June 2021
State LIFT program launches new application process

The Innovation Technology Loan Fund (LIFT) is an innovation loan fund to support technology advancement. The purpose is to provide financing for commercialization of intellectual property within the State of ND for industries such as:
  • Advanced computing and data management
  • Agriculture technology
  • Autonomous and unmanned vehicles and related technologies
  • Energy
  • Health care
  • Value-added agriculture
  • Value-added energy
  • Any industry or area specifically identified by the committee as an industry that will contribute to the diversification of the state’s economy.

Learn more by visiting: https://www.business.nd.gov/lift/
June Economy at a Glance

The June Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note:
  • McKenzie County's unemployment rate for April 2021 is 4.1% in March 2021 it was 4.8%

  • McKenzie County Landfill daily average for 2020 was 95.92 tons, in 2019 it was 128.55 tons.

  • Farmers Prices Received Index (2011 Base) jumped from 98.3 in March 2021 to 105.1 in April 2021.
All industries job fair

Save the date! Job Service North Dakota will be holding a job fair in Williston on September 16, 2021 from 2-6pm. For more information visit here.

Employer registration deadline is September 3rd.
Technical skills training grant available

The North Dakota Department of Commerce is now accepting applications for the Technical Skill Training Grant. Although a wide range of programs may qualify, Commerce anticipates that skilled trades and labor training programs are well-suited to develop accelerated programming or expand capacity in existing programs. 
 
Commerce was allocated $1 million by the 67th Legislative Assembly to administer the Technical Skills Training Grant to support accelerated, skills-based and hands-on workforce training programs.  Click here for more information.
 
County Fair this week

The McKenzie County Fair runs this week--June 17 through June 19th.

Lots of activities are scheduled including a
free barbecue and draft horse competition on Thursday, demolition derby and livestock sale on Friday, and NDRA rodeo and live music on Saturday.
Arnegard 4th of July

The Arnegard Boosters will be once again hosting their annual 4th of July Celebration in Arnegard. Events include a 5K fun run, parade, beef barbecue, cornhole tournament, street dance by the Terry Waugh Band, and fireworks at night. Visit here for more info.
Watford City Homefest

Watford City’s Main Street will be hopping July 16-18, with Homefest weekend kicking off on Friday evening at 5 p.m. and running late into Saturday night. Street dances, music, food and vendors are ready for the reunion weekend as former Watford City High School students and residents make their annual trek back to their hometown.
Bakken Rocks Cookfest in Arnegard

The North Dakota Petroleum Council will be hosting their Bakken Rocks Cookfest from 2-7pm on July 13th at the Nelson Park in Arnegard.  CookFest is a FREE, family-friendly event that includes free food, live music, games and activities for kids, information booths and seminar about the oil and natural gas industry, and more!