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Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced at the Governor’s Workforce Summit that North Dakota had consolidated its workforce programs under a single agency and named Katie Ralston Howe as the state’s first workforce commissioner. Ralston Howe had been serving as deputy commissioner and director of Workforce Development at Commerce.
Armstrong said combining programs that had been spread across several agencies would strengthen coordination and improve service for workers and employers. A Workforce Subcabinet review found the fragmented structure was no longer sustainable as federal funding declined.
Ralston Howe said the unified agency would give the state a clearer strategy and make it easier for people and businesses to access services. As part of the change, the state launched NDwin, a new website designed to serve as the front door to workforce programs and help users more easily find support.
About 300 employees from Commerce’s Workforce Development Division, Job Service North Dakota, Adult Education, Vocational Rehabilitation and the Office of Refugee Resettlement were included in the new structure. The agency also took on the State Apprenticeship Office to help expand Registered Apprenticeship Programs.
No staffing changes are planned, though roles could shift once lawmakers act on creating the Department of Workforce Development. If approved, the agency would take effect July 1, 2027.
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North Dakota made a strong showing at the 2026 Mid-America Economic Development Council Annual Awards, earning four honors in a competition recognizing standout economic development projects and initiatives across a 13-state region.
The annual awards celebrate innovative approaches to economic development, community growth and business investment. North Dakota’s 2026 honorees include:
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Citizen’s Alley + Downtown Minot Activation Strategy, Minot – Placemaking, recognizing efforts to transform underutilized spaces and strengthen downtown vitality.
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Coal Creek Station–Rainbow Energy Center, Underwood – Overcoming Adversity, recognizing an economic development project that successfully navigated significant challenges.
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Applied Digital, Ellendale – Project of the Year, recognizing a major project and its economic impact.
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Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, Medora – People’s Choice Award, selected through voting by conference attendees.
Receiving four awards on a regional stage highlights the strength of economic development happening across North Dakota and the partnerships helping communities attract investment, strengthen local economies and pursue new opportunities.
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North Dakota Tourism Director Sara Otte Coleman traveled to Washington, D.C., to testify before a U.S. House Natural Resources subcommittee on the Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wild Horses Protection Act. The legislation, which passed the U.S. Senate unanimously in June, would require the National Park Service to maintain a genetically diverse herd of at least 150 horses in the park’s South Unit.
During her testimony, Coleman highlighted the important role the wild horses play in North Dakota’s tourism industry and the visitor experience at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The horses have become an iconic part of the Badlands landscape and an experience many travelers specifically hope to see when visiting the park.
Protecting the herd would help preserve that distinctive experience for future visitors while supporting the communities and businesses that benefit from tourism in western North Dakota. Coleman’s testimony provided an opportunity to share North Dakota’s tourism perspective with federal lawmakers as the legislation continues through the U.S. House.
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A $25,000 Rural Catalyst Grant is supporting Home on the Range’s larger $3.2 million capital campaign to expand the Badlands Learning Center near Sentinel Butte. Roosevelt Custer Regional Council provided technical assistance to help the organization successfully pursue the grant funding.
The expansion will add two classrooms, a sensory room, an independent living skills lab and outdoor learning space to better serve youth receiving residential treatment. Since opening in 2024, the Learning Center has served more than 90 students, who have earned more than 100 academic credits and completed multiple GEDs.
Expected to be completed in December 2026, the project will expand educational opportunities for youth while supporting jobs and continued investment in rural western North Dakota.
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Commerce brought together more than 100 employers and workforce partners for the 2026 Global Talent Summit, connecting attendees with resources and strategies to strengthen North Dakota’s workforce through global talent. Gov. Kelly Armstrong and First Lady Kjersti Armstrong opened the event with remarks on the state’s workforce future and the role global talent can play in supporting long-term economic growth.
Throughout the day, national and local experts shared insights on the changing U.S. immigration landscape, the economic impact of global talent and strategies for recruiting, integrating and retaining international workers. Employers also had access to practical resources, including one-on-one consultations with immigration specialist Jonathan Grode.
Led by Commerce’s Global Talent Office, the summit is part of the state’s broader effort to help employers navigate global recruitment and build stronger talent pipelines. By bringing employers, experts and workforce partners together, the event created opportunities to make connections, share ideas and explore solutions that can be put to work across North Dakota.
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Commerce’s Rural Grocery Sustainability Grant program is helping locally owned grocery stores make investments that strengthen food access in rural communities.
In Pembina, D&K Grocery used grant funding to upgrade its point-of-sale system and aging HVAC equipment, helping the longtime local grocery store improve efficiency and continue serving the community.
 Community Needs Assessment extended through September
The 2026 North Dakota Statewide Community Needs Assessment will now remain open through Sept. 30, 2026. Conducted in partnership with North Dakota State University, the assessment gathers input from low-income households to help guide strategic planning, program development and funding priorities.
Community Action agencies and partners are encouraged to continue sharing the survey to help ensure communities across North Dakota are represented.
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Commerce’s Manufacturing Business Development Manager Dave Lehman and Talent Attraction Specialist Sydney Helgeson along with Growing Jamestown's CEO Corry Shevlin and Director of Business Development Alyssa Looysen conducted a BR&E visit to Sunward Steel / WedgeCor in Jamestown, highlighting the company’s long-standing reputation for building durable, high‑quality steel structures and providing end‑to‑end customer support.
 ED&F's Tracey Miller named to 20 Under 40
Commerce is proud to celebrate Tracey Miller, deputy director of Economic Development & Finance, on being named one of the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC’s 2026 20 Under 40 honorees. The recognition celebrates young professionals making an impact through their careers, leadership and involvement in the Bismarck-Mandan community.
Congratulations, Tracey, on this well-deserved recognition!
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Accepting Applications
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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TBEX Summit America 2026
Sept. 29–Oct. 2 | Fargo
North Dakota will welcome travel creators, destination marketing organizations and tourism professionals from around the world as Fargo hosts TBEX Summit America 2026.
The conference offers an opportunity to showcase the state's unique experiences, build industry partnerships and generate valuable media exposure that inspires future travel to North Dakota.
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October 6, 2026 | 9 a.m. - noon CDT
Great Northern Event Center | Williston, ND
Developer Day brings together community leaders, volunteers and economic development professionals for a day of learning, collaboration and practical updates.
Attendees will gain valuable insights, share local priorities and discover Commerce resources that can help strengthen economic development efforts across North Dakota.
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October 6-8, 2026 | Williston, ND
Great Northern Event Center (10/6-10/7) and WSC Healthcare Training Facility (10/8)
The EDND Fall Conference brings together economic development professionals, community leaders and partners to explore the latest trends, share best practices and strengthen connections across North Dakota.
Attendees will gain practical insights and resources to help support economic growth and community development in their regions.
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Travel Industry Marketing Summit
October 15 | Medora, ND
Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
The Travel Industry Marketing Summit brings together North Dakota tourism marketers for a day of collaboration, insights and planning.
Attendees will get a first look at the 2027 tourism marketing strategy, learn about upcoming partnership opportunities and enjoy sponsored admission to the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, offering a unique opportunity to experience North Dakota's newest world-class attraction.
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Long before autonomous technology went mainstream, the state quietly established itself as a premier unmanned aviation powerhouse by investing heavily in specialized infrastructure, research, and capital. Today, North Dakota stands at the forefront of the commercial drone era through a powerful synergy of elite higher education, aerospace giants like Northrop Grumman and General Atomics, and its designation as one of only seven Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved UAS test sites in the country.
This foundation led directly to the creation of Vantis, the nation's first statewide Unmanned Aircraft Systems network designed to enable commercial flights beyond visual line of sight. By bridging public-private partnerships and streamlining regulatory approvals, North Dakota has built an unmatched ecosystem that continues to define the future of autonomous flight.
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