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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 […]

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. […]

August 2025 Economy at a Glance

The August 2025 Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include: June oil production in McKenzie County was 9,660,056 barrels, which is down nearly 2 million barrels from 11,631,323 barrels in June of 2024. City Sales Tax Distribution for July was $503,808, an increase of 43.7% from last July. The North Unit of […]

Additional Funding Approved for Down Payment Assistance Program

The McKenzie County Commission has approved adding an additional $2 million in funding towards the JDA Housing Down Payment Assistance Program. Since launching in February 2025, 79 homes have become a part of the program. The program provides up to $40,000 in down payment assistance towards the purchase of a newly-constructed house, and up to […]

July 2025 Economy at a Glance

The July 2025 Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include: YTD City of Watford City sales tax distributions were $2,858,396, for the same period last year they were $2,347,967. YTD Rough Rider Center visits for this year are 119,700, while for the same time period last year they were 111,200. Apartment occupancy […]

City of Watford City Embarks on Official City Branding Initiative

Watford City is excited to announce the launch of a new official city branding project, a significant step towards shaping the city’s future identity. This initiative aims to develop a strong, cohesive brand that reflects the spirit and evolution of Watford City, a place that has seen remarkable transformation over the past two decades. The […]

June 2025 Economy at a Glance

The June 2025 Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include: YTD Occupancy Tax is $81,642, for the same period last year it was $70,258 YTD Rough Rider Center visits is 105,300, the same period last year was 101,800 McKenzie County’s labor force for April 2025 was 8,193, for April 2024 it was […]

Discover the Hidden Gems of Western North Dakota! | Living in McKenzie County: Season 1, Episode 15

 At the North Dakota Tourism Conference, key voices gathered to paint a picture of the region’s unique attractions, collaborative spirit, and burgeoning tourism landscape. The conversation was spearheaded by Doug Bolken, joined by Peggy Hellandsaas, Amy Krueger, Kiera Fox, and Sara Otte Coleman, who shared their insights and initiatives to elevate the area’s tourism […]