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North Dakota Badlands listed in National Geographic’s Best of the World

North Dakota Badlands
Graphic courtesy of ND Commerce

National Geographic recently unveiled its annual Best of the World list for 2026. The locations were carefully selected by National Geographic’s editors, photographers, and travel experts. Featured on the list of 25 locations from around the world is the Badlands of North Dakota.

North Dakota Director of Tourism and Marketing Sara Otte Coleman said, “We’re thrilled to see our North Dakota Badlands recognized by National Geographic as one of the Best of the World destinations for 2026. This global spotlight affirms what we’ve always known—our North Dakota Badlands are bold, breathtaking, and unforgettable.”

Alongside the Badlands were other incredible locations, including the Italian Dolomites, the Finnish city of Oulu, and Akagera National Park in Rwanda. The complete list can be found on National Geographic’s website, and you can see North Dakota Commerce’s press release here.

 

 

About National Geographic Content

Representing the largest brand on social media with over 780 million followers and 1.1 billion impressions each month, National Geographic Content’s award-winning and critically acclaimed storytelling inspires fans of all ages to connect with, explore and care about the world through factual storytelling. National Geographic Content, part of a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, reaches over 532 million people worldwide in 172 countries and 33 languages as a digital, social and print publisher and across the global National Geographic channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO), National Geographic Documentary Films, and direct-to-consumer platforms Disney+ and Hulu.

Its diverse content includes Oscar®-and BAFTA award-winning film Free Solo, Oscar-nominated films Sugarcane, Fire of Love and Bobi Wine: The People’s President, Emmy® Award-winning franchise 9/11: One Day in America and JFK: One Day in America, Emmy® Award-winning series Animals Up Close, series Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, Life Below Zero and Secrets of the Whales, in addition to multiple National Magazine Awards, Pulitzer Prize Finalists and Webby wins. Visit nationalgeographic.com and natgeotv.com or explore Instagram, Threads, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok and Reddit.

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Watford City Events Website is One-Stop Site for Local Events

Watford City offers a great tool for residents and visitors looking to stay up to date on what’s happening in Watford City. Watford City Events is a community calendar that highlights local events, activities, and gatherings to let you see what’s happening each week. It is a go-to destination for anyone looking to plan their weekend, promote a local event, or discover something new happening in town. The website also features an option for local organizations, groups, and businesses to submit their events for free. The site is updated regularly and aims to provide a broad overview of Watford City events without requiring users to search across multiple platforms or websites.

With a strong focus on community connection, the platform continues to support local engagement and participation by making event information accessible to everyone.

To view upcoming events or submit your own, visit www.watfordcityevents.com.

Watford City Events

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McKenzie County Commits $5 Million to Bakken Area Skills Center Endowment

At the September 16th County Commissioners meeting, the commissioners agreed to grant $5 million to the Bakken Area Skills Center (BASC) endowment fund. The request was sent to the commissioners after the Job Development Authority (JDA) Board decided that the goals of the BASC align with the JDA goals of economic diversification and workforce development. Dr. Wayne Heckaman, Director of the BASC, presented to the commissioners on the center’s importance to the area and everything they’ve been doing for its students.

The $5 million endowment will be established through the North Dakota Community Foundation and will consist of annual disbursements to the BASC from the fund. The funds will be used for launching new high-demand programs, equipping labs with industry-grade simulators and tools, and attracting top-tier instructors with competitive packages. Dr. Heckaman believes that by developing a skilled workforce locally, McKenzie County will be able to retain more students after they begin their careers. You can watch the presentation and discussion at the county commissioner’s meeting on their Vimeo page.

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Additional Funding Approved for Down Payment Assistance Program

The McKenzie County Commission has approved adding an additional $2 million in funding towards the JDA Housing Down Payment Assistance Program. Since launching in February 2025, 79 homes have become a part of the program. The program provides up to $40,000 in down payment assistance towards the purchase of a newly-constructed house, and up to $15,000 towards the purchase of an existing house. See webpage for complete details and application.

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City of Watford City Embarks on Official City Branding Initiative

Watford City is excited to announce the launch of a new official city branding project, a significant step towards shaping the city’s future identity. This initiative aims to develop a strong, cohesive brand that reflects the spirit and evolution of Watford City, a place that has seen remarkable transformation over the past two decades. The project’s goal is to create a brand that not only represents city government but also fosters a deeper sense of community among residents.

To lead this important effort, The City of Watford City is partnering with The Good Kids, a renowned brand agency based in Bismarck, ND. The Good Kids are known for work on statewide projects, such as The North Dakota Tourism icon project, and local brands such as The Merc at Long X and The Living in McKenzie County magazine and podcast.

Together, representatives from the city and The Good Kids will embark on a comprehensive process to craft a brand guide that captures the essence of this vibrant community. This guide will serve as a foundational tool, ensuring consistency and clarity in all official communications and initiatives as the official City of Watford City “logo”, while helping to articulate what makes Watford City a unique and desirable place to live, work, and visit.

A crucial component of this project is community engagement. Before any creative development begins, there will be a community engagement survey to gather feedback directly from residents. Your insights are invaluable in helping your city government understand what makes Watford City special to you, what you envision for its future, and what elements should be represented in our new brand. This is an opportunity for every resident to contribute to the narrative of our city. Watford City has changed dramatically since its current logo and brand were established. This new branding project is an opportunity to honor the past while embracing the present and future.

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Get in Touch

Cauy Hartel
McKenzie County Economic Development
100 2nd Ave SW, Suite A
Watford City, ND 58854
701-444-8855
chartel@co.mckenzie.nd.us

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