Did you know that Visit Watford City and McKenzie County Tourism offer an online Hospitality Training series? This five-part series of training videos are designed for both hospitality industry professionals and employees that interact with the general public. It is also a great tool for any employee or resident that is new to the area. The five episodes will give you a better understanding of the attractions in and around Watford City, along with educating you on all the online tools available. Through this course, individuals will gain a deeper understanding of our culture, attractions and how to use the hospitality tools effectively. This added knowledge will lift up the employee’s customer service by now being able to answer “What is there to do?”.

Upon completion of the training, individuals will receive a button, a canvas bag, a Watford City pen, a small notebook, and $20 in Chamber Bucks (money you can spend only at stores in Watford City). To receive these incentives, make sure to complete the simple quiz at the end of each video. Once all the quizzes are completed, you can stop by the Long X Visitor Center at 100 2nd Ave SW to pick up your items.

Click here to start the Online Hospitality Training series and get your prizes today!

On November 8, the Watford City High School held their second Cultural Fair at the Rough Rider Center where over 30 different cultures and 25 nations shared mouth-watering global cuisines, dances, conversation and culture. It was an event attendees won’t forget and was a great celebration of the rich, cultural melting pot of Watford City!

Click here to watch the Watford City High School Cultural Fair recap.

Vision West ND’s Housing Committee has created a document that highlights federal, state and local programs that aim to increase access to safe, affordable housing in North Dakota. The highlighted programs and resources are meant to spread existing information, spur new ideas for local communities, increase affordability and empower aspiring homeowners. From federal grants and state-level initiatives to community-driven solutions, this document serves as a resource for those seeking to make a difference in the realm of housing access.

To view the Improving and Expanding Housing Access in North Dakota document, click here.

McKenzie County employers have received more Ukrainians through the North Dakota Petroleum Council’s Bakken GROW Program. The community has now gained seven total Ukrainian employees through this program, and they are as excited as their employers are to join the workforce and community! Learn more on the Bakken GROW Program here.

 

The November 2023 Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include:

• McKenzie County’s September 2023 labor force was 10,397; September 2022 it was 9,561.
• The LoadPass permits for McKenzie County in October 2023 was 2,640; in October 2022 it was 2,313.
• The total taxable sales and purchases for McKenzie County in Q3 of 2023 was $87,594,191; in Q3 of 2022 it was $85,926,251.