By Kylie Blanchard, Clearwater Communications

The Chamber Championed, challenged and tracked many bills impacting local business at the 61st Legislative Session

The 61st Legislative Session spanned a record 79 of a possible 80 days, and extended into May for the first time in history. The state also experienced a budget surplus and the infusion of federal stimulus dollars, which provided legislators the opportunity to increase funding to various programs.

The Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce collaborated with local officials, business leaders and community members to ensure top business priorities were supported during the session. The following summarizes legislation the Chamber supported and its effect on the area’s business community.

Taxes The Chamber promoted tax relief that eased the burden on area businesses and residents, and promoted economic development. The legislature passed $295 million in property tax relief through a reduction of the state levy by an average of 75 mills. This reduction will benefit area homeowners, farmers and commercial businesses. Representative RaeAnn Kelsch of Mandan says providing tax relief also can affect a community’s economy.

“If you give people the relief, maybe now they will turn around and put the money back into the community.” The state’s tax relief package also included a $90 million reduction in state individual taxes, and a $10 million reduction in corporate income taxes to further boost the state’s economy and competitiveness in drawing businesses to the North Dakota.

Infrastructure
As Bismarck-Mandan continues to grow, greater demands are placed on community infrastructure. This year’s harsh winter and spring further strained area roadways.

Throughout the session, the Chamber advocated for additional infrastructure funding. Legislators responded by providing $1.4 billion in funding for the Department of Transportation. This will equate to a 100 percent increase in funding for Bismarck-Mandan infrastructure, and will repair and maintain roadways.

The improvement projects also will create jobs. “This will have a direct impact on our economy because there will be significant road construction across the state this year,” says Kelvin Hullet, president of the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber also supported shared extraterritorial jurisdiction. This issue was discussed extensively during the 2007-2008 interim, and a bill passed creating joint jurisdiction between cities and counties when making zoning decisions. Cities with a population exceeding 25,000, including Bismarck, will now regulate the inner two miles of the set four mile zone and co-regulate the outer two miles with the county.

Workforce Development
Funding for workforce development programs was promoted through support of the Department of Commerce bill. This bill provided $1 million for Workforce Enhancement Grants to assist targeted industry employers with training needs.

Funding for Operation Intern was increased by $300,000 to a total of $900,000 and included new internships and apprenticeships. Innovate ND funding was doubled to $400,000 to expand the program, and $2.5 million was allocated to support innovation and entrepreneurship, including $1 million for a new Technology-Based Entrepreneurship Grant Program.

A total of $1.75 million was designated for child care provider grants and will aid in expanding child care options for working families throughout the state. The Chamber also supported the Centers of Excellence program included in the final Commerce bill.

A total of $20 million was allocated to the program, with $5 million contingent upon the revenues collected by the state during July through December 2009 exceeding projections by at least $5 million. The funding provided for this program will continue to empower the state’s growing economy and business community, as well as develop education programs.

“With the Centers of Excellence, you are looking at more research and the expansion of the higher education system,” says Kelsch.

A bill, supported by the Chamber, also was passed to fund the renovation of the Bismarck State College Career Technical Education Center. Bismarck Public Schools is investing $12 million to build a new career technical center on the BSC campus, and BSC will now renovate its current career technical center to increase its capacity.

“With the skill set that is needed in North Dakota, those careers are always in demand,” says David Straley, manager of government and public affairs/ North Dakota operations for North American Coal. “We need to fill the capacity for training students in those areas. This is another way our K-12 and higher education is working together to _ill a need in North Dakota.”

Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI)
The Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce teamed up with the North Dakota Chamber and other businesses to present a united front on more than 40 WSI bills introduced this session. The coalition advocated for the long term stability and viability of the organization, and promoted legislation that ensured premiums were set at actuarially sound levels; the reserve fund was maintained at a strong level; and the WSI advisory board provided formal recommendations to the Governor regarding premium levels, premium dividend distributions, legislation affecting the agency and fund investment allocation. It was important to all supporters to protect the day-to-day operations of the agency from political pressures. “From the business community standpoint, we want to see workers taken care of in an efficient, effective and fair manner,” says Straley. “I think the bills that were passed improved all of these areas.”

Specific Projects and Programs
The Chamber also supported legislation to fund specific projects including the Great Plains Applied Energy Technology Center. The legislature provided $5 million, upon the successful completion of a feasibility study, toward the creation of the center.

A proposed building site is located on the Bismarck State College campus. Supporters believe the center will integrate the research and work of area energy companies and universities, and draw additional jobs and educational opportunities into the community. Hullet says the center is an opportunity to strengthen North Dakota’s future.

“Once the facility is up and running, we think it will have a very big impact on the economy of Bismarck- Mandan and North Dakota.” The Chamber also was the lead private advocate for the USS North Dakota submarine, which was appropriated $100,000 for its related activities.

The Chamber also supported funding for the State Heritage Center expansion project, which received $39 million. Both of these projects will draw additional visitors to the state and into the Bismarck-Mandan community.

Working to Keep North Dakota Business Strong
“The North Dakota legislature always tries to keep North Dakota business as strong as we can across the state,” says Kelsch.

“I think there were a lot of great things passed this session that will have an impact on business.”

The Chamber supported legislation that invested in economic, community and workforce development. And, Chamber leaders believe the key business legislation passed this session will directly impact the Bismarck-Mandan community and continue to make North Dakota one of the strongest states in the nation.