Commerce News | March 6
Commerce Commissioner Josh Teigen and Commerce Community Services Director Maria Effertz joined Lt. Governor Miller at the State of the Region - Region 8 meetings in Bowman. The event focused on understanding the unique challenges faced by rural communities and finding solutions through collaboration.
Teigen and Effertz discussed the creation of the Office of Community Development & Rural Prosperity within Commerce. He answered questions and shared details about the office's initiatives, emphasizing its commitment to working with local communities to build a stronger and more prosperous rural North Dakota.
 Just a month away! The North Dakota Travel Industry Conference boasts an impressive lineup of industry leaders:
- Humor meets travel insights with comedian and author James Robilotta.
- Make travel accessible for all with travel expert Justin Farmer.
- Master financial strategies for success with travel industry veteran Julie Hart.
- Unlock the power of AI marketing with destination marketing leader Janette Roush.
This is just a taste of the actionable sessions and networking opportunities available. Don't miss your chance to elevate your travel business!
Applications are now open for the Rural Slum and Blight Removal Grant! This program is crucial for improving the lives of North Dakotans by:
- Increasing the availability of safe and attractive housing in rural areas.
- Enhancing the overall quality and safety of communities by removing blighted properties.
- Encouraging collaboration and revitalization efforts across local organizations, businesses, and government entities.
If you are a non-profit organization or local government in a rural community (under 10,000 population), we encourage you to apply for this grant by April 18th, 2024. Funding is available up to $300,000 per community to help address dilapidated and blighted properties, leading to stronger and more vibrant rural communities across North Dakota.
Commerce Tourism & Marketing Director Sara Otte Coleman presented a general session at the Wyoming Hospitality and Tourism Conference in Cheyenne last week. In her session, she shared how North Dakota’s focus on family travel has yielded strong results. Research on past travelers to North Dakota who were planning additional trips cited 70% were excited to travel with their nuclear family- which was 10% above the second motivator. Marketing metrics show content targeted to family travelers performed the highest in awareness and engagement. Attendees also learned about how in North Dakota, our work to support family travels through trip planning assistance and the development of new attractions to meet family travel needs as well as retain and attract new families to live in North Dakota.
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