Plans have been in the works for years to relocate the McKenzie County Fairgrounds due to its current landlocked location and insufficient facilities for our growing community. Approximately 210 acres were purchased last year just inside the Highway 85 bypass southwest of Watford City to provide for a new location. In April, the McKenzie County Commissioners approved $40 million towards the project. Current plans for the first phase include a 30,000 square foot exhibit hall, 56,000 square foot livestock arena, and an outdoor arena with a covered grandstand.

Forty-two houses have been accepted into the McKenzie County JDA Housing Development Subsidy Program as of May 14, 2021. With that, $125,000 remains to be allocated out of the $2,000,000 in program funding. The JDA board has recently indicated there is not interest in seeking more funds to the program, so once that allocation runs out, applications will no longer be accepted.

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

The Veterans Memorial Park project continues on with the final phase of its plan. Phase one was completed in 2019 with 12 granite monuments containing the names of McKenzie County veterans, flags and recognition of the branches of the US military. When completed, it will also include a stainless steel eternal flame, more flags and benches. The park is located near the intersection of Park Ave E and and 2nd St NE in Watford City.

In person events are getting back into full swing and many McKenzie County businesses and representatives were at the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference last week in Bismarck. McKenzie County is excited to welcome the North Dakota Petroleum Council to our community with two upcoming events they are planning:

The Foundation Committee has made $8,000 available to fund community or organization projects. In the last round, grant awards ranged from $1,000 to $1,500. The deadline for submission is June 30. The Vision West ND Foundation created the grant program to support the activities of the areas served by the consortium. The mission is to award grants that contribute to the well-being of the communities within the Vision West ND region. All consortium members in good standing are eligible to apply. Find more info here.

The Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation has a new interpretive center. It will be unveiled to the public on Wednesday May 19 starting at 10:30am. Find them at 9386 Highway 23 west of New Town, ND.

With 20 years of experience as a firefighter and company officer, Mark vonAppen will be leading a FULLY INVOLVED seminar in McKenzie County. FULLY INVOLVED is rooted in improving team performance and has application in both the public and private sectors. This program has worked for over 40 years in professional football, the fire service, and applies to the business world as well. Hundreds of fire service professionals have attended the FULLY INVOLVED Leadership Seminars and are now among the involved. There is no cost for attending this event which will be on Sunday, June 6 from 2-5pm at the Rough Rider Center.

Welcome Summer the North Dakota way--listening to great music on the tailgate of your pickup or in your favorite lawn chair surrounded by friends, good food and cold drinks. The Long X Arts Foundation and the Rough Rider Center are excited to team up to bring you the Waddington Brothers--a great bluegrass band from south western North Dakota with local opener, Jessie Veeder and her band. Bring your lawn chair, back up your pickup or sit in the comfort of your own car and tune into the concert on the Waddington Brothers' own FM radio station! The party will take place June 10, 6:30-9:30pm in the parking lot of the Rough Rider Center. Admission is a free will donation.

Volunteers from throughout McKenzie County are cleaning ditches this week in an effort to Pick up the Patch. For more information or to participate contact Kylee Roff at KyleeR@roughridercenter.com

The LifeLight Christian festival is coming back to our community this year. This year's entertainment will include Building 429,

7eventh Time Down, Zero Gravity Outreach, and much more. The event will be held Saturday, June 5, starting at 1pm at the Rough Rider Center.

Wolf Pup Preschool is getting a new mural on their building and folks are invited to view it. This Friday May 21, the mural artist will be available from 3:30-6:00pm in the parking lot of the preschool located at 212 2nd St NE, Watford City, ND.