The January 2024 Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include:
The 2024 Event Guide for Watford City and McKenzie County is now available. Our new guide features event space at the Rough Rider Center, the all-new Ag Expo and a comprehensive list of all the meeting spaces in and around Watford City. This guide is a great tool for you to bring your association or event to Watford City. Instead of travelling across the state, bring your meeting or event here. McKenzie County has a team of experts ready to help you plan your event and connect you with the resources you need. Our team works closely with a number of community organizations and businesses to ensure a memorable visitor experience. Meeting planners know that a successful event demands more than just a great place to meet. Included in the guide are lists of exceptional meeting spaces, beautiful hotels and legendary dining options. We are here to assist you in making our community an event destination.
The Bakken Area Skills Center in Watford City is now open and high school CTE students are excited to grow their knowledge in this state-of-the-art educational facility. Click here to watch the KFYR video of the Bakken Area Skills Center.
The ND Department of Commerce has announced the rescheduled date for the Main Street ND Summit that was supposed to be held in Watford City in October of 2023. The 2024 Main Street ND Summit will now be held August 27-29, 2024 in Watford City, ND. Save this date and stay tuned for more information.
Watford City has gained a new fabric store named Rip’n Stitches. Located at 104 Prospect St. NE Suite 111 in Watford City, Rip’n Stitches supplies quilting, long arming, fabric and sewing needs. Shoppers will have the opportunity to buy the materials and resources they need to make quilts and clothing. There will also be quilt-making and other classes in the near future. Visit the Rip’n Stitches Facebook page to learn more!
Yolanda Rojas, founder and director of Hispanic Advocacy of ND (H.A.N.D), shared her family’s journey from Tucson, Arizona, to Watford City, North Dakota, in 2014, seeking a change in life and better employment opportunities. The transition to a predominately white community brought challenges and culture shock, but the Rojas family gradually integrated into the community through sports, church and community events. Feeling the need to support other newcomers facing language and cultural barriers, Yolanda established H.A.N.D. The nonprofit organization aims to empower and enrich the Hispanic community in North Dakota by bridging language gaps, providing workshops and creating cultural exchange opportunities. La Posada, a Christmas event hosted by H.A.N.D, celebrates Hispanic traditions, including caroling, nativity plays, piñatas, and traditional food, fostering cultural diversity and inclusivity in Watford City. H.A.N.D emphasizes the importance of intentional efforts to enrich and add value to communities. Read more here.
Established in 1998 by Watford City voters, the Roughrider Fund has been dedicated to enhancing the community by supporting various projects. Fueled by a one-and-a-half-cent city sales tax, the fund has contributed to significant endeavors, including the construction of the Wild West Water Park, the McKenzie County medical complex and the Rough Rider Center. In 2023, the fund’s committee highlighted its support for local businesses through the Business Startup & Expansion Forgivable Loan Program, incentivizing establishments like Elite Cabinets & Building Supplies, The Shed, HM’s Steakhouse, McKenzie Health Center, Aligned Chiropractic, and Homestead Physical Therapy. Additionally, the committee aided childcare facilities through the Licensed Childcare Renewal Grant Program and supported community organizations, including the WCCBA, Watford City Park District, Watford City Chamber of Commerce, and Home Instead, through community BUILD project funding.
The Community Enhancement Grant, a cherished community program, backed 30 local events and community programs in 2023, with the committee gearing up for the 2024 grant round to further enhance Watford City and the surrounding area. Organizations hosting events or community programming in McKenzie County in 2024 are encouraged to apply for the Community Enhancement Grant. Learn more about the Roughrider Fund and the eligible programs here. For the 2024 Community Enhancement Grant application, click here.
Incumbent state senator Dale Patten has announced his candidacy for re-election in District 26, encompassing McKenzie County and part of Dunn County. First elected in 2018, Patten currently holds the position of chairman for the Energy and Natural Resources committee and is a member of the Finance and Taxation committee in the North Dakota Senate.
Incumbent state representative Jeremy Olson has also announced his candidacy for re-election in District 26. First elected in 2022, Olson serves on the House Energy and Natural Resources committee and the Finance and Taxation committee.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has allocated $55 million for the expansion of US Highway 85, also known as the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway, in western North Dakota. This funding will facilitate the transformation of over 13 miles of the roadway in McKenzie County from two lanes to four lanes, including widening shoulders and reducing curves from Watford City to I-94. North Dakota’s delegation, earlier this year, advocated for the project’s advantages in enhancing transportation efficiency and safety to DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg, resulting in the funding under the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) program. The expansion addresses the vital role of the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway in connecting the region’s energy and agricultural sectors, ultimately reducing traffic delays, enhancing safety, and promoting economic growth. U.S. Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer have emphasized the significance of this project for western North Dakota’s access to interstate commerce. Read more on this expansion project and award here.
The McKenzie County Food Pantry, which aims to support those facing food insecurity, provides supplemental, nutritious food to residents in need across the county, encompassing areas like Mandaree, New Town, Keene, Killdeer, Grassy Butte, Fairview, Cartwright, and Watford City. Over the years, the demand for assistance has substantially increased, with the pantry serving only a few families weekly 15 years ago compared to an all-time high of 131 families, approximately 500 individuals, seeking aid during Thanksgiving week. Volunteer Mitch Haugeberg emphasized the pantry’s commitment to addressing the growing need for quality food among the community. Read more on this McKenzie County Farmer story here.
