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Grow Your Business During Small Business Month (And Beyond!) | Living in McKenzie County: Season 1, Episode 14

 Episode 14 of the “Living in McKinsey County” podcast delivered an insightful and lively discussion about small business opportunities and the entrepreneurial spirit thriving in our region. Hosted by Vawnita Best, Community & Business Development Director for The City of Watford City, this episode was a celebration of small businesses, offering a glimpse into […]

JDA Interest Buy Down Program Launched

The McKenzie County Job Development Authority (JDA) is offering an interest buydown loan program designed to help diversify the local economy and grow the tax base for public benefit. This funding serves as a required local match for Bank of North Dakota’s (BND) Flex PACE and PACE programs and is available to eligible businesses operating […]

April 2025 Economy at a Glance

The April 2025 Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include: McKenzie County’s LoadPass permits in March 2025 was 3,024 permits; in March 2024 it was 2,937 permits. The number of births in McKenzie County in 2024 was 263 births; in 2023 it was 247 births. Watford City’s total Taxable Sales […]

Rural Leadership ND | Living in McKenzie County: Season 1, Episode 12

In the latest episode of “Living in McKenzie County,” the focus turns to the Rural Leadership North Dakota (RLND) program, a two-year leadership journey aimed at nurturing community leaders across the state. The episode features insightful conversations with McKenzie County RLND alumni and co-hosts Vawnita Best and Daniel Stenberg, as they welcome in fellow RLND […]

VA ATLAS Telehealth Program expands to McKenzie County

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Advancing Telehealth through Local Access Stations (ATLAS) program is bringing a new, innovative healthcare experience to McKenzie County. Designed to improve access for Veterans in rural areas, ATLAS provides private, high-tech telehealth pods where Veterans can connect with VA providers through secure videoconferencing. These stations offer a comfortable and […]

March Economy at a Glance

The March 2025 Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include: Watford City’s occupancy tax distribution in February 2025 was $24,734; in February 2024 it was $14,335. Watford City’s city sales tax distribution in January-February 2025 was $998,933; in January-February 2024 it was $823,901. Alexander’s city sales tax distribution in January-February 2025 was […]

‘Living in McKenzie County’ podcast releases new episodes (S1, Ep. 7, 8 & 9)

In Season 1, Episode 7 of Living in McKenzie County, titled “Cooperative Work Experience”, host Daniel Stenberg explores the Cooperative Work Experience (CWE) program, which helps high school seniors gain career readiness through hands-on internships. The episode features Watford City high school and CWE students Aidan Pelton, Addison George and Kollin Klang, along with Jill […]