Enerplus, an independent oil and gas producer, has committed $100,000 towards the Bakken Area Skills Center. The Bakken Area Skills Center will help meet the workforce challenges in our community by providing a place for hands-on training for our students and those already in the workforce. Learn more about the skills center here.
The McKenzie County Job Development Authority is seeking support for the construction of single-family dwellings in McKenzie County to address the current housing shortage through the creation of a JDA Home Builder Construction Loan Participation Program. Initial funding of $4.5 million is being requested by the Job Development Authority to fund this as a revolving loan program. This program would run until December 31, 2024. At that time, it would be evaluated as to if there is reason for it to continue. The program is seeking launch in June 2023.
The JDA is seeking a fund and program administrator for this program through the Requests for Proposal (RFP) process. Proposals are being accepted until 10 a.m. CT on May 5, 2023. To view the RFP, click here.
The April Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include:
McKenzie County’s Labor Force for Feb. 2023 was 9,617, over a thousand more than Feb. 2022’s total of 8,616.
Alexander’s City Sales Tax distributions for March 2023 was $42,737, higher than March 2022’s total of $35,164.
McKenzie County’s LoadPass Permits for March 2023 was 2,471, higher than March 2022’s total of 1,974.
On April 17, Innovative Health officially opened their family practice clinic, located in Watford City at 340 North Main St., Suite 311. The clinic will include new and exciting services and medical care that will be offered to Watford City and surrounding area residents.
Innovative Health is now accepting all appointments with their three providers. Call 701-444-2888 or email info@innovativehealth.us for any questions or to schedule an appointment.
The North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC) is responding to the workforce shortages in the oil and natural gas industry by creating a program called Bakken GROW (Global Recruitment of Oilfield Workers). The Bakken Grow program will be an innovative way to bring new workers to the Bakken region through immigration, specifically Ukrainian immigrants with the new “Uniting for Ukraine (U4U). U4U is a streamlined immigration process that provides Ukrainian citizens who have fled their country after Russia’s invasion an opportunity to come and work in the United States.
The NDPC has hired Brent Sanford, former Lt. Governor of ND, to be the Project Manager of Bakken GROW and assist in bringing Ukrainian immigrants to North Dakota. Sanford and the NDPC plan to welcome 25 new workers to North Dakota by July 2023.
For more information on Bakken GROW, click here.
The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, partnered with the Airport Association of North Dakota, has recognized Watford City Municipal Airport as North Dakota’s 2022 General Aviation Airport of the Year. Airports with excellent community outreach, facility management, construction and beautification projects, and participation and hosting of special events receive this annual award. After a decade of planning and executing, Watford City accomplished a major renovation to its municipal airport in 2022. The renovation project will now enhance safety for all airport operations and accommodate the growing community of Watford City and the surrounding area. Read more on the award here.
The McKenzie County Ag Expo is getting closer to completion and is set to open in time for the county fair this summer, scheduled for June 15-17. The facility has already been booked for other events including rodeos, tradeshows, motorsports and much more. Check out the Ag Expo Facebook page to learn more!
North Dakota has the lowest rate of electricity in the country, according to recent data taken from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. As of December 2022, the U.S. pays an average of $14.96 cents per kilowatt-hour for residential electricity, compared to North Dakota paying $9.62. Learn more on the cost of electricity here.
The North Dakota Department of Transportation has approved the beginning stages of construction on the expansion of Highway 85. The approval will pave the way to expand Highway 85 to a four-lane highway between Watford City and the Long X Bridge. Construction is set to begin later this spring. Read more on the expansion here.
According to a study conducted by North Dakota State University Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics and Center for Social Research, the oil and gas industry in North Dakota attributed $42.58 billion in gross business volume, which is the business generated from direct sales and indirect economic activity throughout the state. The study also found that the oil and gas industry attributed to almost 50,000 jobs and made $3.8 billion in state and local revenues in 2021. Read more of the economic impact study here.
