Over the last 15 years, Watford City has been at the center of U.S. energy production, unleashed through the extraction of Bakken oil and natural gas. As a result, the community has experienced one of the largest population growths by percentage in the U.S. during that same period. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are looking at new opportunities for development and redevelopment in the community.

Thanks to a recent Rural Facility Planning Grant awarded from the ND Department of Commerce, we are currently creating a redevelopment plan and vision for three underutilized areas within the city. The goal of this plan is to drive developer interest and investment in overlooked areas, increase residential and commercial tax base in the community, provide needed critical infrastructure (such as housing and critical services) and provide additional quality-of-life amenities for residents.

You can help shape the future of Watford City by taking the survey to share your redevelopment vision. The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete, and your responses are confidential. Scan the QR Code above or click here to take the survey.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony (in this case, a wood-cutting ceremony) for the Bakken Area Skills Center (BASC) in Watford City was held on Tuesday, April 16. Governor Doug Burgum attended the ceremony and spoke towards the success and hopefulness of the skills center. Alongside Gov. Burgum was Superintendent Dr. Steve Holen and other esteemed guests who shared their insights on the significance of this center for our community.

Thank you to everyone involved in this project, from the planning and construction stages to the grand opening. Your dedication has made the BASC a reality, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact it brings to our community’s future!

New U.S. Census Bureau estimates reveal varied population changes across North Dakota’s Bakken counties, with slight increases seen in some areas while other areas experienced declines. Ward, Renville and McHenry counties saw a 0.6% decrease in population from July 2022 to July 2023. In that same timespan, Williams, McKenzie and Mountrail County saw notable growth, with Williams increasing by 3%, McKenzie by 2.6% and Mountrail by 1.5%. This growth is attributed to the state’s oil-related economy, which has rebounded after a downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more on the population growth in the Minot Daily News story.

The Bakken Area Skills Center (BASC) will be holding a ribbon cutting event to officially introduce the state-of-the-art facility to the community on Tuesday, April 16 at 2:30 p.m. The event will be held at the address of the BASC, 2112 Wolves Den Parkway in Watford City. All are welcome to this exciting event!

Job Service ND Labor Market Information Center has released the short-term employment projections through 2025, which summarizes the numeric and percent changes by industry and occupation. The top five North Dakota industries projected to have the most growth by 2025 include:

1. Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction – employed 17,500 workers in 2023 and is projected to employ 19,268 workers in 2025, a 10% increase
2. Support Activities for Mining – employed 12,938 workers in 2023 and is projected to employ 14,585 workers in 2025, a 13% increase
3. Health Care and Social Assistance – employed 62,778 workers in 2023 and is projected to employ 64,150 workers in 2025, a 2% increase
4. Construction – employed 27,170 workers in 2023 and is projected to employ 28,284 workers in 2025, a 4% increase
5. Educational Services – employed 39,522 workers in 2023 and is projected to employ 40,529 workers in 2025, a 3% increase