Commerce News | Oct 2
Join us for the 2024 Travel Industry Marketing Summit on October 9 at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, where Gov. Burgum will give closing remarks.
This FREE event is a must-attend for all travel and tourism businesses and organizations, featuring the 2025 Media Plan, research insights, cooperative programs, and a networking lunch.
Key highlights:
- Building a Statewide Industry Partnership
- Increasing Length of Stay
- 2025 Media Plan and Co-op Plan
Don’t miss the chance to hear from the Governor and gain valuable insights to strengthen your business and North Dakota's tourism industry!
We’re excited to congratulate Fred Walker, Tourism Global Marketing Manager, on receiving this year’s Heritage Award at the North Dakota Governor’s Awards for Public Service. Walker's leadership in Native American tourism has set a national standard, with North Dakota showcased at major events worldwide. Reflecting on this achievement, Walker shared his gratitude and pride in the collective effort behind his success.
"I’m incredibly humbled by this recognition. Everything I do is truly a team effort—I never do it alone. I want to thank our tourism team, our partners who embrace new ideas, and my family, who’ve supported me through nearly a million miles of travel.
Being honored in front of so many hardworking state employees left me speechless, which rarely happens! I’m just a small-town Class B kid from Highway 18 and everything I am comes from growing up here. I’ve traveled the world, but North Dakota is home, and I’m proud to be part of this community."
Commerce's Division of Community Services (DCS) team, including Anya Hondel, Maria Effertz Hanson, and Nicolette Daschendorf, attended the Wishek JDA's "Let's Brag About Wishek!" event, which was held alongside their annual planning meeting. The gathering featured a Main Street Visit that included a community bus tour and roundtable discussion. Led by Cleo Boschee, the tour showcased local businesses and the revitalized Frolicking Friends Daycare, completed through the Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP). Attendees enjoyed a traditional German meal at the Wishek Civic Center, followed by a community update from Becky Thatcher-Keller on the city’s comprehensive plan and upcoming NDDOT developments. A roundtable discussion, facilitated by local leaders, addressed housing, workforce recruitment, and revitalization efforts. The event concluded with Mayor Brenda Dohn signing the Main Street Proclamation, committing Wishek as a Main Street Champion Community.
The Brazil Consul General Office in Chicago recently celebrated Brazilian National Day at the Chicago Cultural Center, attended by dignitaries and community leaders, including Commerce's COO/Deputy Commerce Commissioner Shawn Kessel. The event highlighted the strong ties between Brazil and the United States in commerce and culture, featuring live music and authentic Brazilian cuisine. The celebration served as a vital reminder of the contributions of the Brazilian community and the need for ongoing collaboration between nations.
The Commerce Tourism team recently joined the festivities at Norsk Høstfest, the largest Scandinavian festival in North America. Over four days, they shared North Dakota’s legendary stories with attendees at the North Dakota State Fair Center. Visitors enjoyed traditional Norwegian foods like lutefisk and lefse, alongside handcrafted goods from vendors who’ve been part of the festival for years. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate both Scandinavian heritage and the best of what North Dakota has to offer to encourage and extend more trips.
Last week, Commerce's Economic Development & Finance Director Rich Garman spoke at two key events in Bismarck: the Lignite Energy Council Annual Meeting and the Faces of Manufacturing luncheon.
At the Lignite Energy Council meeting, Garman highlighted the vital role of Commerce in shaping the future of the lignite industry, emphasizing innovative strategies and stakeholder collaboration to enhance North Dakota’s energy landscape.
During the Faces of Manufacturing luncheon, he underscored the manufacturing sector's significant contributions to the state’s economy, stressing the need for innovation and collaboration among industry leaders to support its growth and impact on local communities.
These events highlighted the importance of engagement and collaboration among stakeholders in driving North Dakota’s economic future.
Commerce's Workforce Development Director Katie Ralston Howe spoke at the inaugural Workforce Summit hosted by the Minot Area Chamber EDC on Tuesday. The event brought together business and civic leaders at the Minot Area Workforce Academy to address the challenges currently facing the workforce. Featured speakers discussed critical issues, including the need for childcare for working parents, resources for military spouses, and strategies for filling applicant pools. Despite the challenges, Howe highlighted that the workforce sector is making strides toward improvement, providing attendees with valuable insights into workforce resources and state programs.
 Photo: JLG Architects
Commerce is excited to share that the Devils Lake Regional Airport recently celebrated the grand opening of its newly remodeled terminal. The project involved a significant expansion and upgrade of the airport's facilities.
The terminal features a state-of-the-art jet bridge, larger passenger waiting areas, additional restrooms, vending machines, and nursing/changing rooms. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) area has also been expanded to accommodate modern screening technology.
Beyond the terminal, the airport has made several other improvements, including:
- Reconstructed General Aviation Apron: Addressing safety concerns and improving infrastructure for general aviation aircraft.
- Extended Runway: Accommodating larger commercial aircraft, paving the way for potential future growth in commercial air service.
These enhancements demonstrate Devils Lake's commitment to providing a top-notch travel experience for both residents and visitors alike. With the new terminal and other improvements, the airport is well-positioned for continued growth and development in the years to come.
Commerce Deputy Commissioner Shawn Kessel put the spotlight on the North Dakota Housing Initiative at the North Dakota Planning Association’s Annual Conference on September 18 in Grand Forks. Before an audience of community planning and zoning professionals, Kessel outlined the initiative to help shape and refine the state’s approach to addressing housing as a key workforce issue. Kessel is a member of the ND Housing Initiative Advisory Committee, which aims to champion opportunities to remove housing as a barrier to continued economic growth. The event was held in conjunction with the North Dakota League of Cities Annual Conference.
Free 2024 North Dakota Travel Guides & Hunting/Fishing Guides are still available! These guides are packed with info to help visitors explore more & extend their stay in our beautiful state this fall. Contact Deanne Cunningham to have cases of Travel Guides, Hunting & Fishing Guides, and maps sent free-of-charge TODAY!
Commerce Economic Development and Finance Deputy Commissioner Shayden Akason participated in the 2024 North Dakota Retirement and Investment Office's (RIO) inaugural investment seminar, "Optimizing Returns for North Dakota's Future."
The seminar offered attendees a deep dive into North Dakota's investment strategies and the broader economic landscape. Through engaging keynotes and panel discussions, participants gained valuable insights into market trends, regulations, and RIO's innovative investment approaches.
Akason's participation showcased Commerce's commitment to supporting the state's economic growth and financial stability.
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