Bismarck-Mandan Development Association in North Dakota

BMDA Highlights - 1/16/09
As we head into the third weekend of January 2009, we find the 2009 Legislature working its way to the end of its second week of activity. We also found this week to have been one of record breaking snow falls (5.3 inches on January 13 for a total of 60 inches this season) and also the coldest day of the year here in Bismarck at a minus 44 on the 15th. At those extremes, looking at the thermometer is a little like looking at hot horse shoes. It really does not take all that long.

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The Twentieth Annual Marketplace was held here in Bismarck starting with a number of meetings on January 13th and a well-attended reception, followed by a full slate of educational sessions on the 14th along with some very interesting exhibits. Another successful event with kudos to Senator Kent Conrad and Ag Commissioner Roger Johnson and all of their supporting staff.

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Also, on January 14th the City of Bismarck, with the support of a number of other public and private organizations including the BMDA, announced its plans to pursue the creation of the GREAT PLAINS APPLIED RESEARCH CENTER. In doing so, the City is moving forward to secure future economic development centered on one of our greatest strengths . . . energy. In the Executive Summary of this project which was released by the City this week, the City of Bismarck will strive to create an Applied Research Center that further enhances and develops our National Energy Center of Excellence headquartered on the Bismarck State College campus. This center will accomplish the following goals for our city and region.



1 - Create an application center led by Energy Scholars who combine existing research to provide solutions enhancing the competitive edge of energy companies that support this community.



2 - Capitalize on the new Federal Administration energy development priorities to bring applied research dollars to our community.



3 - Create an environment that encourages other energy technology based companies to move into our community and grow future jobs.



4 - Provide energy companies opportunities to partner with Sandia National Laboratory and NDSU in the development of cutting-edge, commercially viable technologies for national and global deployment.



5 - Create a reason for all regional research universities to be in Bismarck driving the following:

a - Engineering and science advanced degree programs

b - Opportunity for us to develop new companies based on the application of research

c - Opportunities for us to bring research jobs to our community



Obviously, there is a great deal of effort yet to be expended in making this dream a reality; however, with the energy base which exists in Bismarck-Mandan this is a very natural course to follow. Success in this effort to create the Great Plains Applied Research Center in Bismarck will lead to growth in a whole new growth of energy related projects ranging from coal, oil and gas, and all of the renewable energy sources. We will continue to report on this project as it moves forward.

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This week the BMDA developed and submitted to the Morton County Auditor a new working agreement between Morton County and the BMDA. The purpose of this agreement will be to define the kinds of assistance we will provide to the five rural communities in Morton County. This includes Almont, Flasher, Glen Ullin, Hebron and New Salem. The details of service are based on meetings which the BMDA and the County Commissioners had with each of these communities. Projects include things like develop new web sites, Renaissance Zones, tourism connected to development of the Old Red Trail, attracting more out of state hunters in the fall, a new motel in one community, assistance to a number of different existing businesses throughout the County and much more.

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One issue which the BMDA is concentrating on is that of workforce quality and quantity. As we all know, North Dakota is one of very few states in the nation that has not fallen under the difficulties of the recession which is hanging on the balance of the nation. That is not to say we are not feeling effects in some areas, because we are. Generally, we hear of problems coming through those North Dakota companies who market goods or services into the national market. The down turn in those markets comes back to North Dakota in the form of reduced business volumes. Somehow the discussion of shortage of workforce always seems to creep into these discussions, yet when we talk to various employers about participating in national job fairs we get little or no interest in participating. When we bring back dozens of resumes from what appear to be well qualified job seekers, we find little interest from the various companies we distribute the resumes to. Consequently we are contemplating a short workforce survey via email to a mixture of companies. The intent of this survey is to find out if there is a workforce problem and if there is, what is it. Our economy here in Bismarck-Mandan and the State of North Dakota has been doing very well compared to that of other communities in other states. The BMDA wants to be sure that Bismarck-Mandan’s positive economic environment is not brought to a grinding halt by a problem in the workforce. PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND RESPOND IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE ONE OF THE COMPANIES WHO IS SELECTED TO RECEIVE ONE OF THE WORKFORCE SURVEYS. This will be a very brief online survey that will only take a couple of minutes to complete.

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Another workforce development issue involves Monster.com. BMDA has been in discussions with Monster.com over the past couple of months about a project that would assist in locating employees for some hard-to-fill positions employers in Bismarck-Mandan may have. We have received the full proposal from Monster.com and have a conference call scheduled with them next week. Bismarck-Mandan would be the pilot program for a community to use the Monster.com program, and the energy industry may develop a pilot program for an industry to use the program. If successful, such a program may be launched statewide. The ND Department of Commerce brought the project to BMDA and the energy industry, and will be involved in sharing the cost of the pilot programs.

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We have some updated information with regard to growth in the community’s employment, worksites, average annual wage, and median household income. The first three things on that list come from Job Service North Dakota’s area profiles.

Annual Average Employment increased 1,143 from 2006 to 2007 for employment of 56,494 in 2007. The net increase from 2002 through 2007 is 6,854.
The number of worksites has shown a net increase of 670 over that same period, from 3,138 in 2002 to 3,808 in 2007.
The 2007 average annual wage for the Bismarck-Mandan MSA is reported at $34,386, or $16.53 per hour. This is up from 2006’s average of $32,839, or $15.79 per hour. The overall increase from 2002 to 2007 is $6,280 annually, or $3.02 per hour.


The median household income figures come from the American Community Survey (ACS) from the US Census Bureau. Figures from 2005, 2006, and 2007 show a fairly large increase for the Bismarck metro area. Below are the median household income estimates for the Bismarck, Fargo, and Grand Forks MSAs for 2005, 2006, and 2007



Median Household Income


2007
2006
2005

Bismarck MSA
$50,588
$47,467
$41,252

Fargo MSA
$44,551
$46,188
$44,108

Grand Forks MSA
$43,956
$40,716
$41,519

Source: US Census, American Community Survey (ACS)










Finishing touches are being put on the Mandan Industrial Sites Inventory and the Mandan Retail Site Location Report. Both reports will be presented to the Mandan City Commission at its February 3rd meeting with recommendations to the City. Related to the industrial sites inventory, John Rogers of the Economic Development Administration met with BMDA staff this week to discuss possible next steps and funding options after the identification of potential industrial sites in Mandan is complete.

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Other projects moving into the final stages are the Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) annual summary for 2008 as well as the BMDA annual report. Both will be available at the annual meeting on February 19th. Both will also be presented to the City and County Commissions.

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BMDA’s booth will be set up at the 30th Annual Energy Generation Conference at the Bismarck Civic Center January 27 – 29. BMDA staff are contacting EGC exhibitors in an attempt to schedule meetings with those energy-related companies that may be looking to locate or expand their operations in Bismarck-Mandan. Other trade shows on the calendar include the Data Center World Conference in March and Windpower 2009 later in May.

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And finally, we are all looking forward to a weekend of temps above the zero mark and no snow falling from the sky . . . .let’s hope the forecasts hold up.