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Commerce News | August 25 |
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 North Dakota Soybean Processors, LLC plant
Commerce Economic Development and Finance Director Josh Teigen joined in on the ground breaking of the North Dakota Soybean Processors, LLC plant near Casselton. Read more here.
 Community placemaking master class
Commerce Interim Commissioner Shawn Kessel recently spoke at a placemaking master class that was hosted by Commerce in partnership with AARP at the Bismarck Event Center.
 Baker Boy
Commerce's Innovation Technology Loan Fund (LIFT) team traveled to Dickinson to tour the Baker Boy manufacturing plant. Baker Boy President Guy Moos is a LIFT Committee member and invited the group to tour Baker Boy following the committee's in-person meeting in Medora. The tour allowed members time to get to know each other face-to-face and strategize as a group about the LIFT program.
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Commerce is encouraging all North Dakotans to submit photos that capture the unique things to see and do in North Dakota for the 2022 Governor’s Photo Contest, as the deadline for entry is soon approaching on Aug. 31.
Photographers can submit photos to one or more of the following categories: Road Trips, Recreation, Wildlife, Scenery, Festivals and Events, and Vibrant Communities.
The 2022 Governor’s Photo Contest rules can be viewed at https://belegendary.link/2022GovPhoto.
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Main Street Initiative team to visit Park River next week
Representatives of the Main Street Initiative (MSI) team from the North Dakota Department of Commerce and other state agencies will host a Main Street Visit on Aug. 30 at Park River City Hall.
The visit will begin with a collaborative discussion with community leaders about Park River opportunities and growth with the state team.
Following the collaborative discussion, the visit will transition to a public regional lunch and convening at 12 p.m. At the convening, Commerce Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howe will lead an informative presentation about Commerce’s workforce initiatives. Following the presentation, the convening will conclude with a collaborative community roundtable discussion.
“Workforce continues to be at the forefront of common community concerns that we are all working together to address,” Interim Commerce Commissioner Shawn Kessel said. “We hope that by providing an in-depth presentation about workforce initiatives, we can answer many questions, provide advice, and showcase the many resources available for communities to use to help reach their workforce needs.”
For questions about the visit, contact Commerce Community Development Liaison Emma Cook at (701) 226-6091.
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Commerce and EDND hosts Developer Day
 Commerce and the Economic Development Association of North Dakota (EDND) hosted the annual Developer Day in Bismarck on Tuesday, August 23, 2022. Commerce, the EDND team and partners met with attendees to discuss their needs and interests and how various programs and services may help their efforts.
Developers disused several current major projects that are underway. A detailed discussion was held on the plan to build out several industrial parks/clusters across the State. The synergy of these parks would provide overall lower costs for each industry business by allowing major infrastructure to be shared. Steps that local developers and municipal leaders can take to help these projects progress were presented.
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 Reminder to update your NDtourism.com listings for the 2023 Travel Guide and more
At North Dakota Tourism and Marketing we are currently planning for the new 2023 Travel Guide - which means it is imperative that all tourism experience providers log into the Partner Portal now to update and enhance your listings and amenities. These listings are used not only for the printed guide, but everyday by our staff for travel counseling, media releases and social media promotions.
To log in to your Partner Portal account visit https://partners.ndtourism.com/login. Once you have logged in you can make any additional changes and updates to your listing, add photos, amenities and more! It is important that you add/update your amenities through the “Amenities” section of the Portal. This information helps visitors looking for specific amenities at attractions, experiences and lodging, to find them.
Don’t miss this free opportunity to attract more visitors! All business entries and updates must be entered by Aug. 31, 2022, to be included in print materials, including the 2023 travel guide. If you need assistance, or have any questions, please contact Amy Schmidt at amrschmidt@nd.gov or by calling 701-328-5315.
Policy Resolution 2022-12, Recreation and Tourism on Public Lands approved
The Western Governors’ Association recently approved several policies at their annual meeting. The policy on management of recreation and tourism on public lands conveys the Governors’ support public access and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities while protecting ecological, economic, and cultural resources. The resolution recommends actions the federal government should take to ensure that federal land management agencies have the resources needed to accommodate increased visitation, improve visitor experience, support local economies, and maintain public lands for multiple uses.
 Tourism and Marketing staff participate in ESTO conference
Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) is the premier annual learning and knowledge-sharing forum for destination marketing professionals.
Group Travel Marketing Manager Deanne Cunningham, Global Marketing Manager Fred Walker and Digital Systems Manager Tricia Miller joined more than 1,000 travel leaders from across the country in Grand Rapids, MI for a three-day opportunity to network, share best practices, discuss issues and explore emerging trends and tools as the travel industry continues to build its recovery. ESTO attracts the nation’s top industry CEO’s and marketing leaders at the city, regional and state levels. With a combination of large-scale keynote presentations and breakout sessions, ESTO featured dynamic speakers who presented content that informed and inspired.
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 NPS seeks public input on NPS plan to revitalize facilities, improve infrastructure, and help preserve Theodore Roosevelt’s life and legacy
Members of the public are invited to review and submit comments on the Theodore Roosevelt National Park Facility Revitalization Plan (Plan) and Environmental Assessment (EA). The plan assesses potential improvements at developed areas of the park including Painted Canyon, South Unit in Medora, North Unit, Peaceful Valley Ranch, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. Your input is important and will help shape potential improvements at Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
The public comment period began Aug. 16 and will conclude on Thursday, Sept. 14. Please provide comments online here or by mail, addressed to:
Superintendent
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
PO Box 7
Medora, ND 58645
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 Join Destination Analysts for their upcoming State of the American Traveler webinar
Dive into fall with a fresh perspective on American travel sentiment. Please join Destination Analysts on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. CST for their next free industry webinar, where they will present results from the travel industry's most respected traveler opinion survey, The State of The American Traveler. This month they will explore how travelers are feeling about:
- Pocketbook issues threatening travel demand.
- Plans for fall and winter travel.
- The likely impacts of this summer's chaotic air service crisis.
- The lingering effects of the COVID pandemic on travel behavior.
- Hospitality employee opinions on why they left their jobs during the pandemic, and why they will or won't return.
As a bonus, in the last half of the webinar they will host a live focus group of travelers discussing these issues.
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Tourism Marketing Summit - Oct. 6, Bismarck
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