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Governor Armstrong, Tourism Director Sara Otte Coleman, along with other state leaders, project partners and Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (TRPL) officials recently gathered in Medora to provide updates on the highly anticipated opening of the library, set for July 4, 2026, during America’s 250th anniversary celebration. The press conference highlighted the project’s continued momentum, growing national attention and the significant tourism and economic impact expected for western North Dakota and communities across the state.
Leaders shared details about opening events, infrastructure preparations and the visitor experience while emphasizing the library’s unique connection to the North Dakota Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy. With opening weekend already generating strong interest and national coverage continuing to grow, the project is expected to bring visitors from around the world to North Dakota.
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As summer travel season begins, the Talent Pipeline Fly-In Grant Program is giving North Dakota communities an opportunity to connect directly with potential new residents and showcase what makes their communities unique. The program supports fly-in events that introduce qualified candidates from the Find the Good Life talent pipeline to local employers, neighborhoods, schools, amenities and community life.
Research continues to show that experiencing a place firsthand plays a major role in relocation decisions, with 76% of new North Dakota residents visiting the state before choosing to move here. By helping visitors picture themselves living and working in the community, fly-in events create meaningful opportunities to attract talent and strengthen local workforce pipelines. Applications for the program are reviewed on a rolling basis until funding is fully allocated.
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North Dakota Tourism and Medora recently hosted the International Roundup (IRU), welcoming 200 participants, including 40 international tourism operators from 14 countries, for three days of business meetings and tours across North Dakota. Held in partnership with the Great American West, the event connected regional tourism operators with international travel professionals to help grow overseas visitation and strengthen global tourism partnerships.
The impact of IRU extended far beyond Medora, with operators visiting more than 16 communities across the state through pre- and post-tour experiences. The event provided an opportunity to showcase North Dakota’s landscapes, attractions and hospitality to key international markets while helping position the state as a growing world-class travel destination.
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Great Plains Food Bank recently broke ground on a new distribution center in Fargo that will expand the organization’s ability to serve communities across North Dakota. The project was supported in part through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding administered by Commerce. CDBG funding helps communities support projects that improve quality of life, strengthen infrastructure and address critical local needs.
Once completed, the new facility will increase storage and distribution capacity, helping Great Plains Food Bank respond more efficiently to growing demand and strengthen food access for individuals and families across the region.
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Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken recently delivered opening remarks at the Economic Development Association of North Dakota (EDND) SparkED Training in Bismarck, welcoming community leaders, volunteers and economic development professionals from across the state.
The training provides practical, hands-on education focused on economic and community development in rural communities.
The 2026 North Dakota Statewide Community Needs Assessment is officially underway, with survey collection continuing through June 30, 2026.
Conducted in partnership with North Dakota State University, the assessment gathers input from low-income households across the state to help guide strategic planning, program development and funding priorities. Community Action agencies and partners are working together to ensure communities across North Dakota are represented and heard.
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The Bismarck-Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau is accepting applications for its Partner Event Grant, which supports qualifying meetings and events that bring economic impact to the Bismarck-Mandan area.
Eligible events must be multi-day, attract out-of-town participants and generate overnight stays. Grant funding may be used for marketing, hospitality or event operations.
Applications are open for events taking place between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2026, with submissions due May 30, 2026.
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Applications Now Open!
The Fly-In Grant Program provides up to $25,000 in matching funds for communities to host fly‑in events that connect job seekers with employers and showcase local quality of life. The program will help strengthen statewide workforce efforts by helping communities build meaningful connections with prospective workers and by giving candidates a firsthand look at the opportunities North Dakota offers.
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Fueling growth: Bridging the language gap for ND employers and nonprofits
June 1, 2026Â |Â 12 P.M. - 1 P.M.
This webinar will highlight strategies and tools that help North Dakota businesses and nonprofit organizations overcome language barriers in the workplace. The session will feature resources that support employee integration, operational efficiency and more inclusive work environments.
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Cows & Co Creamery in Carrington is proving that rural innovation can thrive with the right mix of passion, partnership and perseverance. Founded by Maartje Murphy, the business began with handcrafted gelato made from her family’s dairy farm milk and sold from a bicycle cart at farmers markets and festivals.
Today, Cows & Co has grown into a destination creamery producing artisan cheeses, bottled milk and small-batch gelato while expanding into Fargo’s Brewhalla and shipping products nationwide. Along the way, the business has created local jobs, strengthened community connections and become a powerful example of how entrepreneurship can help rural communities grow and thrive.
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Since 1991, the North Dakota Development Fund (NDDF) has played a key role in supporting business expansion and economic growth across North Dakota by providing flexible financing options for primary sector businesses. The program helps companies access capital that may not otherwise be available through traditional financing, allowing businesses to move projects forward, create jobs and invest in long-term growth.
The fund has supported a wide range of North Dakota businesses and projects over the years, helping strengthen local economies, encourage private investment and create new opportunities in communities across the state. For many businesses, the program serves as a critical tool in turning expansion plans and new ideas into reality.
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