North Dakota - Bismarck/Mandan Development Association

BMDA Highlights 1/15/10


ND Congressional delegation announces ARRA funds for Schuff Steel - Based on an earlier press release by President Obama, the joint North Dakota Congressional delegation issued a press release announcing the Schuff Steel Company had been awarded $7,073,316 in tax credits through the federal economic recovery package to establish a new wind turbine tower manufacturing facility in Bismarck. Schuff Steel Company is headquartered in Phoenix, AZ. The tax credits come through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 with funds appropriated by Congress. Schuff Steel subsequently provided the following press release outlining the project and process in more detail. Read the Schuff press release here.



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Week of political press releases - North Dakotans take government and politics very seriously. Our ability to “reach out and touch” our political leaders from the time they announce they are going to run for a particular office is something we hold dear. This past week heard numerous political announcements. The first was Governor John Hoeven, who on Monday formally announced his candidacy for the US Senate seat being vacated by retiring US Senator Byron Dorgan. A crowd of approximately 350 supporters cheered the Governor on. On Thursday morning, Dr. John Warford, Bismarck’s two-term mayor, announced he will be running for a third term. His supporters were equal in enthusiasm to those of Governor Hoeven. Also announcing his candidacy on Thursday for North Dakota’s lone US House seat in Congress was Public Service Commissioner Kevin Cramer. He will run against Congressman Earl Pomeroy who was first elected to the seat in 1992. Also, both Bismarck City Commissioner Parrell Grossman and Burleigh County Assistant State’s Attorney Cynthia Feland have announced their intentions to seek the office of South Central District judgeship, which was most recently held by Bob Wefald who has retired.



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Korean investment delegation visits Bismarck - A delegation of 11 Korean investors, including a number of spouses, arrived in Bismarck on Wednesday’s 4:15 pm flight to begin a three-day whirl wind tour of several locations around the state related to the possibility of FK Partners building a processing facility somewhere in North Dakota. We have reported on this project since it was in its infancy a year ago. At this time it appears the project is gaining momentum and the need to begin supplying at least a limited amount of North Dakota beef to Korean consumers is the driving issue. A group of Bismarck and Mandan business and political leaders will help the BMDA host the Korean delegation for a North Dakota prime rib beef dinner on Friday evening.



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Bismarck Public Schools looking for input - You can now go online to www.bismarckschools.org under “Upcoming Events” and take a survey to help the school board and search firm develop a profile of qualities desired of the next superintendent to be hired for Bismarck Public Schools. The deadline is noon on Thursday, January 21st. Thanks for being a part of this process. Your input is valuable!



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Junior Achievement - This week Richard held his first meeting with one of the two Junior Achievement classes that he is working with in 2010. This year Richard is teaching a 4th Grade class about Our Region and a 3rd Grade class about Our City. The Junior Achievement program allows BMDA a chance to visit with some of our younger residents and to speak with them about the things that make our community special.



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Mandan retail marketing plan - This past week Richard assembled a draft marketing plan focused on BMDA’s efforts to help Mandan redevelop their downtown. The plan includes a implementation element of the Mandan Tomorrow Strategic plan. Also included with plan is a targeted outreach of potential retail and restaurant uses, utilizing direct contact, electronic mailings and direct mailings. The plan also includes plans for BMDA to work with Mandan to disseminate updated information to potential entrepreneurs about the available franchise opportunities in the community.



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Mandan Tomorrow 2010 priorities presentation - The Mandan Tomorrow Committee will present its 2010 implementation priorities and goals on January 18th at 5:30 pm at the Mandan Middle School Cafetorium.

A quorum of the members of the Mandan City Commission, Mandan Park Board, Mandan School Board and Morton County Commission may be present as all have been invited to attend.

The agenda includes a presentation of Mandan Tomorrow 2010 implementation priorities and goals. Committee members will be available to receive public input and hear general comments.



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SCORE – SBA sponsored workshops – Workshops on “Starting or Expanding a Business – A Plan for Success” will be held January 20th, February 17th and March 17th. Classes are held at the Bank of North Dakota, beginning at 6:30 pm and ending at 9:30 pm. Cost for the session is $20. Click here for more details on the workshops.



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Request for Proposal - This week, the BMDA responded to a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the North Dakota Department of Commerce. The details of the RFP are confidential at this point; however, we'll keep you informed of our progress and release more information when available.



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“Strategies for Community Prosperity” webinars available – BMDA will be particiapating in the he Heartland Center for Leadership Development’s webinar series with the theme "Strategies for Community Prosperity." The five-part webinar series will begin in January and conclude in May with the following schedule and topics:

- January 21st : Rural Communities Can Thrive in the 21st Century

- February 18th: Entrepreneurial Coaching – From Crisis to Economic Growth

- March 18th: Plowing New Ground – Refreshed Leadership Development for Revitalized Economics

- April 15th: Energized Youth – Energized Communities

- May 20th: People Count – Rebuilding Communities with People Attraction Strategies



Each webinar will start at 12:00 pm and end at 1:00 pm. Contact the BMDA at 701-222-5530 for details on viewing the webinars.



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Active rig counts up - According to a story by the AP, the number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. rose by 28 this week to 1,248.

Houston-based Baker Hughes, Inc. said 811 rigs were exploring for natural gas and 425 for oil. Twelve were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week, the rig count stood at 1,568.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas gained 15 rigs, North Dakota and West Virginia each gained four, Louisiana and Oklahoma each gained three and New Mexico gained one. Alaska and Wyoming each lost two rigs, California and Colorado each lost one while Arkansas and Pennsylvania were unchanged.

The rig count tally peaked at 4,530 in 1981, during the height of the oil boom. The industry posted a record low of 488 in 1999.



North Dakota currently has 80 active drilling rigs.



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Jobs available in the oil patch - If you are interested in the jobs in the oil patch, whether just out of curiosity or because you might know someone who might be looking for a job, this week’s list of openings can be viewed here.



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