|
 Thales visit to the Capitol
Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller and Commerce Commissioner Josh Teigen met with the Thales executive team to discuss the future of the autonomy industry in North Dakota.
 Leadership Bismarck-Mandan Group
Commerce Community Development Manager Tracey Miller presented to the Leadership Bismarck-Mandan Group at Cloverdale about the importance of community development and how it directly affects economic development.
|
|
|
Gov. Doug Burgum signed his first bill of the 2023 legislative session, providing a $68 million line of credit to help finance the construction of 13 planned career academies across the state where students can pursue high-demand careers in the trades, health care, technology and other sectors to help meet workforce needs.
During a special session of the Legislature in November 2021, lawmakers approved $88 million for career academies, including $20 million in state funds that have already been distributed and $68 million from the U.S. Treasury’s Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund. The State Board for Career and Technical Education awarded the $68 million to 13 career academy projects, which require a local dollar-for-dollar match, and several communities have already raised their matching funds. However, Treasury has yet to release the federal dollars, due to debate over funding criteria.
House Bill 1199 provides for a line of credit through the Bank of North Dakota (BND) to fulfill the state’s funding obligation for the career academies. If it’s later determined that the federal funding can’t be used for the career academies, a deficiency appropriation will be sought from the Legislature and the $68 million in federal funding will be redirected for other eligible uses.
North Dakota Senate passes bill to update Renaissance Zone program
Proposed changes to North Dakota's Renaissance Zone community development program cleared the state Senate on Monday, a bill in line with a plea from Gov. Doug Burgum to the Legislature last month.
Senate Bill 2391, brought by Sen. Jonathan Sickler, R-Grand Forks, passed in a 40-5 vote. The bill now goes to the state House of Representatives.
The 1999 Legislature created the Renaissance Zone Program; 62 communities have joined since, with 54 of them active. More than 1,500 projects have been completed under the program.
Legislative updates and recordings of testimony can be found at commerce.nd.gov
Burgum urges National Park Service to maintain herd of wild horses at TRNP
Gov. Doug Burgum met today with U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior (DOI) Tommy Beaudreau and National Parks Service (NPS) Director Charles Sams to discuss a variety of North Dakota-related issues including the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, Painted Canyon, water supply project funding, oil and gas development on federal lands and the state’s recent offer to help the NPS manage the herd of wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Among the topics discussed were Burgum’s recent letter to Sams urging the NPS to maintain the herd of wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP), noting its significance to tourism, the local economy and the history of the park and its namesake.
|
 On Jan. 31, Burgum was joined by tourism officials, state legislators and other stakeholders during a press conference at the Capitol to discuss the NPS’s preferred plan for managing the wild horses.
“For decades upon decades, these horses have coexisted peacefully with the national park and, in the process, have become a hugely popular attraction and an indelible symbol of the untamed character of the Badlands,” Burgum stated in his letter, adding that the wild horses “are a major tourist attraction treasured by hundreds of thousands of visitors and social media followers from near and far. Removing these horses from the park, or reducing the herd size to a level that fails to support genetic diversity and longevity, would strike a blow not only to park visitation but also to the economic vitality of Medora, nearby communities including Dickinson, and our entire state.”
Following the press conference, Burgum had a phone call with Beaudreau and Sams to discuss the state’s interest in keeping the horses, the potential for improving the Painted Canyon Visitors Center, among other critical issues DOI and NPS works with that impact the state.
Commerce Tourism and Marketing Director Sara Otte Coleman stated, “Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a top location for leisure travelers visiting North Dakota. The park has seen an average of 700,000 visitors over the last five years. While TRNP has many things that sets it apart from other western parks, one feature often commented on is the freely roaming bands of horses. Our research has shown that visiting a national or state park is the top motivator of marketable trips to North Dakota. We love to tout the uncrowded adventure visitors can enjoy in all three units of TRNP. Based on the outpouring of comments our office has received park visitors highly value seeing the horses as part of their unique park experience.”
|
|
MSI Community Chat: Workforce Housing and Community Investment
Join the Main Street Initiative team on Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. to hear from local experts on resources and solutions that can lead to creative solutions to assist in tackling the workforce housing issues to attract new residents to your community.
|
|
|
The Innovation Technology Loan Fund (LIFT) Committee awarded a total of $1.25 million to two companies for the month of January, and exhausted the fund balance this biennium.
“We thank the LIFT Committee members for their service on the committee as well as the LIFT awardees for their contribution to the North Dakota economy,” Commerce Head of Investments and Innovation Shayden Akason said. “Since the program’s inception, we have awarded over $32 million to 38 companies, which include both North Dakota companies as well as companies outside of North Dakota which have shown a commitment to establishing operations in the state. Commerce is advocating for an additional appropriation from the legislature for the 2023-25 biennium. If funds are appropriated, Commerce will open the LIFT application portal in June 2023.”
January LIFT recipients include:
Fenworks, a Grand Forks business offering a software platform to host esports for K-12 schools was awarded $500,000.
FlowCore Systems, a Williston-based chemical injection automation company with precise fluid measurement technology for the oil and gas industry was awarded $750,000.
|
|
DHS denies request to remove COVID-19 vaccination requirement at border
On Nov. 14, 2022, Director of Tourism and Marketing Sara Otte Coleman sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Chris Magnus requesting the removal of COVID-19 vaccination requirements at ports of entry in North Dakota. The letter states that the vaccination requirement dramatically impacts North Dakota tourism, businesses and activities relying on Canadian visitors to sustain their success and that the lost Canadian visitor spending due to the pandemic and border restrictions is estimated at $307,110,446.
This request was denied yesterday, by the DHS stating: “DHS is temporarily restricting travel by noncitizen, non-lawful permanent residents into the United States at land ports of entry along the United States-Canada border by requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination upon request at arrival. This requirement closely tracks the broader travel requirement issued in an Oct. 25, 2021, presidential proclamation requiring most noncitizens seeking to enter the United States by air travel to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. DHS is monitoring conditions related to this requirement and is working with the Administration on any future changes to this vaccination requirement. Such changes will be tied to the President’s proclamation to maintain a uniform requirement across modes of transportation. We will communicate any future changes with you as they become available.”
Travel Industry Conference to feature an inspiring agenda with renowned speakers, professional development, networking and more
 Join us for the 2023 North Dakota Travel Industry Conference which kicks off with an opening reception and social on Monday, Apr. 3 at CraftCade, Bismarck's very own pizzeria and retro arcade with craft brews and cocktails.
Tuesday, Apr. 4 is Wear Your Logo Day, with registration opening at 7:45 a.m. Eric Termuende, a globally recognized thought leader, bestselling author, and speaker, kicks off the conference with “Blueprint to the Future: Leading in a New World of Work,” followed by breakout sessions and an Industry Luncheon. After which Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Melissa Cherry will lead a session full of insights on how organizations can implement strategies to operationalize diversity equity and inclusion within their company culture. Quick and lively Pecha Kucha presentations will finish out the day.
Wednesday, Apr. 5 consists of two general sessions, “Charged Leadership: Uncover the Power of YOU and North Dakota” where keynote speaker Kristen Brown on how to unlock the energy elements that magnetize people to you and your ideas, and Ed O’Keefe, CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation, will share updates and the vision and plans for this impactful project. There will be a breakout session followed by a special Governor's Awards Luncheon presentation honoring the awardees and leaders in travel and tourism. Be sure to nominate a deserving individual, community, group or visitor experience today - nominations are due by Feb. 28!
Early bird registration of $200 per person ends on Feb. 28. If you register before Feb. 15, you will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $50 North Dakota Be Legendary merchandise gift certificate. Scholarships are also available until Feb 28. After March 1, registration fees increase to $250 per person.
|
|
 Excitement to return to North Dakota expressed at ABA Marketplace
Tourism Sales and Services Manager Deanne Cunningham traveled to Michigan for the American Bus Association (ABA) Marketplace which is an appointment-based show for motorcoach and tour operators and travel industry suppliers who want to expand group tours and travel business using innovative methods and technologies for a more individualistic experience, resulting in the greatest ROI in the group travel industry.
While there Deanne participated in 28 appointments with seven confirmed for 2023, six confirmed 2024 and three that are looking at 2026 for the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library opening. Comments were expressed that there was excitement to return to North Dakota.
|
 Destination Analysts present webinar on travel survey findings
The State of the American Traveler Survey Findings webinar will take place on Mar. 8, 2023 at 10 a.m. CST.
Gain unique insight into how traveling consumers are thinking and feeling as they continue to navigate challenges such as inflation and economic uncertainty amidst a strong demand for travel. Register for this free webinar to hear exclusive findings from the travel industry's most trusted travel sentiment research.
|
|
|
|
|
