In January, McKenzie County Economic Development welcomed Meghan Taunton into her new position as director. Taunton grew up in California and moved to Williston in 2012 during the height of the oil boom. She spent time working in the oil industry before attending Williston State College and the University of North Dakota to obtain a […]
The January 2025 Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include: Watford City Sales Tax Distributions are up 17.5% for 2025 compared to 2024 distribution, with Alexander up a significant 67% from 2024 to 2025 While visits to Theodore Roosevelt National Park are up slightly over the past year, visits in December 2025 […]
The latest episode of the “Living in McKenzie County” podcast offers a fascinating look into the career pathways available at the Bakken Area Skills Center. Host Vawnita Best delves into the center’s essential role in shaping the future workforce of McKenzie County, showcasing programs that range from heavy equipment operation to healthcare. The episode begins […]
In the latest episode of the Living in McKenzie County podcast, Dr. Wayne Heckaman, along with colleagues Scott Wisness, Anselmo Jr. Hernandez, and Justin Johnsrud, discussed the transformative power of the Bakken Area Skills Center (BASC). Over the past 24 months, the BASC has become a beacon for students in McKenzie County and surrounding areas, […]
The December 2025 Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include: Recent unemployment rates and labor force data remains unavailable due to the prior government shutdown. McKenzie County had 25 births in November of 2025, up from 15 in November of 2024. Year to date births are up 9.5% from last year. 2025 […]
In this engaging episode of the Living in McKenzie County series, McKenzie County Tourism Director Doug Bolken and Gretchen Stenehjem dive into a lively discussion about the exciting developments surrounding the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota. Gretchen, a board member of the Presidential Library, shares her passion for this ambitious project, highlighting […]
Join us in this special edition of the Living in McKenzie County Podcast as Vawnita Best sits down with Lynn Welker-Fevold, the president of the Benefit Fund of McKenzie Health. In our engaging conversation, Lynn shares her passion for rural healthcare and the upcoming Giving Tuesday initiatives. This national day of giving is an opportunity […]
The November 2025 Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include: September employment data from the North Dakota Labor Market Information and price/cost data from the USDA is unavailable this month due to the government shutdown. The City Sales Tax Distribution was up significantly (+24%) from October 2024 to October 2025 in […]
The latest episode of the “Living in McKenzie County Podcast” dives into the vital topic of rural healthcare, featuring insights from a trio of specialists at McKenzie Health; Cardiologist Dr. Richard Howard, Oncologist Dr. Chad Pedersen, and Pediatrician Dr. Waco Goodnight. In this engaging episode, host Vawnita Best converses with these specialists to highlight the […]
In the latest episode of “Living in McKenzie County,” the spotlight is on a special guest, Cory Hepola, and his team from the “My Town” documentary series. The episode dives into the essence of rural living and showcases McKenzie County’s vibrant lifestyle. Beginning with a hearty welcome from host Vawnita Best, listeners are brought into […]
