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!
ND Governor Doug Burgum has announced the recipients of the 2023 Main Street Awards, which honor individuals from North Dakota who have made exceptional contributions to their communities by implementing innovative approaches aligned with the Main Street Initiative’s principles. These awards highlight the importance of recognizing and celebrating the efforts of those who actively work towards enhancing community life and showcase the positive impact that engaged communities can have on society as a whole. Of the multiple 2023 awardees, McKenzie County Tourism was awarded the 21st Century Workforce Award for their tourism and hospitality online training program, which was led by Doug Bolken. The 21st Century Workforce Award recognizes excellence in the workforce that includes demonstrating workforce attraction and retention through the implementation of a strategy that encourages people to move to and stay in a community. Gov. Burgum expressed gratitude towards the awardees, emphasizing the tangible benefits that their initiatives bring to everyone involved. Click here to read more on the 2023 Main Street award winners.
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
Photo Credits: JJ’s Photos
Jessica Mogen, a senior at Watford City High School, was awarded the Senior Athlete of the Year for Girls Basketball in Division A. Mogen scored more than 1,000 career points and averaged almost 20 points per game this year. She has committed to Minot State University to continue her basketball journey at the collegiate level. Mogen and the Watford City Wolves finished in 8th place at the 2024 Division A State Girls Basketball Tournament. Congratulations to Mogen and the Wolves on a great year!
In a recently released video titled “A Community of Innovation, Collaboration & Investment: The Modern History of Watford City and McKenzie County“, community leaders recount the modern history of McKenzie County. They discuss challenges it has faced and how it has grown to the great community it is today. Hear from leaders such as Brent Sanford, Dale Patten, Gene Veeder and others as they recount the struggles and successful transition from a small, rural town to the busy and growing community we live in today.
Dollar General has now opened two stores in Watford City to accommodate the demands of the expanding population. One store is located off Main Street at 504 Main Street and the other is located east of town at 406 Hunter’s Run Street. The two stores deliver everyday low prices on items including food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, family apparel, houseware, seasonal items, paper products and much more. Visit the stores for your shopping needs today!
The February 2024 Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include:
A new documentary film named “Maah Daah Hey” is now available to watch on YouTube. The film centers around the 2023 Maah Daah Hey 100 race, one of America’s most rugged ultra-endurance mountain bike races that annually takes place in August. The film follows long-time pro athlete Kelly Magelky and local amateur Tyler Huber as they race to the finish line. Watch the Stable Cyclist film here.
The Bakken Area Skills Center is looking for talented and motivated instructors in the areas of Automation, Automotive Technology, Information Technology, Welding, CDL, Petroleum Technology, UAS or a similar trades to teach classes for the 2024-25 school year. Applicants must have a North Dakota CTE Teaching License, OR four years of industry experience. Salary is contingent upon experience, benefits included.
Click here for more information.
McKenzie County recorded 247 births in 2023 according to data taken from the North Dakota Department of Health. That number is higher than the 2021 and 2022 birth numbers and ties the 2020 number. Find more information on vital records in McKenzie County here.
