Looking at Future Community Growth
As energy development expands in Western North Dakota, Bismarck- Mandan and Burleigh and Morton counties are anticipating continued growth. While many local leaders don’t expect drilling to reach the community or surrounding counties, with an ideal proximity to the oil fields, many ancillary services and individuals are making the area home.
With a steady influx of businesses and employees expected, local leaders believe now is the time to prepare for the future. “It is important we plan to get our cities positioned for the right response to …

By Kylie Blanchard, Clearwater Communications
The oil boom in Western North Dakota is generating a lot of income. The State coffers are filling fast and business tills are taking in extra income along with many individuals. But although money is coming in quickly for many businesses, it is also going out in the form of higher wages.
Since North Dakota’s Bakken activity erupted in 2005, employers in the western part of the state have been steadily increasing wages to both attract and retain employees for a variety of positions and services. Recently, …

By Dot Frank
Garrison Dam’s flood gates may have closed, but new flood gates have opened for local building supply centers and area contractors. ProBuild of Mandan is feeling the pressure of anxious construction companies and homeowners as they work hard to supply building needs at an aff ordable price and in a timely manner.
ProBuild General Manager Keith Doerr said that business has been brisk. Bismarck-Mandan flooding slowed construction down for a while, but now that the flood waters have receded, it is business as usual and then some. “At first …

By Kylie Blanchard, Clearwater Communications
Many issues impacting North Dakota businesses were discussed, debated and voted on during the 2011 legislative session, but a few key topics remain on the table for the upcoming special session scheduled to begin Nov. 7.
For the second time this year, state lawmakers will convene at the Capitol to tackle redistricting needs, health care reform and flood recovery. The session is expected to last five days and legislators will remain focused on a set agenda with few new bill introductions expected.
Interim Legislative Redistricting Committee members have …

The Bismarck Community Bowl Authority announced today that MDU Resources Group is the lead donor in the “Protect our Turf” campaign to renovate the Community Bowl. The company will donate $2 million through a 10-year agreement with the Bowl Authority and retain the right to extend the agreement from 2022 through 2032 for an additional $1 million. The venue will be known as the MDU Resources Community Bowl upon completion of the renovations.
“The Community Bowl is a tremendous resource for Bismarck and the surrounding region,” said Terry Hildestad, president and …

Flood’s impact will continue well into future
By Kylie Blanchard, Clearwater Communications
As releases from the Garrison Dam ease and the river begins to stabilize, local officials and Bismarck-Mandan residents are beginning to look toward flood recovery. However, the community remains on hold while the water and many unknowns linger, including the full reach of the river, when the water will recede and what will be left of the homes and land in its path.
The first challenge is we haven’t got out of the flood yet,” says Bismarck Mayor John Warford. “We …

Terry J. Kraft, an American Family Insurance agent in Mandan, ND, has been recognized for customer satisfaction excellence under the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Insurance Agency Program. Kraft joins other American Family agents who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to outstanding customer service. Kraft has been an agent for American Family since March 1984. His office is located at 2610 Old Red Trail in Mandan. He has qualified for this award for three consecutive years.

Sleepy Hollow Summer Theatre (SHST) will celebrate its 22nd season with shows from the 1960’s. BEEHIVE, directed by Bismarck native Dan Walstad, features the danceable music of the 60’s from the Supremes through Janis Joplin. Production nights are July 11-14, 19-21 and 26-28.
Complimenting this is the groundbreaking, first rock musical, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, directed by Adam Pankow. Pankow is a North Dakota native currently teaching English and theatre in West Fargo. Production nights are July 15-18, 22-25 and 29-31.
SHST President Stephanie Delmire states, “These are wildly divergent productions of both …

Two of the state’s top Soldiers forged through an exhausting four-day competition to be named the “Best Warriors” in the region at Camp Grafton Training Center, Devils Lake, N.D., June 5-8.
Sgt. Joel Erickson, of West Fargo, N.D., and a member of Detachment 1, 188th Engineer Company (Vertical), based out of Oakes, is the winner of the Region VI Best Warrior Competition in the non-commissioned officer category. In the enlisted-level competition, Spc. Ryan Lindberg, of Fargo, N.D., and a member of the 817th Engineer Company (Sapper), based out of Jamestown, took …

North Dakota Tourism unveiled its freshly designed 2011 marketing materials. The 2011Travel Guide and Hunting & Fishing Guide are some of the tools North Dakota Tourism uses to entice travelers to visit North Dakota. Also unveiled was the 2011-12 State Map, created in cooperation with the North Dakota Department of Transportation.
“These marketing publications showcase North Dakota’s rich arts, culture, history, attractions and scenery, and highlight all there is to see and do across our state,” said Gov. Jack Dalrymple. “Visitors and residents alike will enjoy our legendary tourism off erings, …

2010 was another busy but successful year for the North Dakota National Guard.
As the Global War on Terrorism enters its tenth year, our North Dakota Soldiers and Airmen continued to serve in Iraq, Afghanistan and a dozen other nations across the globe and here at home.
This past year North Dakota welcomed home more than 850 Soldiers and Airmen. This total includes some 650 Soldiers that served in Kosovo and surrounding region. This historic mission was the largest North Dakota National Guard mobilization since the Korean War era. Led by Brig. …