McKenzie County welcomes Ukrainian workers

Last week, McKenzie County received three Ukrainian individuals who came to work in the Bakken oilfield through the Bakken GROW (Global Recruitment of Oilfield Workers) program. The county is excited to have these individuals in the workforce and the community.

The GROW Program was launched by the North Dakota Petroleum Council earlier this year and has already placed 50 Ukrainian immigrants with employers in western North Dakota. McKenzie County is expected to receive more Ukrainians in the upcoming months. Read more on the program here.

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Watford City’s growing Hispanic community highlighted in Scripps News video

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Scripps News traveled to Watford City, ND to highlight the rising Hispanic population in the town and surrounding area. Watch the YouTube video here.

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YouTube influencers visit the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Maah Daah Hey Trail

The famous YouTube series “BackpackingTV” made a trip to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park – North Unit to hike the Badlands, ride the Maah Daah Hey Trail and visit the surrounding area of Watford City and Tobacco Gardens Resort. Click here to watch the YouTube video.

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Main Street ND Summit 2023

The Main Street ND Summit will be in Watford City on October 24-25 where attendees will have the opportunity to connect, learn, get inspired, and gain insight to build and grow their community for the future. This year’s annual event theme will be Innovative Workforce Solutions, and ND Governor Doug Burgum will be in town to kickoff the event. The morning keynote speaker is Eric Termuende and the afternoon keynote is Rebecca Sanborn Stone. Click here to learn more and register for free!

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McKenzie County Public School District #1 sees boost in enrollment

McKenzie County School District #1 has seen another boost in its enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year. Last year’s academic year saw the school district surpass 2,000 students, with a count of 2,003. As of September 7, 2023, the enrollment was at 2,129 students, continuing its record growth.

Read more here.

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Watford City High School receives grant to fund a mural project

Thanks to a successful grant application to the NDCA’s Arts in Education Collaboration (AIEC), Watford City High School will showcase stunning mural designs throughout the school. In collaboration with the Long X Arts Foundation, six distinctive murals will help establish a sense of pride and beauty into the school’s hallways, each representing various departments: Science, Math, English, and Social Studies, alongside a vibrant representation of the school’s wolf mascot. Led by the talented artist Morgan Wagner, 250 students and community members lent an artistic hand to help paint the murals.

Read more on the Watford City High School’s mural project here.

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September 2023 Economy at a Glance

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

  • McKenzie County’s July 2023 labor force was 10,272; July 2022 it was 9,355.
  • The LoadPass permits for McKenzie County in August 2023 was 2,877; in August 2022 it was 2,281.
  • The taxable sales and purchases for McKenzie County in 2023 Q2 was $87,335,456; in 2022 Q2 it was $66,112,182.
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New steakhouse opens in Watford City

Watford City has gained a new steakhouse named HM’s Steakhouse, which opened in late August 2023. The menu includes everything from delicious hand cut steaks and chicken to pastas and a kid’s menu. The restaurant is located at the former Dakotan restaurant at 604 2nd Ave SW. Call 701-444-2001 to make a reservation and visit their website to check out the menu!

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New general surgeon joins McKenzie Health

Dr. Gillian Lavik, General Surgeon, has joined McKenzie Health and will be starting on October 2, 2023. Dr. Lavik, a native of Rugby, ND, graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences in 2010, completing pre-medical education at Macalester College in Minnesota. Her internship and residency were completed at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, NY, where she served as Chief Resident in her graduate year. Her advanced skill include experience in surgical oncology, breast surgery, abdominal surgeries, and minimally invasive options for a wide range of procedures. Dr. Lavik is married with three children and enjoys all that the outdoors has to offer.

Appointments in the Specialty Clinic can be made by calling 701-444-8730.

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New family doctor joins McKenzie Health

McKenzie Health has gained a new Family Medicine Physician, Dr. Lee Kiedrowski, who started seeing patients at the Rural Health Clinic on September 5, 2023. Dr. Kiedrowski obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in May 2008 from NDSU in Biotechnology and Microbiology. In May 2014, he earned his Masters of Science Degree in International Infectious Disease Management and Biosecurity, also from NDSU. He obtained his Medical Degree in May 2018 from UND, then became board certified in Family Medicine in April 2021. Prior to joining McKenzie Health, Dr. Kiedrowski served as a Family Medicine Physician at CHI St. Alexius Health in Dickinson, ND.

To make an appointment with Dr. Kiedrowski, call 701-842-3771.

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Get in Touch

Daniel Stenberg
McKenzie County Economic Development
100 2nd Ave SW, Suite A
Watford City, ND 58854
701-444-8856
dstenberg@co.mckenzie.nd.us

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