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Main Street Visits showcase what makes every North Dakota community uniquely vibrant. On July 11, multiple representatives from North Dakota Commerce and other state agencies visited Harvey. They explored Hwy 91 (North Dakota's shortest highway), visited downtown shops, had productive discussions with the community and a great turnout of community leaders.
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Registration is FREE for the 2023 Main Street ND Summit - reserve your spot today
The Main Street ND Summit provides an opportunity to connect, learn, get inspired and gain insight to build and grow your community for the future. This year's event theme is innovative workforce solutions. The summit is free and features nationally renowned keynote speakers and hands-on workshops that will provide you with the tools to attract and retain the next generation of North Dakota’s workforce. You won't want to miss Eric Termuende, a best-selling author, internationally recognized thought leader, and keynote speaker on all things future of work, leadership, workplace culture and talent management, as he presents on "Building Tomorrow’s Greatest Places to Work."
We would like to thank all of the Main Street ND Summit sponsors who help make this event possible! Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available - learn more and sign up to be a sponsor here.
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 Nominations for the 2023 Governor's Main Street ND Awards are now open
Help us recognize communities and organizations that have shown excellence in the principles of the Main Street ND Initiative by actively working to differentiate and enhance the quality of life for both current and future residents. The application closes on Sept. 15.
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Free Work-Based Learning as a Talent Pipeline webinar
This work-based learning webinar is sponsored by Job Service and takes place on Tuesday, July 18 from 1:30pm to 3:00pm CT. The State of North Dakota is excited to offer this webinar packed with information to help your organization learn more about work-based learning. We will cover the criticality of this often-under-utilized pipeline to supplement your talent strategy, provide you with information to navigate the legal regulations and mitigate risk, and provide a demonstration of the Work-Based Learning module to connect you with learners.
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Free Multi-State Placemaking Best Practices workshop
The Department of Commerce invites communities to participate in a free Multi-State Placemaking Best Practices Exchange workshop on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at 2pm; and Thursday, Aug. 3, 7:30am to 5pm CT in Minot. Community-driven placemaking plays a key role in creating healthy, prosperous communities where people want to live, work, play, and learn. To support this notion, this workshop aims to showcase effective placemaking approaches for communities, introduce attendees to placemaking resources and tools, and connect with placemaking experts from other states.
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 Commerce staff present at NASEO and tour Falkirk
North Dakota hosted the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) Central Regional Meeting on June 26 in Bismarck. Economic Development and Finance Director Rich Garman and Community Services Director Maria Effertz presented at the event. State Energy Officials also toured the Falkirk Mine that continues to be a leader in developing clean, efficient and environmentally friendly coal technologies.
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NDDF approves $865,500 for Q2 2023
The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced that four businesses were approved for $865,500 in loan and venture funds through the North Dakota Development Fund, Inc. (NDDF) during the second quarter of 2023. Second quarter recipients are:
- Sheyenne Learning Academy Inc. in West Fargo received $50,000.
- Chapul Farms ND One LLC received $592,500.
- Explorer's Academy Horace LLC in Horace received $100,000.
- The Gingerbread House Learning Center LLC in West Fargo received two loans of $61,500 for two existing child care locations.
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AMP makes new investments in tech businesses
NDDF has finalized three new investments through its Angel Match Program (AMP).
- Medobby Corporation, dba Learnery, a Bismarck-based digital software company.
- Preferred Partner Community LLC, a West Fargo-based technology company.
- WalkWise, Inc., a Fargo-based technology company.
The NDDF launched the AMP to support early-stage primary sector North Dakota businesses by matching investor commitments up to $250,000 per business.
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Grants available for North Dakota tourism destination development
The North Dakota Department of Commerce invites statewide tourism attractions and destinations to apply for the Destination Development Grant Program. The grant portal is open for applications through Aug. 31, 2023. The grant is a competitive grant program which aims to provide financial support to develop new or expanded tourism experiences and attractions increasing unique experiences to attract new visitors to our state for longer stays. The grant program seeks anchor tourism attraction projects that will assist in spurring and supporting secondary attractions within the state.
Funds are intended to move a project toward completion rather than for preliminary planning. Grant requests up to $5,000,000 will be considered and applicants must identify a match to any requested funds.
National Sunflower Day established
The National Sunflower Association and North Dakota Tourism introduced the idea to create National Sunflower Day in 2022. After forming a partnership, National Sunflower Day becomes reality in 2023.
The first Saturday in August each year will be dedicated to spreading joy about the happiest flower on earth during National Sunflower Day. This collaboration is a special to effort help spread the word about the agricultural giant North Dakota is in growing sunflowers, and especially to promote happiness.
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Upcoming Travel Industry Chats
Mark your calendars for these upcoming Travel Industry Chats, all are welcome to participate!
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Save the date for the ND Travel Industry Summit Oct. 5
North Dakota Tourism will present the 2024 media plan, research and insights, cooperative programs and more at the ND Travel Industry Marketing Summit on Oct. 5, 2023, in Bismarck. All travel and tourism business, agencies and organizations are invited to attend this free event. Agenda and registration coming soon!
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U.S. Road Trips 2023 Edition webinar
Join Longwoods International and Miles Partnership on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2pm CT for an exclusive snapshot of U.S. domestic road trips and the latest traveler sentiment. They will explore travelers’ behaviors and interests, with a special focus on the use of electric vehicles in road trips across the states this coming year.
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Sara Michael joined the Workforce team as the Talent Attraction Specialist on July 6. Fun fact: Sara chose North Dakota as her home after first coming to the state for an internship in Medora in 2014! Sara’s professional and personal experience will make her the perfect resource for jobseekers and their families as they find their way to North Dakota. Sara Michael is originally from Lexington, Kentucky and a graduate of High Point University in High Point, NC.
"Throughout my career at the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, I have held a variety of roles, including overseeing our Lodging Properties and managing groups and events in our Group Sales Department. I left Medora a few years back for a brief time in hotel sales in Downtown Minneapolis before returning home to Medora and taking on my most recent role in Talent Acquisition where I manage the hiring process for our 300+ seasonal employees from around the world. I now live in Pick City at Lake Sakakawea State Park with my finance Eric and our dog Tikka. I am so excited to start with the Commerce Team and look forward to getting to work with individuals and families who hope to Find the Good Life in North Dakota just like I did!"
~ Sara Michael
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Paige Kuntz (formerly Maxon) joined the Workforce team, in the Office of Legal Immigration, as a Global Talent Coordinator on July 6. Paige comes to Commerce from the private manufacturing sector, with a diverse workforce background. She has resided in the Dakotas all her life and is happy to call it “home” despite her love of travel. Fun fact: Paige enjoys gardening and canning – has recently been exploring making jam and jelly.
“In my past roles, I was able to make connections with individuals from all walks of life, and all corners of the globe. That had been my favorite, and surely one of the most rewarding parts of my job – building relationships with people that I would have never had the privilege of knowing if it weren’t for Cloverdale. I look forward to continuing to build meaningful connections with people in all my future work opportunities."
~ Paige Kuntz
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 Commerce team visits Turtle Mountain area
Economic Development & Finance (ED&F) staff, as well as other Commerce team members were in Dunseith/Belcourt July 12-13 for the purpose of meeting with the community, attending the Hoefer RV ribbon cutting (a NDDF portfolio company) and various tribal engagement opportunities.
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