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October 2025 Economy at a Glance

The October 2025 Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include: In August, oil prices were down to $64.86 a barrel, nearly $12 lower from August 2024 when prices averaged $76.68. While permit values for September were more than $6.5 million lower than last September, the YTD permit values are nearly identical. The […]

North Dakota Badlands listed in National Geographic’s Best of the World

Graphic courtesy of ND Commerce National Geographic recently unveiled its annual Best of the World list for 2026. The locations were carefully selected by National Geographic’s editors, photographers, and travel experts. Featured on the list of 25 locations from around the world is the Badlands of North Dakota. North Dakota Director of Tourism and Marketing Sara Otte […]

Watford City Events Website is One-Stop Site for Local Events

Watford City offers a great tool for residents and visitors looking to stay up to date on what’s happening in Watford City. Watford City Events is a community calendar that highlights local events, activities, and gatherings to let you see what’s happening each week. It is a go-to destination for anyone looking to plan their […]

September 2025 Economy at a Glance

The September 2025 Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include: Permit values for McKenzie County are up significantly with a YTD total of $10,420,940 compared to $3,966,599 over the same period of 2024. The McKenzie County unemployment rate dropped 0.6% between June and July of 2025 from 2.8% to 2.2%. The […]

McKenzie County Commits $5 Million to Bakken Area Skills Center Endowment

At the September 16th County Commissioners meeting, the commissioners agreed to grant $5 million to the Bakken Area Skills Center (BASC) endowment fund. The request was sent to the commissioners after the Job Development Authority (JDA) Board decided that the goals of the BASC align with the JDA goals of economic diversification and workforce development. […]

Wild West Weekend in Watford City! | Living in McKenzie County: Season 2, Episode 2

 As the summer warmth transitions into the crispness of September, McKenzie County bursts to life with the excitement of rodeo season. Our latest podcast episode dives into the heart of cowboy culture, spotlighting the much-anticipated NDRA State Finals and other thrilling rodeo events taking place throughout the month. Hosted at the beautiful McKenzie County […]

The McKenzie County Heritage Park | Living in McKenzie County: Season 2, Episode 1

 In the latest episode of the Living in McKenzie County podcast, we embarked on a journey through time with Heather and Bekah, two dedicated employees from the McKenzie County Heritage Park. The episode was an engaging exploration of the park’s history, its current attractions, and the vibrant activities that make it a must-visit destination. […]