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 State leaders visit Spirit Lake Nation
Gov. Kelly Armstrong, Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden, Cabinet leaders, Commerce leaders and other state officials met with Chairwoman Lonna Jackson-Street, legislators and tribal leaders at Spirit Lake Nation to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the tribe and state. The visit is part of Armstrong’s commitment to strengthen state-tribal partnerships and meet with all five tribal nations in North Dakota during his first year in office. Armstrong and Jackson-Street reaffirmed a mutual aid agreement first signed in 2022, allowing the closest available peace officer to respond to emergencies until the agency with jurisdiction arrives.
The meeting included discussions on gaming, taxation, jurisdiction, health and human services, economic development and education. Armstrong thanked the tribe for its hospitality and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to strengthen state-tribal relations for the benefit of tribal members and all North Dakota citizens.
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 RWIP application deadline approaching
Commerce reminds communities that applications for the Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP) are due by 5 p.m. CST Dec. 9. The program provides grants to regional workforce entities to develop innovative solutions that address workforce challenges through collaboration and community impact.
For details on eligibility and application guidelines, visit the RWIP website.
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Boost your reach with North Dakota Tourism's 2026 Cooperative Advertising Plan
North Dakota Tourism has launched a new in-state cooperative advertising program to inspire longer stays and reach the 56% of residents currently making day trips. Affordable options are available to help your business make an impact, from magazine placements and TV features to online display ads.
Opportunities include:
Regional programs with a 50% match up to $2,500 are also available, including social media partnerships, email, video/display, native ads, streaming audio, and Google keyword campaigns.
Explore the full plan and pricing on the cooperative's webpage.
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 Join the upcoming Community Development Rural Prosperity Community Chats webinar
The Office of Community Development and Rural Prosperity invites you to an engaging session featuring Lisa Rotvold, executive director of the Red River Community Housing Development Organization.
Lisa will share practical strategies and lessons from northeast North Dakota on overcoming housing barriers in rural communities. Whether you're a local leader, nonprofit professional, or resident invested in your town’s future, this webinar offers valuable insights and tools to support housing development.
Topic: Overcoming Barriers & Building Housing in Rural North Dakota
Date: Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, Time: 1 to 2 p.m. CST
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 Automation Tax Credit applications open
Commerce has opened the Automation Tax Credit Program Portal for applications. The program provides income tax credits of up to 15% for primary sector businesses investing in automation that improves productivity, efficiency and competitiveness in manufacturing and animal agricultural processes.
Funded with a $3 million annual allocation, the program includes set-aside amounts for first-time claimants and animal agricultural processors. To qualify, businesses must be certified as primary sector by Commerce and show that automation investments add value, improve job quality or increase output.
Applications, including all required documentation, must be submitted by 5 p.m. CST Jan. 31, 2026.
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Also Happening at Commerce |
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Effertz Speaks at national energy conference
Community Services Director Maria Effertz spoke at the NASEO Annual Conference, held October 27–30 in Nashville, TN. She joined a panel on overcoming barriers to wind energy deployment, alongside Elizabeth Mahony (Massachusetts Dept. of Energy), Kristin Hanks-Bents (Iowa Economic Development Authority), and Jon Szoka (Conservative Energy Network).
The session highlighted wind energy’s role in job creation, rural development, and U.S. energy independence.
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Coleman joins national tourism leadership summit
Sara Otte Coleman, Director of the Tourism and Marketing Division, participated in the National Council of State Tourism Director’s leadership summit last week in Portland, OR. The meetings convened directors from 28 states and included panels and facilitated workshops as well as networking.
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Tourism momentum builds at NTA in Ottawa
Deanne Cunningham from North Dakota Department of Commerce and Amy McCaan from the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library represented North Dakota at the National Tour Association Travel Exchange (TREX25) in Ottawa, Canada, Nov. 8–13. Alongside scheduled appointments, they networked on the show floor and joined sessions focused on industry trends and best practices.
Deanne reports strong results as six tour companies have confirmed trips to North Dakota in 2026, with four more developing itineraries for 2027–2028. Three of those companies are already registered for the Accent West Travel Conference in Medora next May.
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North Dakota leaders highlight innovation at IO Summit
North Dakota Commerce Economic Development & Finance Director Rich Garman and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring took the national stage at the recent IO Summit, hosted by Ingredients Online. Goehring delivered a keynote address on reshoring and ag innovation, while Garman presented during the investment session, showcasing North Dakota’s strategic role in biotech and ingredient manufacturing.
Their participation reinforced the state’s leadership in advancing domestic production and sustainable supply chain solutions.
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Grant Opportunity |
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Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP)
Deadline: Dec. 9, 2025
Empowers regional workforce entities to develop and implement locally led solutions to workforce challenges.
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Tracks:
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Track A: Sector strategy planning
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Track B: Implementation of sector strategies developed within the past five years
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Eligibility: Economic development orgs, cities, chambers of commerce, job development authorities, tribal entities, and regional councils
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Requirements:
- Must include at least one industry partner
- Must demonstrate a 25% match commitment
Rural Catalyst Grant
Deadline: Jan. 7, 2026
Supports rural and tribal communities in North Dakota to implement projects that improve quality of life and drive economic development.
Focus Areas:
- Community and economic development
- Health and wellness
- Education
- Transportation
- Preserving or reopening rural grocery stores
- Placemaking and downtown improvements
Eligibility:
- Municipalities, counties, tribes, job development authorities, regional councils, or other political subdivisions in North Dakota
- Communities with populations of 4,500 or fewer
- At least 50% of funds must go to communities with 1,500 or fewer residents
Requirements:
- Must provide a 1:1 local match (can include in-kind contributions such as donated labor, services, or materials)
- Projects must address a critical community need and demonstrate local collaboration
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Upcoming Events |
Mark your calendars for IRU 2026, which will be held in Medora, ND, from April 27 to May 1. Stay tuned for further details regarding registration and sponsorship opportunities.
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Join tourism professionals, marketers, and community leaders from across the state for the North Dakota Travel Industry Conference — a premier event packed with inspiring keynotes, hands-on sessions, and unmatched networking.
Whether you're building tourism infrastructure or promoting North Dakota’s legendary experiences, this is the must-attend event of the year.
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Power in Partnerships |
Fenworks scales regional impact with support from North Dakota Development Fund, Inc.
Fenworks, a Grand Forks-based leader in esports and high-tech after-school programming, is expanding its reach across the Upper Midwest. Backed by the North Dakota Development Fund’s Angel Match Program, the company has accelerated its growth and innovation.
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Since 2021, Fenworks has grown from working with 16 North Dakota schools to partnering with more than 150 across four states—North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wyoming—for the 2024–25 season. Its offerings now include drone racing and a sanctioned esports league in South Dakota, meeting rising demand for STEM-focused extracurriculars.
The company’s success is rooted in its investment in local talent and technology. With 17 full-time employees based primarily in Grand Forks, Fenworks recently added an in-house developer to enhance its proprietary software platform, which now supports about 2,000 active users.
Highlights include hosting the record-breaking 2023–24 ND/MN Esports State Tournament at the University of North Dakota and launching inclusive unified programs in partnership with Special Olympics chapters in North and South Dakota.
With continued support from the Angel Match Program, Fenworks is helping shape the future of esports, drone racing and STEM education—empowering students and driving innovation across the region.
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In The News |
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Did You Know
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Commerce now offers a statewide subscription to LOIS at no cost to your organization?
LOIS, or Location One Information System, is a property marketing tool that helps showcase available sites and buildings on a custom map. It includes brochures, geospatial layers, demographic and workforce data, web analytics and sharing tools to help connect your properties with global prospects.
This service is available to all regional, county, local and downtown or Main Street economic development organizations across North Dakota. It helps you extend your marketing reach, stay prepared for site selection opportunities and ensure your property data is accurate and up to date.
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