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McKenzie County's largest employers
McKenzie County School District #1 is considered the largest employer in McKenzie County in 2021, according to recently-released data from Job Service North Dakota. Rounding out the top five include ONEOK, Inc; McKenzie County Healthcare Systems; McKenzie County; and Kinder Morgan. To see the rest of McKenzie County's largest employers, other counties, or the state's, visit Job Service North Dakota's interactive dashboard.
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Preparing for the future
What will the energy landscape of western North Dakota be ten years from now? Will it be in a steady state of decline with our communities emptying back out, or will we have taken strategic advantage of the economic opportunities we have been given and be on a path to further diversification and economic prosperity? Strategic growth doesn’t just happen. Past success doesn’t ensure future success. It requires proactive community leaders understanding the potential challenges and opportunities of the future and planning accordingly. The Bakken Region: 2030 and beyond is providing an opportunity for leaders to discuss and prepare for our future. This event will take place on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 from 10-4:30pm. To see a draft agenda and to register visit here.
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Living & Thriving in McKenzie County
McKenzie County continues to see new residents move into our community. In an effort to provide connections and resources to those who are looking to get more involved in the community, there will be an event to help provide those connections. Living and Thriving in McKenzie County will be on Tuesday, October 11, from 6-8pm at the Rough Rider Center. While RSVP is requested through this article's link, there is no cost to attend.
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September economy at a glance
The September economy at a glance is now available. Some data of note include:
- Taxable sales and purchases increased from 2021Q2 to 2022Q2 for Watford City (up 6%); McKenzie County (up 9%); and North Dakota (up 11%).
- Landfill daily average for August 2021 was 60.3 tons in August 2022, it came in at 80.8 tons.
- McKenzie County's unemployment rate in July 2022 was 2.3%; in July 2021 it was 4.9%.
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Arts foundation awarded $300,000 grant
The Long X Arts Foundation is the recipient of a $300,000 grant payable over six years from Strengthen ND. The funds will go towards creating opportunities to use the arts to link community members with each other through various cultural connections--especially those who come from different backgrounds. Learn more about the project in this Williston Herald article.
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400+ expected for ND Petroleum Council
Over 400 attendees are expected for the North Dakota Petroleum Council annual meeting in Watford City on September 20-22. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation CEO Ed O'Keefe, Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford, North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms, and many more are slated to speak.
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Anytime Fitness grand opening
Anytime Fitness celebrated its new location in Watford City with a grand opening September 12, 2022. The gym is a nationwide brand that allows members to utilize their many locations throughout the country. Find them at 102 4th Ave SE, Watford City.
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Movie premiere
A red-carpet premiere for the movie Sanctified is coming to Watford City. Sanctified is an exciting, action-packed Western film set in the Badlands in 1890. It was produced and shot in North Dakota in May of last year, with many local North Dakotans serving as cast and crew.
The film will be showing at 2pm and 7pm on Saturday, October 8 at the Six Shooters Showhall in Watford City. At this premiere, the trailer for the End of the Rope--which was also shot in McKenzie County last year will also be debuted!
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Getting involved brochure
The McKenzie County Getting Involved brochure has been updated. The purpose of the brochure is to provide a resource that includes a wide array of ways to get involved into our community. It includes community organizations, houses of worship, annual events, as well as civic involvement opportunities. Check out the updated brochure here.
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Board game invention
Mitch Haugeberg, a McKenzie County resident, is looking to Kickstarter to fund the creation his first board game: Strike it Rich. It is described as a classic family-style board game that is simple to learn, fast-paced and educational. In order to make it into production, Haugeberg is needing to raise $7500 by October 4, 2022. Learn more and consider backing this project on Kickstarter.
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Uncrewed aircraft systems
Williston Economic Development is working to better understand opportunities for Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS). Their contractor has put together a short, no more than 5 minutes, survey to collect information on how companies could best use this emerging technology to not only support their business but also for the betterment of the community. The link will be active until the end of September.
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NDRA Champion-ship Finals
The 2022 North Dakota Rodeo Association Championship Finals is coming back to the McKenzie County Fairgrounds in Watford City, ND. Expect a fun, action packed weekend! The rodeos will be on Friday, September 23 at 7PM and Saturday, September 24 at 6PM.
In addition to the rodeo, there will be a wide variety of vendors under the big top tent. For more information contact Eva Hepper at 701-898-9801.
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6th Annual Comedy Cafe
The Comedy Cafe, which benefits the Bakken Oil Rush Thrift Store, is coming back for its annual event. This year's event includes stand-up comedian Tommy Ryman and John Bush. Ryman was a semifinalist on Season 8 on the TV show Last Comic Standing. Additonally, Ryman was invited to be on Nickelodeon’s NickMom Night Out and has a full comedy special on Dry Bar Comedy. John Bush has performed stand-up comedy on HBO, Comedy Central, as well as sketches on Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
The Comedy Café event serves as a fundraiser for Bakken Oil Rush Thrift Store, which provides one of the area’s only thrift stores to help people who are struggling to provide basic needs for their families. Catch it at 7pm on October 7 at the Watford City High School Performing Arts Center. More info here.
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Grant available
The McKenzie County Community Foundation is accepting applications for its annual grant. Local organizations are invited to apply for the McKenzie County Community Foundation annual grant. Over $11,000 is available to be awarded this year. Grant applications are accepted until September 30, 2022.
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Upcoming concert
The area concert series kicks off with favorites featuring the hits of “musical brothers” like Lennon & McCartney, Hall & Oats, The Righteous Brothers, The Beach Boys and many more! Hear a preview here. The concert will be at 7pm on September 28 at the Watford City Performing Arts Center. Visit the Concert Series webpage for more information on how to get a membership for the season or an individual ticket.
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Hispanic Heritage month
Ten percent of McKenzie County's population is Hispanic. A great way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month would be to catch the McKenzie County Mexican Folkloric Dancers perform at the Watford Market on September 22.
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September Job Fair
Looking for for a new job or want to see what the current labor market is like? Consider attending the NW North Dakota Semi-annual Job Fair on September 22, 2022 in Williston. It will run from 2-6pm on the campus of Williston State College. Click here to see which employers have signed up to participate.
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