McKenzie County continues to see new residents move into our community. In an effort to provide connections and resources to those who are looking to get more involved in the community, there will be an event to help provide those connections. Living and Thriving in McKenzie County will be on Tuesday, October 11, from 6-8pm at the Rough Rider Center. While RSVP is requested through this article’s link, there is no cost to attend.
Wolf Pup Daycare will be adding 180 childcare slots with the addition of a new daycare center to be located next to Fox Hills Elementary. Temporary facilities which can accommodate up to 120 children will be added by spring 2023, and the full center is set to be completed by fall 2024.
Representatives from Cornerstone Bank today announced a $100,000 commitment to the Bakken Area Skills Center project. The contribution comes on the heels of many other local organization’s contributions including ONEOK, Stenehjem Holdings, Titan Energy Services, Fort Union Masonic Lodge #128, Northern States Fishing Tools, Chord Energy, ConocoPhillips, Marathon, Carl E Rogan Post 29 American Legion, Grayson Mill Energy, Crestwood, Winn Construction, and Targa Resources.
North Dakota’s spring wheat crop is projected to increase 56% over last year’s drought production according to forecasts from the USDA based on August 1, 2022 conditions. Other crops forecasted to increase include durum wheat up 92%, winter wheat up 164%, barley up 55%, and oats at 168%
Construction on the Bakken Area Skills Center has begun with the ceremonial groundbreaking on July 18, 2022. This center has been in the works for years and will be a place for hands-on technical training for both high school students and those already in the workforce. Construction is hoped to be finished by late 2023. Financial commitments to the project have been coming in from a variety of entities including North Dakota Career and Technical Education, McKenzie County Economic Development, McKenzie County School District #1, ONEOK, Stenehjem Holdings, Titan Energy Services, City of Watford City, Fort Union Masonic Lodge #128, Chord Energy, Northern States Fishing Tools, ConocoPhillips, Marathon, Carl E Rogan Post 29 American Legion, and Grayson Mill Energy. Financial contributions are still being accepted. Visit here for more information.
The North Dakota Petroleum Council will once again be holding its annual meeting in Watford City. Attendees can expect to hear the latest updates on the North Dakota’s petroleum industry from industry and government leaders. The meeting will be held September 20-22, 2022 at the Rough Rider Center.
The July economy at a glance is now available. Some data of note include:
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The Economic Resiliency and Diversification Strategies for McKenzie County technical assistance report is now available. Compiled by a diverse panel from the International Economic Development Council, the report details recommendations for our community to focus on in both the short and medium term. The McKenzie County Job Development Authority has been reviewing the recommendations and are seeking to implement many of them.
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The June economy at a glance is now available. Some data of note:
Two new transmission lines and a substation estimated to cost half a billion dollars have been announced by Basin Electric for western North Dakota. Residential, commercial, industrial and data centers are all contributing to the need for more power in the area. See more in this story from KFYR-TV.
