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 […]
In the latest episode of the Living in McKenzie County Podcast, the spotlight is on the bustling McKenzie County Ag Expo. Host Vawnita Best brings together an engaging panel including Ag Expo Director Chris Kubal, McKenzie County Commission President & Ag Expo Foundation President Howdy Lawlar, and Jessica Hollenbeck, marketing director with Lund Oil, to […]
In the latest episode of Living in McKenzie County, Jessie Veeder Scofield sits down with some of the most inspiring women involved in the Long X Arts Foundation to discuss the vital role of arts and culture in community building. The foundation, established in 2016, has been instrumental in fostering arts programming, enhancing community experiences, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
