December Connection

Connection DECEMBER 2023

WWW.BISMARCKMANDAN.COM

THE

JOY

of

GIVING BACK

A BUSINESS PUBLICATION OF THE BISMARCK MANDAN CHAMBER EDC

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Wendy Van Duyne .............................................................. Chair Matt Sagaser ...............................................................Vice-Chair Lee Pierce .....................................................................Secretary Kevin Strege ............................................................... Past Chair Dave Ehlis .................................................................... Treasurer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Evan Anderson ...........................................................Gizmonics Andrea Birst ...............................................Glance Spa & Salon Nathan Boehm ....................................................Morton County Joe Camisa ..........................................................City of Mandan Dan Eastgate ....................................Venture Real Estate Group Dave Ehlis ..............................................................Bravera Bank Fred Fridley .........................................................Sanford Health Amber Larson .....................................................Bartlett & West Heather Jones .............................................City Air Mechanical Wayne Munson ..................................................Burleigh County Larry Oswald ......................................Montana-Dakota Utilities Marnie Piehl .......................................................................AARP Lee Pierce .........................................................ICON Architects Mike Remboldt ................................................................HIT Inc. Dave Rogstad ....................................................... Starion Bank Matt Sagaser ......................................................Doosan Bobcat Mike Schmitz .....................................................City of Bismarck Kevin Strege ................................................Credit Foundations Wendy Van Duyne .....................Stantec Consulting Services Inc.

CHAMBER EDC STAFF

Emily Eback ...Business Development & Marketing Coordinator Tatelyn Houle ................................................Event Coordinator Brenda Nagel .................................................President & CEO Rachel Neff ..................Membership Sales & Retention Director Christine Nelson ..........................Vice President Sales & Events Rebecca Pelkey .................................Communications Specialist Julianne Sauvage ...................... Office & Accounting Manager Lyndsey Scheurer .........................Creative Marketing Specialist Nathan Schneider .........Vice President Economic Development Emily Seebold ................................................ Sales Coordinator Cathryn Sprynczynatyk .....................Communications Specialist

1640 Burnt Boat Drive, Bismarck, ND 58503 701-223-5660 • www.bismarckmandan.com

CONTACT INFORMATION Advertising Emily Seebold eseebold@bmcedc.com

FIBT.COM 2 4 Connection

Content Rebecca Pelkey rpelkey@bmcedc.com

CONNECTION | CHAIR'S CORNER

A

s we say goodbye to 2023, I am finishing my year as Board Chair of the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC. It has been an eventful year, to put it mildly, and I would like to take this chance to reflect on the past twelve months and celebrate our achievements as a community. Even though we faced some difficulties and doubts, we accomplished a lot here at the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC and I always enjoy a good year in review to highlight all that we have to be proud of.

This past winter, we collaborated with our local delegation to assess several bills that were proposed in the legislature. We worked with our local representatives to ensure that the business community’s voice was heard and to advocate for your interests. In March, we were also delighted to see an unprecedented number of guests at our Annual Dinner.

This event continues to grow every year, and we always cherish the opportunity to celebrate the bonds of our local business community and toast to all that we have achieved together.

With the departure of our previous President & CEO this past summer, we started looking for a new leader for the Chamber EDC in June, and were thrilled to have Brenda Nagel join us as our new President & CEO in July. Brenda has shown a strong, positive, and cooperative attitude in her role and we are beyond excited to see what she will accomplish with our organization in the years to come.

This past fall, we had another wonderful turnout at the Celebrate Bismarck Mandan event, where we honored the exceptional business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders in our community. Events like this help showcase the growth, potential, and entrepreneurial spirit that the Chamber EDC represents.

These are only some of the ways our organization advocated for our community, brought our business networks together, and celebrated our accomplishments. As Chair, I am not only proud of what we have done, but I am also proud of our team at the Chamber EDC. Together, they have overcome many challenges and have made us all proud.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to be a part of this organization and to lead with you throughout this past year.

As we move into the new year, I wish you all a relaxing holiday and a prosperous start to 2024!

Wendy Van Duyne, Chair Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC Nut-oriously Delicious!

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FEATURE | CONNECTION

BUSINESS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES GIVE BACK DURING THE HOLIDAYS

By Cathryn Sprynczynatyk It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Many people are inspired to give back during the holidays, and businesses have lots of opportunities to do so with their employees.

SALVATION ARMY CHRISTMAS KETTLE CAMPAIGN

Bismarck-Mandan Salvation Army tries to raise $150,000 each year from their Christmas Kettle Campaign.

The Salvation Army’s red kettle campaign is so iconic, that it has made appearances in Christmas movies from Bob Hope’s comedy “The Lemon Drop Kid” to “Home Alone 2.”

The Christmas carol “Silver Bells” was even inspired by the sound of Salvation Army bell ringers.

The tradition of red kettles was started in San Francisco in 1891 by Cap. John McFee. McFee used a red crab pot to solicit donations at a ferry landing. That concept is nearly unchanged in 132 years, although now there are innovations such as a QR code to donate via credit card.

The Bismarck-Mandan Salvation Army tries to raise over $400,000 per year. Usually, $118,000 comes from Christmas kettle donations, although their goal is $150,000.

Occasionally, they will receive unique and valuable donations in the kettles. Last year, they received a diamond ring with an estimated worth of $1,500-$2,000. They have received rare coins worth a few hundred dollars and even a gold tooth.

Bismarck-Mandan’s Salvation Army branch has been in existence almost since the Salvation Army arrived in America. The Salvation Army officially started its American mission in 1880. 17 years later, the Salvation Army arrived in Bismarck-Mandan in 1897.

The mission of the Salvation Army is strikingly similar today to what it was 126-years-ago — meet the basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing. Maj. Nelson de la Vergne said the mission of the Salvation Army is meant to be holistic.

“We meet the physical and spiritual needs,” de la Vergne said. “We call it a holistic approach.”

Bismarck-Mandan’s Salvation Army has a food pantry and provides rent and utility assistance as well as budget counseling and church services.

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Photo Credit: Bismarck-Mandan Board of Realtors

The most important volunteerism that the Salvation Army needs is bell ringers to staff the Christmas kettles. When there is a bell ringer staffing a kettle, donations average $50$60 per hour. Unstaffed kettles average $30-$40 per hour.

The Salvation Army has 19 Christmas kettle locations across Bismarck-Mandan. The hardest to staff are the Walmart locations, since the kettles are located outside. However, those locations are the most lucrative and can make $90$120 per hour.

De la Vergne encourages businesses to staff kettles with volunteers, which can be fun holiday team building. He encourages creativity such as people who wear holiday costumes or play musical instruments. Some businesses even match the donations received in a kettle for one day.

In addition to the kettle campaign, the Salvation Army also runs an Angel Tree program. They receive donations of toys, and then parents in-need get to “shop” for their children’s presents. The Salvation Army serves 200-300 low-income families each year through the Angel Tree program.

CONNECTION | FEATURE

SANFORD CARES

Photo Credit: Mandan Public Schools

Angie Sersha, Executive Director of Legal for Sanford Health Bismarck, isn’t the first staffer that you would think of to be involved with the Sanford Cares holiday campaign. She and a former co-worker were brainstorming when they came up with the concept of donating backpacks full of winter hats and gloves to local schoolchildren in need. They came up with the idea around Thanksgiving in 2019 and managed to pull it off by Christmas.

The first year, they had 100 second graders from Title I schools in Bismarck bused to Sanford Sports, formerly Sanford Power. Title I is a federal program that provides financial assistance to high poverty schools. The backpacks were stuffed with hats, gloves, grocery vouchers, and toys.

Volunteers delivering backpacks from Santa to Title 1 second graders at Sanford Sports in 2022.

“When Santa comes out, it’s like a rock show,” Sersha said.

While they could have made the donations more strategic by choosing only families in need, that would have involved singling out kids from low-income families.

“I felt very strongly we should include all second graders so that it’s inclusive and no one is being singled out,” Sersha said.

Any businesses interested in donating should contact the Bismarck Public Schools Foundation. Ultimately, Sersha would like to include all second graders, not just those from Title I schools.

“One of the teachers had tears in her eyes,” Sersha said, “her student had just told her that mom said they wouldn’t be getting any presents that year and look what Santa did.”

In 2020 and 2021, Sanford had to execute the program by classroom or by school due to COVID-19. In 2022, they were able to return to the big event at Sanford Sports.

In 2022, they were able to expand the Sanford Cares program to Mandan Public Schools through the help of a Leadership Bismarck-Mandan field project team. Laura Sandberg, Vice President for Credit Administration and Marketing at Security First Bank, was part of that team.

At the time, the Sanford Cares program had grown to serve 400 students from Bismarck Public Schools. The team was able to bring in 200 more from Mandan Public Schools.

The group worked with Mandan Public Schools to get them on board. They presented the project at a Mandan School Board meeting, and they got additional sponsors on board to cover the increased cost. The team worked to get both public school districts registered as Scholastic literacy partners in order to receive donations of books to be included in the backpacks.

“The energy in that place was so amazing,” Sandberg said. “…There is nothing like holiday spirit with (600) second graders.”

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FEATURE | CONNECTION Photo Credit: Pride Inc.

After Celebration of Trees, Pride Inc. donate the Christmas trees to families in need.

PRIDE INC. CELEBRATION OF TREES

The Pride Inc. Celebration of Trees may not have been around for 126 years, but it has made a big impact in Bismarck-Mandan in its 22-year history. Over the past 22 years, Pride Inc. has raised $315,000 and given away 14,062 Christmas trees to families in need.

Pride Inc. serves people with intellectual disabilities, people with mental illness, and services for families and children.

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“We serve the mentally and physically handicapped in the Bismarck-Mandan area,” said Jani Seifert, Pride Inc.’s Administrative Assistant and the coordinator of Celebration of Trees.

Pride Inc.’s annual fundraiser started in 2001. Local businesses sponsor trees with at least a $250 donation.

Pride Inc. provides artificial trees, and the businesses flex their creativity by decorating them. If the business doesn’t have time to decorate, they can donate an extra $75 to have Pride Inc. decorate the tree. Last year, businesses sponsored 71 trees. The peak was 103 trees in 2016.

The trees receive community votes to choose a winner.

After the trees are displayed in the Bismarck Event Center at the Pride of Dakota sale and Breakfast with Santa, they are donated to families in need. The families are selected through Abused Adult Resource Center, Morton and Burleigh County Social Services, Community Action, Bismarck Public Schools, Bismark Early Childhood Education Program, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, HIT Inc., Poppy’s Promise, and Pride Inc.’s Youth Mentor program.

The families get to pick their favorite tree.

UNITED WAY GIVING TREE

Although Missouri Slope Areawide United Way may be known for summer events such as their backpack campaign or Day of Caring, they aren’t idle around the holidays.

10-years-ago, United Way started its Giving Tree campaign.

Families in need provide information on their children’s wish lists, and the kids receive at least $50 worth of holiday gifts.

CONNECTION | FEATURE The families are selected from Title I schools and by United Way agencies. United Way coordinates with agencies that run similar programs, such as Salvation Army and Open Your Heart campaign, to make sure families aren’t doubled up.

Photo Credit: MSA United Way

Abused Adult Resource Center's Hope for the Holidays

“The Giving Tree is a program for all children in BisMan who are in need of Christmas gifts this holiday season,” said Jena Gullo, Executive Director of Missouri Slope Areawide United Way. “We want to make sure that any child in need has a Christmas.”

The tradition started with Mrs. Clause, an anonymous donor who came forward with the idea. She donated all of the money needed in the first year. It wasn’t long before United Way realized others in the Bismarck-Mandan community would like to give.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER DURING THE HOLIDAYS

The Banquet at the Dream Center Bismarck Santa Run Great Plains Food Bank Heaven’s Helpers Soup Café The tradition of Missouri Slope Areawide United Way’s Giving Tree was started by an anonymous donor dubbed Mrs. Clause.

Businesses or individuals who would like to participate are asked to donate at least $50 worth of gifts per child. If they cannot, they can participate in a toy drive. The United Way expects to serve 500 kids this year. In addition, they run a winter hat, glove, and scarf drive.

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MEMBER PROFILE | CONNECTION

Railway Credit Union has three locations in Bismarck-Mandan and have been members sine 2014.

Paul Brucker RAILWAY CREDIT UNION Tell us about yourself and your role within your business.

A: Between our three office locations in Bismarck and Mandan, we have a total of 27 employees. Railway Credit Union as a whole, looks to make finances simple, so our members have time for the things that matter most. We love serving and giving back to not only our members but also our community.

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MEMBER SINCE 2014

Briefly tell us the history behind Railway Credit Union and how you got started: A: Railway Credit Union has evolved from a cooperative offering only share accounts and loans to a full-service financial institution. Beginning in 1954 Railway Credit Union; formally named Mandan Railway Employees Credit Union; has continued to grow and merge with Soo Line/ AFL-CIO Credit Union (with the name change to Railway Credit Union), 2003 merger with Bismarck Telco Federal Credit Union, then merging with Genie-Watt Credit Union in 2013. Together we have become a stronger financial institution serving a wider base of members and unions.

How has the growth of the Bismarck-Mandan impacted Railway Credit Union?

A: With the growth of our community, it has allowed our Credit Union to increase in member size and loan opportunities. We recently reached a milestone of 8,000 RCU members. As more and more financials build in the Bismarck-Mandan area, Railway Credit Union continues to give top-notch member service and financial options to support the needs of those in the community.

CONNECTION | MEMBER PROFILE What trends are taking place in your industry?

A: Like many other industries, credit unions are increasingly adopting digital technologies to enhance member experiences and streamline operations.

Railway Credit Union offers many online services to our membership such as our free mobile app where you can view your latest account balances and history, transfer funds between accounts, mobile deposit checks, and pay bills. Recently we have also added a Remote Access button to our website. This allows members to request an RCU staff member to enable screen sharing options to assist our members by remotely viewing their computer screen or mobile device. CD’s are also another trend taking place in the financial world; as rates are the highest they’ve been in well over five years. RCU offers many CD options with competitive rates.

Have there been any monumental changes with your industry that you’ve had to deal with?

A: A major change in the financial industry over the past few years is the rise of digital banks. To keep up in this fast-changing marketplace, Railway Credit Union has prioritized enhancing our lending processes, services, and focusing on enhancing digital technology to provide our members with more convenient and streamlined banking experiences. Analyzing data also allows us to tailor our services to meet all our members specific needs and remain competitive in the current industry. As Railway Credit Union grows, we continue to strive in creating stronger relationships with our members and stand by the motto “People helping People”.

What does the future Railway Credit Union look like and the industry as a whole look like to you?

A: Looking towards the future, we hope to continue to grow our membership. We were successful in obtaining approval from the ND Department of Financial Institutions to expand our field of membership to now include members of the military and their families to Railway CU. Along with this membership expansion, our new Bismarck branch will help our staff better serve our members with modern era banking services. As always, we strive to create lasting relationships with our members that will be passed down from generation to generation.

Railway Credit Union became a Chamber EDC member in 2014, why do you continue to renew?

A: Being a member of the Chamber for many years, we believe it is important to be active within our community and understand the challenges it faces. The Chamber EDC provides opportunities to learn, and how to help our growing community become stronger.

What should other Chamber EDC members know about Railway Credit Union that may assist them?

A: Our financial continues to grow and is successful due to the continued support from our community and our members. Railway Credit Union is a full-service, memberowned financial institution. RCU does not desire to be the largest financial institution, however we are driven to be the best financial by providing world class member service while meeting our corporate mission of Enriching Our Members’ Lives.

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Q3 2023 COST OF LIVING INDEX The Cost-of-Living Index measures regional differences in the cost of consumer goods and services, excluding taxes and non-consumer expenditures, for professional and managerial households in the top income quintile. Covering 61 different items, prices are collected quarterly by chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and university applied economic centers in each participating urban area. Small differences should not be interpreted as showing a measurable difference.

The composite index is based on six component categories – housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services.

Compared to similar cities in surrounding states, Bismarck-Mandan showcases lower indexes in housing, utilities, and miscellaneous goods and services. The overall Cost of Living Index for the Bis-Man Metro area for Q3 2023 was 94.7. Comparably, the COLI for the Bis-Man Metro area for Q3 2022 was 97.0. This tells us that while the cost of living in other cities throughout the U.S. is going up, it is actually costing less in the Bis-Man area. To see how your current income compares to living in other cities, access the Cost-of-Living Calculator at bismarckmandanedc.com.

OCTOBER 2023 ECONOMIC INDICATORS Sales Tax Collected $2,288,508

701-355-1111

Airport Passengers 47,457

ECONOMY

Single Family Building Permits 38

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Restaurant & Lodging Tax Collected $400,021

POLE SIGNS MONUMENT SIGNS VEHICLE GRAPHICS & WRAPS WINDOW/WALL GRAPHICS & WRAPS ILLUMINATED BUILDING SIGNS INTERIOR & RECOGNITION SIGNS NON-ILLUMINATED SIGNS AWNINGS DESIGN SERVICE

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

MANDAN HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMAKING PLAN The City of Mandan, in partnership with Mandan Public Schools and Mandan Parks and Recreation, are working together to develop a Placemaking Plan that identifies redevelopment opportunities for the existing Mandan High School site in west-central Mandan.

The recommended design concept for the existing high school site is informed by public input received throughout the planning process and three (3) initial design concepts produced at a community design workshop and then later refined. The workshop was held on June 22 and gave participants a hands-on opportunity to work with other members to create the different redevelopment concepts.

After reviewing the revised design concepts based on workshop participants initial designs, the planning team met with project stakeholders and steering committee to identify which elements of each design they liked and believe would be feasible and worth including in the final plan, as well as areas that could be improved, or needed to be updated.

Q3 2023 TAXABLE SALES AND PURCHASES Mid November 2023 Quarter 3 Taxable Sales and Purchases were released. Taxable sales are gross sales minus nontaxable sales. Taxable purchases are taxable goods purchased by businesses for their own use on which they did not pay sales tax to suppliers.

Bismarck has experienced a 5.74% increase in taxable sales and purchases in the past year it increased from $442,878,339 in Q3 of 2022 to $468,318,661 in Q3 of 2023. Mandan has experienced a 6.19% increase in taxable sales and purchases in the past year as it increased from $87,069,256.00 in Q3 of 2022 to $92,462,445 in Q3 of 2023.

The increase in taxable sales and purchases for Burleigh and Morton County (combined) from Q3 of 2022 to Q3 of 2023 was $5,834,801.

Based on that feedback, the All-Seasons Arena, the Brave Center, and the skate park will stay, and there will be an addition to the trail system. The group is recommending the high school be turned into single-family homes, townhouses, apartments, and mixed-use residential and commercial buildings along with a community plaza.

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CHAMBER EDC NEWS | CONNECTION

WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER EDC, TATELYN I have called Bismarck home my entire life. As I completed my Communication degree with a focus in Public Relations at the University of Mary, I was given the opportunity to become more involved in my community. I fell in love with all the amazing things Bismarck-Mandan has to offer and knew I wanted to continue serving this area.

I first began working in the Bismarck community with the Bismarck Larks, where I worked as the Event Experience Intern. Following the passion I had for events, I interned again for a corporate event company, 13th Hat Business and Event Strategy. In my final learning experience, I became involved with the marketing company, Agency MABU, as an intern and later came on as an apprentice for their team. In every path I followed, I was able to do what I enjoy by engaging with the people and community around me.

In my personal life, I love exploring the world around me with my fiancé, Joey, and our dog, Tuli. We enjoy hiking and various outdoor activities; we do our best to visit at least one national park each year.

I am thrilled to be joining this Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC as the Event Coordinator!

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CONNECTION | CHAMBER EDC NEWS

FOCUS ON BISMARCK-MANDAN RETURNS FEBRUARY 2024 Back for 2024, the Chamber EDC's premier Economic Development event, Focus on Bismarck-Mandan. We will hear from a nationally known economist about what we can expect in 2024, as well as learn about our local economy.

Check-in is from 2:00pm to 2:30pm, with the event to follow from 2:30pm to 4:30pm in Founders Hall at the University of Mary. Immediately following the event will be a social with appetizers and refreshments for guests to network after hours in Chick's Place from 4:30pm to 6:00pm!

Cost to attend is $60 for members and $125 for non-members. For more information, contact Tatelyn Houle, thoule@ bmcedc.com, or call the Chamber EDC office at 701-2235660.

Interested in sponsoring, or reserving a table of eight at this event? Contact Emily Seebold at eseebold@bmcedc.com for more information.

THANK YOU SPONSORS: Presenting Sponsor: Gold Sponsors: Silver Sponsors: CHI St. Alexius Health, DCI Credit Services, JLG Architects Table Sponsors: AE2S, Amy Hullet with Century 21 Morrison Realty, Bank of North Dakota, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bravera Bank, Capital Credit Union, Capital Electric Cooperative, Choice Bank, Dakota Carrier Network, First International Bank & Trust, Gate City Bank, Kirkwood Bank & Trust, KLJ Engineering, KX News, MDU Resources Group, INC, Moore Engineering, Inc., National Information Solutions Cooperative, Sanford Health, University of Mary

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CHAMBER EDC NEWS | CONNECTION

LEADERSHIP BISMARCK-MANDAN ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES DAY Tour days are scheduled early in the calendar to take advantage of fair weather. On Oct. 18, the Leadership class spent a full-day touring energy sites in central North Dakota. The day began at the Lignite Energy Council, with a welcome by North Dakota Public Service Commissioner Randy Christmann. Ron Ness, President of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, gave an overview of the state of the oil and gas industry in North Dakota. The class took a bus tour of three energy sites: NextEra Energy wind farm at Wilton, Rainbow Energy Center at Coal Creek Station, and North American Coal’s Falkirk Mine.

ARTS & LEISURE The two directors of Mandan and Bismarck Parks and Recreation Districts spoke to the Leadership class on leisure. Despite a cool season that limited swimming, Cole Higlin said Raging Rivers had 55,000 guests last year.

COVID-19 was a huge boost to golf, and that popularity continues today. Bismarck Parks and Recreation District Director Kevin Klipfel talked about how Bismarck’s green space ordinance benefits the park system by building them into new housing developments. One of the 20242026 strategic priorities for Bismarck Parks and Recreation District is to develop an ADA Transition Plan for parks and facilities.

The Leadership Bismarck-Mandan class tours North American Coal’s Falkirk Mine as part of three stops on a tour for Energy & Natural Resources Day on Oct. 18.

For the arts portion of the day, the class traveled to Morton Mandan Public Library. Andrew Stromme from City of Mandan displayed the recently completely utility box art project. Four speakers spoke in a speed session on “Public Arts Hot Topics.” The speakers were Katie Johnke of Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health, local artist Molly McLain, local artist Mel Gordon, and Dawn Kopp of Bismarck Downtowners Association. Finally, Shawna Marion, Library Community Engagement Coordinator, gave a tour of the newly renovated Morton-Mandan Public Library.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Presenting Sponsors:

Gold Scholarship Sponsor: Sponsor: Program Sponsors: Bartlett & West, Inc., Basin Electric Power Cooperative, KLJ

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Energy & Natural Resources Day Co-chairs: Julie Fedorchak – Public Service Commissioner Kay LaCoe – Lignite Energy Council Retha Mattern – Lignite Energy Council Arts & Leisure Co-chairs: Nicole Gagner – Meadowlark Mercantile Tyler Sander – Aetna, a CVS Health Company Kelly Thomas – Mandan Parks and Recreation Lunch & Breakfast Sponsors: North American Coal - Energy & Natural Resources Day Lignite Energy Council - Energy & Natural Resources Day Bismarck Parks and Recreation - Arts & Leisure

CONNECTION | CHAMBER EDC NEWS

WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER EDC, RACHEL I am so excited and honored to be a part of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC team!

As a native of Bismarck, I am passionate about this community and everything it has to offer.

Graduating from the University of Mary in April of ’22, I obtained my Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication with a Minor in Public Relations. After spending some time in the gas and energy industries, I am thrilled to now be serving my home community of Bismarck-Mandan.

As the Membership Sales & Retention Director, I look forward to helping our current members thrive and to continue building our membership base.

When I am not working, you can find me in the airport or my car traveling to just about anywhere and everywhere. I also enjoy snowboarding, yoga, cooking, and spending quality time with my family!

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CHAMBER EDC EVENTS | CONNECTION

CALENDAR OF EVENTS JAN

JANUARY MEMBERSHIP MIXER: EIDE FORD LINCOLN

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Date: Thursday, January 18 Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm Location: Eide Ford Lincoln — 800 E Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck Admission: Free to Attend

JAN

CANDIDATE CAMPAIGN TRAINING

Come join fellow Chamber EDC members for the first mixer of the year at Eide Ford Lincoln!

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Date: Wednesday, January 24 Time: 9:30am - 3:00pm Location: North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum - 612 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck Admission: $50 per Person

FEB

FOCUS ON BISMARCK-MANDAN

29 MAR

Thinking about running for public office or a local board? Learn first hand what you can expect on the campaign trail.

Date: Thursday, February 29 Check-In: 2:00pm - 2:30pm Social: 4:30pm - 6:00pm Location: University of Mary, Founders Hall — 7500 University Drive, Bismarck Admission: $60 for Chamber EDC members/ $125 for General Admission

Event Time: 2:30pm - 4:30pm

MARCH MEMBERSHIP MIXER: BAIN AGENCY

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Date: Thursday, March 14 Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm Location: Bain Agency — 1500 E Capitol Ave, Bismarck Admission: Free to Attend

APR

CHAMBER EDC ANNUAL DINNER

Join fellow Chamber EDC members for an evening of networking, hosted at Bain Agency!

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Date: Thursday, April 18 Check-In/Social: 5:30pm - 7:00pm Location: Bismarck Event Center, Hall B — 315 S 5th Street, Bismarck Admission: $75 for Chamber EDC members, $125 for General Admission

MAY

LEADERSHIP BISMARCK-MANDAN FIELD PROJECT PRESENTATIONS

Be a part of Bismarck-Mandan’s premier black-tie event where the Chamber EDC will celebrate our accomplishments of 2023!

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Date: Wednesday, May 8 Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm Location: Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC — 1640 Burnt Boat Drive, Bismarck Admission: Free to Attend

MAY

MAY MEMBERSHIP MIXER: MCQUADE DISTRIBUTING

9

Date: Thursday, May 9 Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm Location: McQuade Distributing — 1150 Industrial Drive, Bismarck Admission: Free to Attend

MAY

LEADERSHIP BISMARCK-MANDAN GRADUATION

16

Event Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Come to the highly anticipated McQuade Membership Mixer and test the newest summer drinks!

Date: Thursday, May 16 Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm Location: Chick's Place, University of Mary - 7500 University Drive, BIsmark Admission: $35 REGISTER FOR THESE EVENTS AND MANY MORE ONLINE AT WWW.BISMARCKMANDAN.COM

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MEMBER NEWS | CONNECTION

RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT RECEIVES $4 MILLION GRANT A riverfront festival grounds representing collaboration between a handful of local entities, local government and state entities was awarded a multimillion-dollar funding grant from the North Dakota Department of Commerce on November 6.

The riverfront development project was one of three projects to receive $4 million in grant funding. Twenty-five million dollars was spread across 14 projects received to expand tourism in the state.

The grant opportunity had substantial demand, as a total of 81 projects, representing 42 communities, applied for funding.

Earlier this year, representatives from the Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation (FALF, also known as Missouri Valley Heritage Alliance) and AGL Landscape Architects (AGL) approached the City of Bismarck to ask for collaborative permission to apply for grants that would begin the buildout of the City of Bismarck’s “River District”. Grant funding was awarded for the first publicly spirited project, the first riverfront festival grounds in the history of Bismarck.

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That project would diversify our community’s river access options while building density of experience by creating a tourism asset and quality of life enhancement. Components of the festival grounds could include a bandshell, programmable lawn space, public beach, boardwalk and fishing piers with commercial docks, outdoor food court for food trucks, splash pad and playground equipment.

“The Missouri River has always been the Main Street of Bismarck and Mandan,” said FALF’s Executive Director Aaron Barth. “This project is a reflection of that concept. And it is a reflection of partnerships and collaboration. Heritage, history, arts and culture will be a focus of this riverfront festival grounds, elements that are intrinsic to the quality of life for all residents and visitors.”

“This phase of funding ensures this project will advance,” said Jake Axtman, with AGL. “We can now meet and deliver on the 2022 City of Bismarck and FALF riverfront revitalization plan that set the groundwork for these next steps.”

FALF, AGL Landscape Architects, the City of Bismarck, Bismarck Parks and Recreation District, Bismarck-Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau, the North Dakota Governor’s Office, the North Dakota State Legislature, the North Dakota Tourism Department, and the North Dakota Department of Commerce have all played roles in bringing the project forward. As part of the application process, in August the Bismarck City Commission unanimously agreed to pledge the 4.4 acres of Keelboat Park so long as funding was received.

The land is valued at $2 million. As part of the donation, the City of Bismarck included a clause that the land would revert to the city if the group was unable to find adequate funding within five years or if the first phase of construction did not occur within seven years. In August 2023, the Bismarck-Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau also unanimously voted to award the project $500,000.

CONNECTION | MEMBER NEWS

THE ASPEN INSTITUTE NAMES BSC AMONG TOP 150 COLLEGES The Aspen Institute named Bismarck State College (BSC) – North Dakota’s Polytechnic Institution – as one of the 150 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation's signature recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. This is the third consecutive cycle BSC has been chosen as an Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College.

“We are extremely honored to be identified by the Aspen Institute and recognized on a national level for our focus on student success. Having been selected for three consecutive cycles tells us that what we are doing at BSC is meaningful and impactful to our students,” says BSC President Doug Jensen.

The institutions selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds.

The Aspen Prize spotlights exemplary community colleges in order to drive attention to colleges achieving post-graduate success for all students, and is a central way Aspen researches highly effective student success strategies that are shared with the field. The 150 eligible colleges have been invited to submit student success data and narratives about strategies to achieve better and more equitable student outcomes as the next step in an intensive review process that culminates in the naming of the Aspen Prize winner in spring 2025. The eligible colleges represent the diversity and depth of the community college sector. Located in urban, rural, and suburban areas across 30 states, these colleges serve as few as 169 students and as many as 49,619.

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While community colleges are an essential contributor to our nation’s success, student outcomes vary substantially among institutions. Aspen measures those variances using multiple data sources and honors colleges with outstanding achievement in six critical areas: teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment, workforce success, equitable access to the college, and equitable outcomes for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds.

In this first round, eligibility for the Aspen Prize is based on publicly available data. Colleges must show strong, improving, and equitable student outcomes in first-to-second-year retention, credentials awarded, and completion and transfer rates.

dakotacarrier.com | 800-814-3333 Connection 3 19

MEMBER NEWS | CONNECTION

7TH ANNUAL PROPS AND HOPS RAISES $16K FOR AVIATION SCHOLARSHIPS, HONORS LOCAL AVIATORS Over 250 local folks gathered at the Mandan Aero Center to enjoy an evening of planes, beer, and music for the 7th Annual Props & Hops. Guests enjoyed a smoked rib dinner by Chef Roby Boehm, music by Shawn Oban, airplanes on display and a fantastic spread of silent auction items. Through sponsorships, ticket purchases and silent auction item purchases, the event raised $16,000.

This year, all proceeds from Props & Hops are going to support two upcoming scholarships for our local aviation community. The Advanced Pilot Scholarship and Advanced Aviation Maintenance Technician Scholarship were created in honor of North Dakota aviators Mark Sundby and Darrell Pittman, who both recently passed away. Funds are dedicated to helping aspiring pilots and maintenance technicians earn their licenses and start their careers in the aviation industry. The Props & Hops Planning Committee is extremely grateful to our dedicated sponsors, volunteers, and everyone who came out to support this important cause!

We’re already looking forward to next year.

For those looking to apply, please to go http://www.bismarckaero.com/community.aspx and hit download in the Props & Hops section.

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701-415-0525 servprobismarck.com

CONNECTION | MEMBER NEWS

BISMARCK VETERANS MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY SEES EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS There is a growing movement in Bismarck to infuse our cityscapes with creativity and beauty with local art, and the library is no exception. The library recently added colorful, inspiring art on the east side windows facing 6th Street.

Local artist Crystal Tretbar created twelve unique art pieces that have been transformed into window coverings conveying the following qualities: happy, energized, inviting, fun, modern, all ages, universal, and colorful. The library’s Public Information Specialist, Kevin R. Tengesdal, created two digital art pieces to accompany Tretbar’s collection. This installation not only beautifies the library’s exterior and engages the community, but also provides Tretbar and Tengesdal with a platform to showcase their talent.

Library Director Christine Kujawa said, “Anyone passing by on 6th Street will be treated to a visual experience that connects them to not only the library but the community.

The window coverings are attractive and engaging works of art that transform the exterior of the library into a vibrant art gallery.”

Mann Signs, Inc. owner and president Scott Bina shared that they were happy to be involved in such a unique project, which adds to the welcoming and positive ambiance of the library.

Thank you to the Bismarck Library Foundation for funding the construction and installation of this beautiful sculpture, which is available for everyone passing by to enjoy!

The Friends of the Bismarck Public Library provided funding for this creative project.

The library also recently unveiled their newly installed exterior sculpture on the south side of the building facing Avenue A, funded entirely by the Bismarck Library Foundation.

Library Director Christine Kujawa and staff brainstormed designs for the past couple of years, intending to add a colorful and inviting art piece that aligns with the recently updated exterior siding and library brand. Our Public Information Specialist, Kevin R. Tengesdal, created the design, with construction and installation by Mann Signs, Inc. Tengesdal stated, “I was thrilled when Christine asked me to design a sculpture incorporating our library’s logo. I experimented with a few different ideas before settling on a design that features books soaring through the air to form our logo’s star. It was exhilarating to watch Mann Signs, Inc. install the sculpture and see my 2D vector artwork transformed into a three-dimensional work of art.”

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MEMBER NEWS | CONNECTION

BOBCAT EXPANDS GLOBAL MANUFACTURING FOOTPRINT WITH PLANS FOR NEW FACILITY IN MONTERREY, MEXICO Bobcat Company, a global compact equipment, innovation and worksite solutions brand, announced intentions to expand its footprint with a new manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico, anticipated to begin production in early 2026.

The investment, planned for approximately $300 million, will expand Bobcat’s existing global footprint to create additional production capacity and manufacturing capabilities for select compact track and skid-steer loader models.

The new facility is expected to create an additional 600 to 800 jobs in the region.

“As a global company with manufacturing facilities, offices, dealerships and customers across the globe, we have seen tremendous growth and increased demand for our products,” said Scott Park, Doosan Bobcat CEO and vice chairman. “We are excited to continue growing our footprint to meet demand for Bobcat solutions worldwide.”

The 700,000-square-foot manufacturing facility is expected to increase Bobcat’s North American compact loader production capacity by 20%. The facility will feature areas for welding, painting and assembly, as well as an on-site warehouse and office space. Bobcat will implement stateof-the-art technology with an emphasis on quality, precision and energy efficiency.

The Monterrey location will manufacture Bobcat M-Series compact loaders for North American distribution. This strategic manufacturing capacity alignment will allow Bobcat to focus its industry-leading R-Series compact loader production at its Gwinner, N.D. facility, and its Dobris, Czech Republic facility will continue to manufacture M-Series loaders for the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions.

Bobcat will continue to focus on talent retention and hiring at all locations in support of continued expansion and growth.

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22 4 Connection

CONNECTION | MEMBER NEWS

SANFORD HEALTH RECEIVES GRANT TO PROVIDE LODGING SUPPORT To help alleviate some of the financial burden of cancer treatment, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recently awarded a $60,000 lodging grant to Sanford Health. The grant is one of 91 lodging grants totaling $2.5 million awarded to health systems nationwide. The funding will allow health systems to provide eligible patients an estimated 32,000 nights of free lodging during treatment.

“We serve such a large rural population in western North Dakota, eastern Montana and northern South Dakota, that being able to help patients with one or two nights of lodging is a blessing to many of our patients,” said Jill Rogers, director of the Sanford Cancer Center Bismarck. “Without this assistance, many patients in our region who travel for cancer care would not make it to appointments to receive their cancer treatment.”

Proximity to treatment prevents many people living with cancer from getting high-quality care which worsens cancer outcomes. Thanks to both a lodging grant and a transportation grant from the American Cancer Society, Sanford Health can offer patient assistance so that rural patients can achieve better outcomes.

“Not having access to high-quality cancer treatment due to where you live contributes to the disparities we see in cancer outcomes. It’s important to provide the funding and programming needed to keep the cost of a hotel room from impacting survival,” said Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer for the American Cancer Society. “The local health systems we partner with across the country use this funding to deliver assistance directly to the patients who need it most.”

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The American Cancer Society believes all people should have a fair and just opportunity to live a longer, healthier life free from cancer regardless of how much money they make, skin color, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or where they live. In addition to providing lodging funding to health systems, the American Cancer Society runs over 30 Hope Lodge communities that provide a free place to stay during treatment.

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Connection 3 23

MEMBER NEWS | CONNECTION

BEST PRACTICES FOR EMPLOYERS AND THEIR MILITARY EMPLOYEES Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense office that promotes a supportive work environment for both service members and their civilian employers. ESGR can provide information on federal law with regard to the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).

They also provide trained ombudsmen when necessary to mediate between service members and their civilian employers.

TIPS FOR EMPLOYERS •

Get to know your employee’s military commanders and supervisors. Ask them to provide you with advance of your employee’s annual military duty schedule, and work out conflicts as early as possible.

•

As a general rule, the employee is entitled to reemployment in the job position that he or she would have attained with reasonable certainty if not for the absence due to military service. The reemployment position includes the same seniority, status, and rate of pay.

USERRA does not provide protections for independent contractors.

Examine your personnel policies to see how they accommodate and support participation in the National Guard or Reserve. For example, do they include provisions for military leave of absence exclusive of earned vacation time?

•

Encourage employee participation in the National Guard and Reserve. Recognize and publicize their dedication and commitment to your business and to the nation.

•

Discuss with your employees their service requirements before problems arise and keep an open dialogue to prevent further issues.

If the employee has coverage under a health plan in connection with his or her employment, the plan must permit the employee to continue the coverage for a certain period of time. On reemployment, the employee is treated as not having a break in service with the employer maintaining a pension plan, for purposes of participation, vesting, and accrual of benefits.

•

Don’t hesitate to call upon your employee’s military commander or supervisor if you have a question or concern. They face some of the same challenges you do in their business and know that it is in everyone’s best interest to work together.

•

Seek assistance from ESGR. Call 1-800-336-4590 to speak with an ombudsman.

USERRA

The employee may be discharged for cause based either on conduct or, in some circumstances, because of other legitimate nondiscriminatory reasons. The employer bears the burden of proving that the discharge was based on conduct or other nondiscriminatory reasons.

ABOVE AND BEYOND USERRA

Many employers do not stop at the requirements of the law, but instead go above and beyond. Some employers offer differential pay to make up the difference in salary when a military employee is activated. Employers often continue benefits, such as health insurance, to family members while and employee is deployed.

Employers host care package drives to send to deployed military units, especially around the holidays. Employers host farewell and welcome home ceremonies. Employers provide home and car repair along with lawn and yard maintenance to deployed families. Employers help with childcare needs of deployed families.

Employers actively recruit and hire military members through participation including U.S. Army Partnership for Your Success (see sidebar), Department of Defense’s Hero2Hired, the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, the Joining Force Initiative, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring our Heroes program.

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CONNECTION | MEMBER NEWS

TOP 10 REASONS TO HIRE CURRENT & FORMER MILITARY

1. Global perspective – Military employees have experiences that directly relate to current world events.

2. On-time, all the time – Military employees know that every second counts.

3. First class image – Military employees understand that professional appearance is a must.

4. Calm under pressure – Military employees are resilient and know how to handle stress, both on and off the job.

5. Can-do attitude – Military employees possess critical skills and understand that nothing is impossible.

6. Physical conditioning – Military employees are in top physical condition, resilient, and drug-free.

7. Understand diversity – Military employees have succeeded in a very diverse workplace.

8. Responsibility – Military employees know how to make decisions and take responsibility for meeting objectives.

9. Professionalism – Military employees have a high degree of integrity, and air of self-respect, and a sense of honor.

ARMY PAYS PROGRAM: A WORKFORCE SOLUTION

The U.S. Army offers the Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) program, which pairs qualified soldiers with employers who will guarantee them an interview, although they are not guaranteed a job.

The PaYS program offers a database that matches the job needs of employers with the job skills offered by the Army Reserve, Army National Guard, or regular Army. Prior to separation from the regular Army, PaYS coordinates the soldier’s transition to civilian like and contacts their employer partners. PaYS partners benefit from a steady stream of qualified candidates with leadership, maturity, and technical experience.

Soldiers receive guaranteed interviews with employers, although they are not guaranteed a job. Visit www.armypays. com for more information.

10. Leadership – Military employees are excellent leaders and outstanding followers: loyal, dedicated, and highly motivated.

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Connection 3 25

ASK A PRO | CONNECTION

GEORGE YINEMAN at

SHELLEY GRAMLING

JEN BENZ

at

at

1010 E Central Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501 701-222-0232

500 N 8th Street, Bismarck, ND 58501 701-222-6100

1730 Burnt Boat Dr, Ste 100, Bismarck, ND 58502 701-255-1091

Q: WHAT ABOUT ALL THE VACANT COMMERCIAL OFFICE SPACE?

Q: I WILL BE BEGINNING RADIATION THERAPY SOON. WHAT ARE THE FIRST STEPS THAT WILL TAKE PLACE WHEN STARTING TREATMENT?

Q: HOW CAN YOU BEST PREPARE FOR YEAR-END?

A: We get questions about vacant com-

mercial space often as if it was a serious concern. The mass exodus from social office activities because of Covid resulted in many office tenants non-renewal of their leases giving concern that this was a permanent trend. And it is a real concern for large institutional investment firms in larger urban areas. National office vacancy hit a record 13% in Q3 2023. Reports show that downtown office occupancy is at half of its pre-pandemic level. But on a bright note, suburban office properties showed exceptionally robust net cash flow growth at 89.5% according to CMBS loan data for 2021 and 2022. And Bismarck/Mandan is considered suburban in category. Locally, we have seen increased activity in office leasing attributing to a back-filling of our vacant office space. And smaller office space (those under 3,000 SF) continue to show strong demand with offices less than 1,500 SF showing the most activity. Some larger companies downsized into this category as well. People finally got fed up trying to work from home and decided to move back into an office environment.

A: Before you begin treatment, you will

meet with your radiation oncologist to review all your medical information and conduct a physical exam. Your doctor will discuss your diagnosis and possible treatment options that may be helpful to you.

They will discuss potential side effects and the number of treatments appropriate for your cancer care. One of the first steps you will take before receiving radiation therapy is called a "simulation." The simulation is a dress rehearsal for your actual radiation therapy sessions. The information obtained from this simulator CT scan is then used by the Dosimetrist, Medical Physicist, and Radiation Oncologist, in conjunction with advanced computer technology, to precisely direct the radiation beam and generate the best treatment plan for you. Following the CT scan, your skin will be marked with a tiny amount of permanent ink. Radiation therapists use these very small marks to set up the precise treatment area every day of We have helped several clients find the your treatment duration. This planning sesperfect office. We’d love the opportunity to sion will take anywhere from 20 to 45 minwork with you. Call us at (701) 222-0232 or utes. After planning is completed, we will email george@risepropertybrokers.com. call you and schedule your initial appointment to begin treatment. If you have any questions regarding the beginning of your treatment plan, please get in touch with the Bismarck Cancer Center at 222-6100.

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A: Preparing your accounting records for

year-end will not only ensure you put your best foot forward in the new year, but it will also help you close out last year without a headache.

There are several items to consider as you prepare for year-end planning.

Preparing Your Balance Sheet • • • • • •

Make sure your assets match your liability and equity on your balance sheet.

Perform bank reconciliation for all cash, credit card, and loan accounts through December/year-end.

Profit and Loss

Do a quick check through your revenue.

Compare your profit and loss statement to other time periods.

Review your cost of goods sold account for the year as a percentage of revenue.

These are just a few of the items to consider as you prepare for year-end. Make sure you take the time to gather the correct information and talk with your business advisor and/or accountant so you can close out year-end and start 2024 right.

From business growth to compliance and digital optimization, Eide Bailly is here to help you thrive and embrace opportunity.

CONNECTION | ASK A PRO

AMBER SCHRIOCK at

1661 Capitol Way, Bismarck, ND 58501 701-250-9400

Q: WHAT IS AN EMAIL FILTER AND WHY DO I NEED ONE? A: Unwanted communication, or email

spam, is a common challenge for many businesses today. Cyber criminals scrape millions of addresses from the internet and send mass emails in the hopes that may imply a sense of urgency, over-the-top offers, or mimic genuine websites. Cyber criminals want people to click on the malicious links within these emails. This could result in data theft or malware downloading itself onto the victim’s computer.

Businesses are especially susceptible to email attacks as their email addresses may be public facing or easy to guess. C-Level employees may be listed on business websites, making them a prime target for impersonation and attack. Having spam email filters in place can help protect your business from falling victim.

Email filters help quarantine and/or block the following attacks: viruses, phishing, compromised web links, and others They can block spam emails from reaching your inbox by filtering them into a spam or junk folder, or by putting them in a cloud quarantine until you review and mark them as safe.

It is important to note that different filters utilize different mechanisms to identify and separate spam from legitimate emails, and no filter is 100% successful. An additional safety measure would be to implement a security awareness training program for all employees, so they can identify, and steer clear of potential cybersecurity risks.

TAYA FELCH at

HANNAH HAUFF at

1710 E Main Street, Mandan, ND 58554 701-751-0913

811 E Interstate Ave, Ste B, Bismarck, ND 58503 701-409-0488

Q: WHAT IS LED THERAPY?

Q: WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR BUSINESSES LOOKING TO BETTER THEIR MARKETING IN THE NEW YEAR?

A: LED therapy is a popular non-invasive

skin treatment that uses various wavelengths of light to stimulate skin cells, improve circulation and collagen production, and promote healing.

A: At HexaHive, we're all about growth

One of the primary skin benefits of LED therapy is its ability to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This is because the light stimulates collagen production, which helps to plump up the skin and make it look more youthful and radiant.

Reflect and Plan: Learn from your past strategies. What worked? What didn't?

Then, set clear goals and performance markers for the future.

Another significant benefit of LED therapy is its ability to reduce inflammation and redness. This makes it an effective treatment for acne, rosacea, and other inflammatory skin conditions.

LED therapy also helps to improve skin texture and tone by reducing the appearance of pores and promoting a more even complexion. It can also help to reduce the appearance of scars and hyperpigmentation.

Overall, LED therapy is a safe and effective way to improve the health and appearance of your skin. Whether you're looking to reduce the signs of aging, improve acne-prone skin, or simply give your skin a healthy glow, LED therapy is worth considering as part of your skincare routine.

Stop at The Skin Boutique during open hours to sit under our LED light for 15 – 30 minutes!

- here are our tips on how to make 2024 your best year yet:

Understand Your Audience: Your customers are the heart of your business. Get to know their problems, what fulfills them, what drives them to make a purchase, etc.

- then utilize it in your marketing.

Refine Your Messaging: Highlight what makes your business special and shout it out to the world! Customer testimonials are a great way to validate your message.

Monitor and Adapt: Numbers matter!

Keep an eye on your marketing data and be ready to adapt. If something isn't resonating, change it; if it is resonating, lean into it!

And lastly… if you’re feeling overwhelmed, reach out to HexaHive! We're not just here to save your sanity, but your time and money too. Email me at hannah@hexahive. co!

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MEMBER PERKS | CONNECTION CEDRIC THEEL HIRES THREE Cedric Theel Toyota recently welcomed Derek Sanda, Kristofer Bellah, and Hailee Winter to the team. Derek fills the role Derek Sanda of a sales consultant, Kristofer is the newest Product Specialist, and Hailee joins our office staff as an Office Assistant.

Derek grew up in Bismarck. He worked construction most of his career and is excited for a Krisofer Bellah career change. Derek and his wife have four children that keep them busy. He likes to spend time on the river in the summer and hunting in the fall.

Kristofer recently relocated from Michigan, ND, to Bismarck with his Hailee Winter fiancé and baby on the way. He recently worked at the Toyota dealership in Devils Lake. Kristofer likes to garden and cook Mediterranean dishes.

Hailee grew up in Columbia Falls, MT, and moved to Bismarck four years ago.

She comes to Cedric Theel Toyota with prior dealership office experience. Outside of work, Hailee enjoys kayaking, boating, snowmobiling and traveling back to MT to visit family.

BARTLETT EARNS MICROSOFT CERTIFICATION Jordan Bartlett, systems administrator at Dakota Carrier Network, has earned the Microsoft Jordan Bartlett 365 Fundamentals (MS900) certification.

The MS-900 certification validates foundational knowledge of Microsoft 365 services, including cloud concepts, core productivity, security, and compliance features. It establishes proficiency in understanding Microsoft 365 offerings, facilitating effective collaboration, and ensuring data security, making it ideal for IT professionals.

Bartlett, based in DCN’s Bismarck office, joined the company in 2022 and his primary responsibilities relate to supporting the technical needs of the DCN team.

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ALEXANDER JOINS DAKOTA CU ASSOCIATION ADVOCACY TEAM Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU) is pleased to announce John Alexander the latest addition to our team as John Alexander joins the association this week as Director of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs.

John brings expertise in political communications, legislative management, and volunteer engagement to the DakCU organization. With previous experience in intelligence analysis, advancing key legislation, and enhancing advocacy efforts through strategic planning and effective team management, he will be a great asset to association advocacy efforts.

John also has extensive experience in project management and event planning in the non-profit sector.

His primary responsibility at DakCU will be to assist the association in meeting legislative and regulatory objectives.

NDPC HIRES DELZER AS REGULATORY AFFAIRS MANAGER The North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC) is excited to announce the new hire of Eric Delzer as the organization’s Regulatory

NDAREC WELCOMES COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives Chris Gessele (NDAREC) is proud to welcome Chris Gessele as the newest addition to its organization.

Gessele began Sept. 25 in his new role as a cooperative development specialist, helping to support the growth and expansion of rural businesses and cooperatives across North Dakota.

Raised on a farm near Mercer, Gessele is no stranger to cooperatives or rural North Dakota. After graduating from the University of North Dakota in 2007, Gessele worked as an editor and reporter for the Hazen Star, where he became deeply embedded in his new community.

He was introduced to the cooperative business model in 2012, when he accepted a staff writer position at Basin Electric Power Cooperative. Most recently, he worked as a marketing communications consultant for National Information Solutions Cooperative.

Gessele lives in Bismarck with his wife, Alyssa, and their three sons, Cohen, 8, Nash, 5, and Hayes, 3.

BIRD HONORED AS TOP 100 INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISOR BY BARRON’S Affairs Manager.

In his new role, Eric will manage the Joel Bird, a Private regulatory portfolio with direction from Wealth Advisor with the industry experts within the NDPC Ameriprise Financial in Joel Bird Regulatory Committee. His focus will be Bismarck, was recognized on the ever-changing federal regulatory as one of “Barron’s Top landscape, spearheading regulatory 100 Independent Financial Advisors” in the research, and crafting our industry’s country by Barron’s, a publication covering responses to the regulatory issues business and finance. Barron’s recognizes affecting NDPC membership. the industry’s most outstanding financial Eric was born and raised in rural western advisors who represent the highest levels North Dakota on a small family farm. As of ethical standards, professionalism, and a lifelong resident, he brings a deeply success in the business. rooted understanding of our region’s Bird was chosen based on assets under unique challenges and opportunities. management, revenue generated for his He holds a Bachelor of Science degree firm, and the quality of his practice. In his in business management from Minot practice, Bird focuses on helping his clients State University and has dedicated over plan for their financial goals for a lifetime twelve years to serving the people of – through a personal long-term financial North Dakota as a division director for planning relationship.

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring.

Bird is part of Legacy Financial Partners, He possesses over a decade’s experience a private wealth advisory practice of in specialized regulatory affairs expertise Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. and is passionate about protecting and advancing the state’s top industries of agriculture and energy.

Eric Delzer

CONNECTION | MEMBER PERKS CAPITAL CREDIT UNION ANNOUNCES CFS FINANCIAL ADVISOR RETTERATH Capital Credit Union today announced the hire of Keenan J. Retterath.

Keenan J. Retterath Retterath is a financial advisor registered through broker dealer and Registered Investment Advisor CUSO Financial Services, LP (CFS). He has six years of experience in investment services and will be based at Capital Credit Union’s Main Office in Bismarck.

As a financial advisor, Retterath will be responsible for helping credit union members build personalized financial plans by reviewing priorities such as retirement plan rollovers, insurance, business retirement plans, retirement income strategies, tax efficient investments*, saving for college and more.

A graduate of Stanton High School and Bismarck State College, Retterath joins the Capital Credit Union team from Wagner Financial Services in Bismarck. He and his wife, Carly, live in Mandan with their daughter, Lauren.

CDHS WELCOMES SANTOS TO THE TEAM Central Dakota Humane Society welcomes Stephanie Santos as the new volunteer coordinator at the shelter Stephanie Santos and is working with community members to help provide enrichment, companionship, and exercise for the shelter’s animals and to help with events, fundraisers, and miscellaneous shelter duties.

For nearly a decade Santos worked with a nonprofit organization that provides fully trained service dogs to veterans with disabilities, children on the autism spectrum, and facilities who serve populations with physical and mental limitations. She managed the dog training programs as well as client services, handling everything from interviewing applicants to matching them with their service dog.

Prior to working with service dogs, she volunteered at her local shelter as a dog and bunny foster and as a dog walker, which is how she discovered her love for animal behavior and training.

DCN HIRES OPDAHL AS NOC MANAGER Dakota Carrier Network (DCN) has hired Travis Opdahl as Network Operations Center (NOC) manager.

Travis Opdahl In this position, Opdahl will plan, organize, and manage the staff and overall NOC operations to ensure the stability of DCN’s network infrastructure. That staff includes a team of engineers and technicians in Bismarck and Fargo. He is in the Bismarck office.

Opdahl earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from North Dakota State University and worked in broadband engineering and operations for 17 years.

DECEMBER LIVE GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

Provided on Government Access cable channels 2 & 602HD FreeTV.org, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV

Wed, 1st 5:00 pm Burleigh County Commission *

Mon, 4th 5:00 pm Burleigh County Commission * Tues, 5th

5:30 pm

Mandan City Commission *

Thurs, 7th

5:00 pm

Bismarck Board of Adjustment

Mon, 11th

5:15 pm 5:30 pm

Bismarck School Board Mandan Park District Board

Tues, 12th

5:15 pm

Bismarck City Commission *

Wed, 13th

8:00 am 5:15 pm

Burleigh Water Resource District Burleigh Planning & Zoning *

Thurs,14th

9:00 am 4:00 pm

Bismarck Parking Authority Bismarck Renaissance Zone Authority

Mon, 18th 10:00 am

5:00 pm

5:30 pm

Met. Planning Org. – Tech Advisory Cmte.

Burleigh County Commission * Mandan School Board

Tues, 19th 1:30 pm

3:00 pm

5:30 pm

Met. Planning Org. – Policy Board Burleigh County Human Service Zone Board Mandan City Commission *

Wed, 20th

3:00 pm 5:00 pm

Bismarck Historic Preservation Bismarck Planning & Zoning *

Thurs, 21st

5:15 pm

Bismarck Park District Board

Tues, 26th

5:15 pm

Bismarck City Commission *

Wed, 27th

5:30 pm

Mandan Planning & Zoning *

Meetings are replayed on Government Access channels & are archived online at FreeTV.org * Also available on Radio Access 102.5FM and RadioAccess.org

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RIBBON CUTTINGS | CONNECTION Ribbon cuttings are conducted by a committee of Chamber EDC volunteers called Ambassadors.

Businesses qualify for a ribbon cutting if they open, move, and remodel, are under new ownership, change their name, or offer a new product or service. To find out how you can get a free ribbon cutting from the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC, please call Rachel or Lyndsey at 701-223-5660.

DAKOTA ZOO OTTER EXHIBIT

ART BOX INSTALLATIONS

Dakota Zoo celebrating the Grand Opening of their new exhibit located at 602 Riverside Park Road in Bismarck. Phone: 701-2237543. Member.

AARP ND and the City of Mandan celebrate their new Art Box Installations in downtown Mandan. Phone: 701-255-2242.

Member.

ART ALLEY TALKING TRAIL

FACE FOUNDRIÉ

The Bismarck Mandan Leadership class of 2021 celebrates the completion of their field project located at 117 N 5th Street in downtown Bismarck.

Face Foundrié celebrating the Grand Opening of their new location inside the Kirkwood Mall in Bismarck.

Phone: 701-220-8367.

30 4 Connection

CONNECTION | NEW MEMBERS The Chamber EDC encourages all members to do business with each other. The following companies and organizations have recently made an important investment in their business by joining the Chamber EDC. Please consider them for your professional and personal needs. To find a complete listing of Chamber EDC members, view the Member Directory online at www.bismarckmandan.com.

Haven Hills Foster Care Community 14065 34th St NW Bismarck, ND 58503 (701) 200-7681 Amber Bohl A nonprofit establishing a neighborhood to provide a supportive, safe, and nurturing environment to foster families and the biological families they serve.

Bowers Excavating LLC 163 Riverwood Ave SE Mandan, ND 58554 (701) 663-5619 Krysten Faehnrich Specializes in commercial and residential excavation, grading, and water and sewer installation.

Dakota Nuts-N-Candy LLC 216 N 4th Street Bismarck, ND 58501 (701) 751-7881 Mike Iken Dakota Nuts-N-Candy, a unique boutique shopping experience located in beautiful downtown Bismarck, North Dakota. This veteran owned and operated small business promotes a relaxed shopping experience.

Grateful Cratefulls 200 E Main Ave, Ste 100 Bismarck, ND 58501 (701) 751-1939 Mallory Jensen Grateful Cratefulls is a Gifting Studio! We specialize in custom business gifting and also offer ready to go and create your own gift sets.

Tracy's Sanctuary House 908 N 8th Street Bismarck, ND 58501 (701) 258-5889 Kelsey Zottnick Tracy's Sanctuary House provides temporary sanctuary for out-of-town families during a time when their loved one is in a life-threatening medical crises. We offer home away from home for families.

701 Dental 1110 College Drive, Ste 108 Bismarck, ND 58501 (701) 255-0586 Ashley Bianco Dental Office

Brosz Engineering 2211 E Main Ave, Ste 1 Bismarck, ND 58501 (701) 426-5334 Kenneth Nysether Consulting Civil Engineering and Surveying Healthcare Partners Staffing Inc. 3003 32nd Ave S, Ste 240 Fargo, ND 58103 (701) 732-1722 Angie Schyma Medical Staffing Agency Clear Channel Airports 7450 Tilghman Street Allentown, PA 18106 (610) 395-8002 Matt Doe Clear Channel Airports manages the advertising program within the Bismarck Municipal Airport

HEALTHY CHOICES AT YOUR DOORSTEP. MegFitt creates personalized meal plans based on your food preferences, budget and schedule.

Reach your diet and nutritional goals with our weekly meal plans designed just for you, grocery lists and more. We create your meal plan in seconds!

enjoy 20% off your first order!

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Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC Connection 1640 Burnt Boat Drive Bismarck, ND 58503

UPCOMING CHAMBER EDC EVENTS JANUARY MEMBERSHIP MIXER: EIDE FORD LINCOLN Date: Thursday, January 19, 2024 Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm Location: Eide Ford Lincoln – 800 E Bismarck Expy, Bismarck FOCUS ON BISMARCK-MANDAN Date: Thursday, February 29, 2024 Check-in: 2:00pm • Event Time: 2:30pm - 4:30pm • Social: 4:30pm - 6:00pm Location: University of Mary, Founders Hall – 7500 University Drive, Bismarck MARCH MEMBERSHIP MIXER: BAIN AGENCY Date: Thursday, March 14, 2024 Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm Location: Bain Agency – 1500 E Capitol Ave, Bismarck

FROM THE

BISMARCK MANDAN CHAMBER EDC

CHAMBER EDC ANNUAL DINNER Date: Thursday, April 18, 2024 Check-in/ Social: 5:30pm - 7:00pm • Event Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm Location: Bismarck Event Center, Hall B (Door E42) – 315 S 5th Street, Bismarck LEADERSHIP BISMARCK-MANDAN FIELD PROJECT PRESENTATIONS Date: Wednesday, May 8, 2024 Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm Location: Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC – 1640 Burnt Boat Drive, Bismarck

Remember someone special this holiday season with a gift that continues to give.

All donations support an array of complimentary services to help patients through their cancer journeys.

Complimentary services include: Dietary Counseling • Lodging Assistance Support Groups • Physical Therapy • Massage Therapy Transportation Assistance • Emotional & Spiritual Counseling Provide help today at: bismarckcancercenter.com/donate bismarckcancercenter.com|222-6100|500 N 8th St|Bismarck, ND 58501