Population growth for Watford City: 274%

Watford City's population grew to 6,523 in 2017 according to US Census estimates. Of the 12 largest cities in North Dakota, Watford City has the biggest percentage growth from 2010 to 2017 at 274%. The next biggest percentage increases for the same time period include Williston at 74% and West Fargo at 38%. From 2016 to 2017, Watford City's population increased 105 or 1.6%.
Employers: Final day for completing workforce survey

In an effort to understand today's workforce needs, Governor Doug Burgum is encouraging all North Dakota employers to complete this survey. The survey launched two weeks ago, and today is the last day for survey completion.

“Workforce is one of the three pillars of our Main Street Initiative and the single biggest barrier to our economic growth, and we needed a new way of finding solutions to this critical challenge,” Burgum said in a press release. “The uniqueness of this approach is that it is based on priorities derived from detailed data and evidenced-based research. That’s why it’s so important for all North Dakota employers to complete this survey.”
One month away: The Bakken Conference & Expo

Finalization of the agenda is underway for when our Rough Rider Center will be welcoming hundreds of folks from throughout the state, country, and world for the Bakken Conference & Expo July 16-18th.

REGISTRATION: $150 off registration fees if registered before June 20. Registration is free for those a part of operating, active drilling, and completion companies.
Updated Economy at a Glance

Data has been updated for the June Economy at a Glance. Of note:

  • When comparing year-to-date 2017 numbers with year-to-date 2018 numbers all of the reporting categories are higher for 2018: Theodore Roosevelt National Park-North Unit visits; tax distributions for Watford City and Alexander and building permits for Watford City.
Ribbon cutting for healthcare facility

After years of planning, fundraising, and construction, McKenzie County Healthcare Systems Inc will be hosting a ribbon cutting and tours of its new facility starting at 2pm on June 22. The
$76 million complex includes a hospital, clinic, specialty clinic, urgent care, emergency services, outpatient surgery, and long-term care all under one roof. It is located at 709 4th Ave NE, Watford City.
Energy Hawks visit

As a part of a week-long tour of North Dakota's energy landscape, 12 Energy & Environmental Research Center "Energy Hawk" interns spent a day in McKenzie County earlier this month. While here they learned about the impacts the petroleum industry has had on areas such as education, law enforcement, county budgets, city services, social services, and more. Here they are pictured with North Dakota Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner who visited with them at our Rough Rider Center.
Best of the West Ribfest: August 10

The Watford City Chamber of Commerce will once again be hosting the annual Best of the West Ribfest. In addition to food vendors, a car show and other live music, country music megastar Craig Morgan will be performing on Main Street on August 10.
Ybarra to speak at TEDxFargo

Among speakers like the President of Microsoft and USA Women's Hockey Lamoureux twins, Watford City's Nick Ybarra will be speaking at TEDxFargo on July 26. Nick is the creator and director of the Badlands Race Series, consisting of eight annual events that are dubbed, “the raddest of races, in the baddest of places.” Nick founded the Save The Maah Daah Hey Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization that brought our country’s longest non-motorized, single-track trail back from extinction when the US Forest Service lost the funding and staff to maintain the trail.

Get your tickets here.
Instructors needed

The McKenzie County Skills Initiative brings together the University of Mary, Williston State College, TrainND, the Small Business Development Center and McKenzie County School District #1 to provide a variety of in-person training opportunities at the Rough Rider Center.

Currently, the University of Mary is looking for an accounting teacher, Williston State College is looking for an adult learning instructor who will teach General Education Diploma (GED) and English Language Learner (ELL) classes that are set to start this fall; and TrainND is looking for a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) instructor. For more information on what the positions entail, send an email to dstenberg@co.mckenzie.nd.us.
Entrepreneurial EcoSummit August 10

Would you like to learn new strategies for improving your community and supporting local entrepreneurs? If so, on Friday, August 10th, there will be a summit on entrepreneurial ecosystem development in Watford City.

The event is free to all North Dakotans and will feature speakers from across the state, including North Dakota Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford! At this workshop, attendees will learn why entrepreneurship matters, how to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem, as well as be able to network with other community and economic developers. The summit is sponsored by North Dakota Department of Commerce, the North Dakota Small Business Administration, the North Dakota Small Business Development Centers, and Fargo-based Emerging Prairie.

For more information, and to register visit here.
Ground broken for $21M Public Works Shop

Responding to needs that recent growth has brought to our community, county officials broke ground earlier this month for the new McKenzie County Public Works Shop. The nearly $21 million project will be located across the road from the McKenzie County Law Enforcement Center and its completion date is projected to be June 2019.
Global Leadership Summit

For the third year in a row, the Global Leadership Summit telecast will be coming to Watford City on August 9-10. Simon Sinek, John Maxwell, and Angela Ahrendts are among the speakers for the two-day summit based on Christian principles. Over 100 participants have participated in each of the last two years it has been telecast at the Watford City Assembly of God church.

Early bird registration is now available.
Special grant round for Outdoor Heritage Fund

The Outdoor Heritage Fund, overseen by the North Dakota Industrial Commission, added a special grant round, with applications due July 15. The fund provide grants to conservation projects throughout North Dakota and receives up to $40 million per biennium from taxes collected on oil and gas production.
Free BBQ in Alexander

The Williston Regional Economic Development Corporation is hosting a free BBQ lunch in the Alexander City Park on Wednesday, June 20 from 11:30am-1:00pm.
Art in the Park

Reviving a Homefest tradition, the Long X Arts Foundation will be hosting Art in the Park on Saturday, June 23 from 11am-6pm at the Watford City Children's Park on Main Street. The event feature s over 20 local musicians and artists, face painting, entertainment and free art activities for kids.
Check out the upcoming events like Homefest; Arnegard's 4th of July celebration; McKenzie County Fair and more, all listed on our community calendar .
View past issues of the monthly update here.