The June 2024 Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include:
Construction on the Alexander Daycare project is officially scheduled to start after a groundbreaking ceremony was held on Tuesday, June 11. Alexander and McKenzie County leaders addressed a crowd at the future grounds of the childcare center and expressed their gratitude towards everyone involved in getting the project started and the bright future of the daycare. The daycare, located at the intersection of Bruegger St. and Elk St. in Alexander, will be a 7,500 square foot structure. Construction is expected to start in the next few weeks and is on track to officially open in spring or early summer 2025. Read more here.
The primary election of 2024 took place on June 11 in McKenzie County and the state of North Dakota. The primary elections determine the party nominees for various state and federal offices and also include county, city and school district races. The results of the primaries of the state, federal and county races shape the choices voters will have in the general election in November, while city and school races are final. Here are the unofficial results of the primary election in McKenzie County:
Find more McKenzie County and North Dakota primary election results here.
The End of the Rope film is now available to stream on Apple and Amazon prime streaming. If you haven’t seen the infamous true story of the last lynching in North Dakota, which was filmed and set in McKenzie County, click here to watch a trailer and head to those services to stream the movie today!
The May 2024 Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include:
Best of the West Ribfest has announced its 2024 entertainment! Country singer and performer Easton Corbin will be the country headliner and Steve Augeri, former lead singer of Journey, will be the rock headliner. Mark your calendars and come on down to Main Street, Watford City on August 9 for the great food and entertainment!
Find more Ribfest details here.
The 65th Annual McKenzie County Fair is scheduled for June 12-15 at the McKenzie County Ag Expo. Entertainment highlights of the fair include a demolition derby, rodeo, 4H livestock show, and much more! There will also be the Olaf Leiseth Jr. Memorial Draft Horse Competition on Wednesday, June 12, and a vibrant fair parade on Thursday, June 13. Visitors can look forward to the 4-H animal shows and the carnival running from Thursday-Saturday. Click here to learn more and mark your calendars for the 2024 McKenzie County Fair!
Basin Electric Cooperative plans to construct a 1,400-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant in North Dakota, making it the cooperative’s largest power-generating facility and its largest capital expenditure project. CEO Todd Brickhouse announced the plan at the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference, noting that the facility, to be operational by 2030 or earlier, will cost billions and use about 7% of North Dakota’s current natural gas production. The exact location will depend on pipeline negotiations, and the project requires board and regulatory approvals. Julie Fedorchak of the Public Service Commission welcomed the project, emphasizing the need for more power generation in the state. The new plant will complement Basin Electric’s existing natural gas plants and address the state’s excess gas from oil production. The announcement comes amidst rising electricity consumption due to North Dakota’s energy industry and challenges from new federal regulations on coal-fired power plants. Read more about this ND Monitor story here.
The Watford City Roughrider Fund is a one and a half cent city sales tax missioned with enhancing Watford City. In recent history, the fund supported the construction and expansion of large community facilities including the McKenzie Health Medical Complex, the Rough Rider Center and the Watford City Municipal Airport.
Each year, the fund supports organizations that create vibrancy in our community through events and programming in and around Watford City. This year, the fund committed $ 100,000 to its Community Enhancement Grant program to support vibrancy efforts. At the February City Council meeting, the fund awarded $ 52,500 to the following organization for programming and events:
• Save the Maah Daah Hey to support volunteer efforts during the annual Big Push event
• Friday Night Lights to support school wide activity passes and student back packs
• Trap, Neuter, Rescue Foundation (AKA Angels Wish) to support operations
• Badlands Gymnastics to support the annual Blast In the Badlands youth gymnastics meet
• Long X Arts Foundation to support Wild West Days at the 2024 North Dakota Rodeo Associations Finals
• Long X Arts Foundation to support Art in the Park 2024 during Watford City’s Homefest Celebration weekend
• Watford City Golf Club to support the Welcome Back Scramble, Money Mayhem Tournament, Couples Scramble, and Superintendent’s Challenge
• Bakken Classic Jr Livestock Show to support their annual North Dakota Junior Point & Beyond the Ring sanctioned youth show
• Feed My Starving Children to support the Watford City Mobile Pack event
• McKenzie County Heritage Park & ND Oil Museum to support youth programs such as Tator Tots, Teddy’s Kids Camp, Dino Dig, Heritage Day, and monthly old fashion creative arts at Wintering Well
• Watford City Chamber of Commerce to support Homefest weekend activities
• Watford City Chamber of Commerce to support Ribfest
• Watford City Chamber of Commerce to support Fall & Winter events such as Trail of Treats, Turkey Bingo, and Parade of Lights
• Bakken Oil Rush Ministry to support the Bilingual Play Group
• Bakken Oil Rush Ministry to support the Annual School Supply Giveaway
• McKenzie County Tourism to support VisitWatordCity.com 2024 Main Street Summit downtown activities
• Watford City Park District to support the 2024 North Dakota Parks Association State Conference at the Rough Rider Center
• Watford City Park District to support the 2024 12 U Cal Ripken Baseball Tournament
• Arnegard Park Board to support Spudfest
The program has an additional $ 47,500 available for 2024 events and programs in McKenzie County that support community vibrancy. Please find the application by scanning the QR Code above or by clicking here.
The McKenzie County Heritage Park and ND Oil Museum was featured on a KFYR TV news story on Tuesday, April 23. The story showed highlights of the museum and interviewed LeRoy Lillibridge who leads the museum and helps attain its valuable and historic items. With dreams of expansion, Lillibridge continues to infuse his passion into our community treasure, inviting all to explore the heritage that defines McKenzie County’s essence.
Visit the McKenzie County Heritage Park & ND Oil Museum Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free of cost, and immerse yourself in a journey through time.
