premier international marketplace and largest generator of travel to the United States.
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North Dakota is special! I knew it from the first time I came to the region seven and a half years ago. I didn’t know what was in store for me as I was managing a town and pursuing a graduate degree but there was something that told me this place was different. It is and will remain, one of the last places in the United States where people that work hard can get ahead. Frankly, North Dakota is the epitome of a meritocracy and that is why Alison and I decided to raise a family here. For the last 4 years, I have loved every moment at Commerce, whether serving as Director of Economic Development or Commissioner, the experience has been nothing short of amazing because I have had the opportunity to work on behalf of the best state in the union.
I was offered a chance to contribute the skills learned at Commerce, and pursue my dream, through implementing systems level peace building and development efforts to improve some of the world’s most violent and impoverished places. A position was created for me by the Institute for Economics and Peace, an international NGO, that will enable me to serve populations that need help the most. The long-term peace and security that we have come to expect in the United States to fulfill life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness should be enjoyed by all people. Peacebuilding is a step in the direction for societal shifts to create that fundamental right to others. I firmly believe that societies have amazing entrepreneurial and inherently innovative talents, however corruption, conflict, oppression, and violence prevent people from achieving their best. I hope to contribute to humanity’s well-being, one project at a time.
Although I will be moving on to my next chapter, I have agreed to remain in a part-time capacity because I believe in the success and continued progress in the state. This is not farewell- you are my neighbors, my fellow North Dakotans, and friends and it has been amazing serving you every day of the week. My final day as Commissioner of Commerce will be June 30, 2022, however I will continue to stay on to ensure we continue our amazing path forward. Shawn Kessel will be Interim Commissioner effective July 1.
Be Bold. Be Brief. Be Gone. -James
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Commerce announced today that the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program pre-application period is now open through Aug. 1.
The CDBG program provides financial assistance to eligible units of local governments in the form of grants and loans for public facilities, public services, housing rehabilitation, and economic development projects.
“Throughout the years, the CDBG has proven to be a vital tool in ensuring resiliency for residents and businesses in all communities across North Dakota,” Commerce Community Services CDBG Program Manager Tonya Forderer said.
The primary beneficiaries of CDBG funded projects must be very low- and low-income individuals. Examples of projects funded by the CDBG include:
- Housing – housing rehabilitation of very low- and low-income homeowner units and rental units within a particular area.
- Public facilities – water and sewer projects, removal of architectural barriers, fire halls, ambulances, etc.
- Economic development – cities and counties receive funds to loan and or grant to businesses which create jobs for low-income persons.
Eligible projects must also be consistent with at least one of the program’s national objectives:
- Benefit low- and moderate-income persons.
- Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight.
All applications must be submitted by email to dcs@nd.gov by 5 p.m. CT on Aug. 1. Please note that note that economic development pre-applications do not follow the same guidelines and can be submitted any time between July 1, 2022 – June 15, 2023. Details about dollar amounts, eligible projects, etc. can be found in the 2022 CDBG Program Distribution Statement.
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MarketWatch reporter Jon Swartz's writes article highlighting the state's economy
MarketWatch reporter Jon Swartz's article about his visit to the state in May was published earlier this month.
Swartz's visited with several businesses leaders in the Fargo and Grand Forks area during his time in North Dakota. He also connected with leaders from different areas of the state days leading to and after his visit.
The article highlights the state's booming economy and pipeline of projects, and also included North Dakota's reputation as a national and global hub for commercial drones, energy innovation and autonomous farming.
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US lifts COVID-19 test requirement for international travel
 The Biden administration announced the lifting of the pre-departure testing requirement for inbound air travelers to the U.S. on June 12—a major step forward in welcoming visitors from around the world and accelerating the recovery of the U.S. travel industry. The removal of this requirement will bring an additional 5.4 million international visitors to the U.S. and $9 billion in travel spending.
In meeting requested by Burgum, governor urges CBP commissioner to restore pre-pandemic hours at northern border crossings
In a recent video conference call Gov. Doug Burgum urged U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Chris Magnus to restore pre-pandemic hours of operation at several ports of entry on the U.S.-Canada border where hours were reduced in April 2020. The meeting followed a letter Burgum sent to Magnus and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in late April, in which Burgum noted that of the 10 U.S. ports of entry into North Dakota where hours were reduced. The letter came after CBP informed the state Tourism Division it had no plans to change the hours at any ports of entry in North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, Idaho or Washington. Burgum said the state also is open to exploring how technology can play a role in helping to keep border crossings open, especially in low population areas. Magnus indicated the CBP is open to dialogue on the crossing hours at the 310-mile border between North Dakota and Canada and has been actively assessing crossing traffic volumes.
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 5 reasons to use local media as ambassadors in destination marketing
Travelers are always looking for local insight and happily follow local blogs and social media accounts to see what the people in your destination think is cool and trending. Leverage your local media as ambassadors to help show travelers a more complete version of your destination – and to keep the entire community engaged and interested. Local tips, local tours, insider information, and quirky one-off experiences are what travelers seek.
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North Dakota's recommended "books to read" while traveling this summer
Dakota Attitude: Interviews from Every Town in North Dakota by James Puppe. He traveled through North Dakota and spoke with 617 people about their lives and documented their unique stories in this book.
The Round House by Louise Erdrich, a brilliant chronicler of Native American life. Her story takes place on an Ojibwa reservation in North Dakota and tells the story of a family and community nearly undone by violence.
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 RoleCall representatives are currently touring the state with Commerce's Workforce Division.
Round two of the immersion tour began this week in Medora and Dickinson. Other stops throughout the week will include Williston, Garrison, Minot, and Bismarck.
During the stops, the team held several roundtables to meet with local representatives and various industry leaders to learn more about the struggles and successes unique to each area.
While in Bismarck, RoleCall will be hosting a Community Champion Training for all individuals from across the state who will be assisting with the Find the Good Life initiative.
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