ENERGY RELIABILITY
TAKES CENTER STAGE AT FARGO SUMMIT
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DESIGN BRINGS US TOGETHER
With over 200,000 visitors annually, the International Peace Gardens is a celebration of peace through nature. Nestled in the Turtle Mountains on the border of the United States and Canada, the IPG houses — in very small part — more than 5000 cacti and succulents from around the world. Some rare, some endangered, all special with a unique story about how peace, politics, nature, and conservation impact plants from around the world.
DESIGNED IN COLLABORATION WITH LM ARCHITECTURAL GROUP AND HTFC PLANNING & DESIGN
ADVANCING NORTH DAKOTA’S ENERGY FUTURE:
THE ROLE OF THE STATE ENERGY RESEARCH CENTER
In the heart of the Midwest, where energy and innovation intersect, the State Energy Research Center (SERC) stands as a beacon of technological progress and environmental stewardship. Housed within the University of North Dakota’s (UND’s) Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC), SERC is a driving force in ensuring a prosperous energy future for North Dakota.
In the heart of the Midwest, where energy and innovation intersect, the State Energy Research Center (SERC) stands as a beacon of technological progress and environmental stewardship. Housed within the University of North Dakota’s (UND’s) Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC), SERC is a driving force in ensuring a prosperous energy future for North Dakota.
A Legacy of Innovation
Founded in 2019 through legislative action, SERC builds on the EERC’s decades-long history of pioneering energy research. Its mission is clear: develop technologies that keep North Dakota competitive while emphasizing resource conservation and environmental responsibility.
From advancing technologies that reduce carbon emissions from the energy sector and
improve reliability to developing methods for rare earth element recovery, SERC’s efforts are as diverse as the state’s energy landscape. Since its inception, SERC has supported 56 research projects, leading to 13 new inventions, three granted patents, and eight patent applications. These innovations not only drive the energy sector forward but also attract critical investments, with over $32 million in proposed work and more than $14 million in secured nonstate funding.
Empowering the Next Generation
Beyond groundbreaking research, SERC prioritizes education and outreach. The Energy Hawks Program exemplifies this commitment. Supported by SERC, this initiative has engaged nearly 60 students from UND and other educational institutions
in North Dakota, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to be future leaders in the energy industry.
Students participating in the Energy Hawks Program gain hands-on experience by working alongside seasoned researchers. They explore key areas such as sustainable energy technologies, environmental monitoring, and advanced materials development. This real-world exposure enhances their academic learning and prepares them for impactful careers in energy and environmental fields. Additionally, SERC collaborates with educational institutions to provide workshops, seminars, and training sessions that build public awareness about North Dakota’s energy potential. These initiatives ensure that cutting-edge research translates into meaningful societal benefits.
Pioneering Practical Solutions
SERC’s approach emphasizes translating ideas into impactful energy solutions. Projects focus on critical challenges such as grid resiliency; hydrogen production; critical materials; maximizing Bakken oil recovery while minimizing environmental impacts; and carbon capture, utilization, and storage.
SERC is focused on developing new ideas and methodologies to enhance energy production and utilization for all North Dakota stakeholders, from citizens to the state’s energy and agriculture industries.
For example, its work in hydrogen fuel development aims to create sustainable energy alternatives with very low carbon intensity and increased fertilizer production.
SERC’s advanced research in carbon capture technologies supports North Dakota’s energy sector by mitigating carbon emissions from industrial processes and creating opportunity for value-added energy production while maintaining reliability.
“Our mission is to ensure North Dakota’s energy resources remain at the forefront of innovation while being environmentally responsible,” said Charlie Gorecki, EERC CEO. “SERC is reigniting the spirit of innovation, positioning North Dakota for sustainable progress and economic vitality.”
Shaping the Future
With legislative support and a robust research infrastructure, SERC continues to push the boundaries of energy technology. By fostering invention, securing investments, and
cultivating future industry leaders, SERC ensures that North Dakota remains a global energy innovator.
Future endeavors include exploring new frontiers in energy storage and expanding research into renewable energy integration. SERC’s multidisciplinary approach enables seamless collaboration between scientists, engineers, and policymakers, driving transformative outcomes.
Discover more about the EERC and SERC by visiting our website: undeerc.org.
Lignite Coal:
L i ke a d i a m o n d fo rg e d by p re s s u re, l i g n i te i s unearthed for North Dakota’s economic future.
Carbon Capture: Sustaining the industry while infusing the economy.
Rare Earth Elements (REEs): Unlocking domestic sources for critical minerals vital to modern technology.
The Future of Energy: Innovating with value-added byproducts that drive agriculture and industry forward.
As the energy landscape evolves, so does Nor th Dakota lignite coal. It’s not just about keeping the lights on, it’s about leading the charge with solutions that are sustainable, innovative, and economically vital.
Lignite Energy Council: Your Voice for Nor th Dakota Coal
TABLEOFCONTENTS
ENERGY
ENERGY RELIABILITY TAKES CENTER STAGE AT FARGO SUMMIT BY CARRIE MCDERMOTT
LAW
HOW EMPLOYMENT LAW CHANGES ARE AFFECTING BUSINESS BY ANDREA BORSVOLD 22
DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
DEVELOPERS ARE REVITALIZING THE REGION’S DOWNTOWNS BY CARRIE MCDERMOTT
XCEL ENERGY IS DEVELOPING THE UPPER MIDWEST’S LARGEST SOLAR PROJECT NEAR THE EXISTING SHERCO COAL PLANT SITE IN BECKER, MINNESOTA. SHERCO SOLAR WILL HELP MEET XCEL ENERGY CUSTOMERS’ ENERGY NEEDS AS THE
JIM BECK HIRED AS GENERAL MANAGER OF KNBN-TV, NEWSCENTER1 IN RAPID CITY RAPID CITY, S.D. – JIM BECK HAS BEEN HIRED AS THE GENERAL MANAGER OF KNBN-TV NEWSCENTER1 IN RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA. KNBN-TV NEWSCENTER1 JOINED FORUM COMMUNICATIONS CO. IN OCTOBER 2024. BECK IS A 1988 GRADUATE OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY WITH A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT. AFTER GRADUATION, HE WORKED AS AN ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE FOR ALLIED OFFICE INTERIORS FROM 19881992. HE OBTAINED A MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN IN 1992. HE WAS PROMOTED TO CONTROLLER OF ALLIED IN 1992. IN 1998 HE MOVED TO WILX TV AS THEIR BUSINESS MANAGER, A CAPACITY HE SERVED IN UNTIL MAY 2008 WHEN HE WAS NAMED GENERAL SALES MANAGER. IN JUNE 2014, BECK BECAME GENERAL MANAGER OF KCWY IN CASPER, WYOMING AND IN JUNE 2020 HE WAS GIVEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR KGWN IN CHEYENNE AND KNEP IN SCOTTSBLUFF. BECK HAS BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY AND HAS SERVED A NUMBER OF CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING CAPITAL AREA HUMANE SOCIETY, MCLAREN-GREATER LANSING HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION, ROTARY, THE SCIENCE ZONE, THE WYOMING ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS, AND THE NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAILS CENTER FOUNDATION.
VISIT WWW.PRAIRIEBUSINESSMAGAZINE.COM TO SEE THESE AND OTHER NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS AND AWARD WINNERS IN THE REGION.
JIM BECK
CARRIE MCDERMOTT EDITOR
25 YEARS AFTER Y2K, THE APOCALYPSE THAT WASN’T
Happy New Year and welcome to 2025. It’s been 25 years since the turn of the millennium when we were warned that our computer systems would potentially stop working once we hit the year 2000, or Y2K as it was dubbed. The Y2K bug was a problem in the coding of computerized systems predicted to create havoc around the world starting in the year 2000.
I was still in Riverside, California, working for The Press-Enterprise. The newsroom worked on an old ATEX computer system with terminals that had black screens with green text. The concern was the aging computer system wasn’t programmed to go past 1999. The IT team did a workaround of some kind, but we had no idea what would happen and hoped for the best. Thankfully, nothing detrimental occurred, but it was good to be prepared.
Fast-forward to today and the concerns organizations have around the security of their networks seem endless -- hackers causing havoc with data breaches, identity theft, fraud, malware, the list goes on.
In mid-November, I attended Network Center Incorporated’s annual NVision Technology Conference in Fargo. Keynote speaker and financial services expert Jay Tambornino, an IT consultant with the Minnesota Bankers Association, spoke about artificial intelligence – how it started, where it’s at today, and where it’s going. The presentation was geared toward those working in the financial industry, IT and adjacent sectors.
It included some tech-speak that was over my head, but I came away with a basic understanding of how it’s used to help with things like regulatory compliance, customer or market analytics across multiple platforms, and summarizing audits and reports. Choosing the right platform for your business is important, too – will it be cloud-based, on-premise deployment, or edge computing? The main points to consider before implementing any AI system in a business, Tambornino said, are: define what you will use it for, what you will allow it access to, and know where your data is and how it’s classified, among others.
AI is being used in phishing emails – those realistic emails that try and trick the receiver into getting access to a company’s network. It’s also being used in text-to-speech interpreters in scam calls and even in language translators. As time goes on, businesses will be relying more and more on AI-powered software and systems, and clear guardrails need to be put in place to make sure a company and its customers’ data remain secure.
While there, I also sat in on the hacking session remotely presented by NCI Senior Security Engineer Jason Dahl. It was interesting and gave a glimpse into what bad actors can do and see when hacking into targeted systems. User interaction is needed in 94% of all attacks, meaning someone must click on something to start the hack. To combat this, organizations should be providing regular training for employees on ways to spot and prevent a potential hack. Computers that are seven years old or older should be replaced, he said. All good information to have and use moving forward.
This is a reminder to get your nominations in for our annual Top 25 Women in Business contest, which runs through Jan. 13. The link to the nomination form is on the Prairie Business website.
Best wishes until next time!
I look forward to hearing from you at cmcdermott@prairiebusinessmagazine.com or 701-780-1108.
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KORRIE WENZEL
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STACI LORD
EDITOR
CARRIE MCDERMOTT
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BETH BOHLMAN
LAYOUT DESIGN
JAMIE HOLTE
ACCOUNT MANAGER
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Prairie Business magazine is published monthly by the Grand Forks Herald and Forum Communications Company with offices at 3535 31st St. S., Suite 205, Grand Forks, ND 58201. Subscriptions are available free of charge. Back issue quantities are limited and subject to availability ($2/copy prepaid). The opinions of writers featured in Prairie Business are their own. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork are encouraged but will not be returned without a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
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CELEBRATING25YEARS
/ CARRIE MCDERMOTT
IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME
MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS ARE NOW THE NORM
BY CARRIE MCDERMOTT
Editor’s Note: This is the fifth part in a series looking back through the archives of Prairie Business as part of our 25th anniversary celebration.
Developers mixing retail and residential, along with office space, is not a new concept. In fact, today it’s the norm, but there was a time when they were often located in separate and distinct areas of a city. In this issue, we feature several projects with mixed-use spaces in our downtown revitalization article.
In the February 2017 Prairie Business issue, a feature on mixed-use development said it’s what the younger generation wants – neighborhoods that have all the services and amenities.
“The younger generation wants to be able to live, work and play in the same neighborhood,” Raquel Blount, vice president of commercial real estate at Lloyd Companies, said at the time. The developer had recently completed Dawley Farm Village in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It’s a 300acre development anchored by Walmart and Target, and contained about 20 other businesses. Single-family homes, apartments and townhomes were built within walking distance to the shopping destination. The company also worked on the Dakota Crossing development on the south end of Sioux Falls, converting previous farmland into more than 90 acres of developed space.
Grand Forks saw its south end develop in a similar way, the article said, with the first project being a high school. Once the mall and Target were built, commercial development followed. Neighborhoods have been coming together since then, with multi-use buildings featuring businesses and restaurants on lower levels and apartments above.
“When these types of developments are done correctly, you can have all the services within walking distance of your home,” Keith Lund said. Lund, who is currently the president and CEO of Grand Forks Region Economic Development, was the vice president of the organization at the time.
The intentional, self-contained, mixed-use development can make a move to a new city more attractive and create a sense of vibrancy, he said. It must be working, as both cities are seeing growing populations.
In the January 2017 issue, Prairie Business featured a column from Scott Stern, who was with South Dakota’s Governor’s Office of Economic Development. He wrote about the business growth in the state. The year before, Royal Canin USA, a subsidiary of Mars, Inc., had announced the construction of a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in North Sioux City, which was a $100 million investment. North Sioux City saw additional growth when Tennessee-based Red’s All Natural Burritos announced its expansion to the state. Cooperative Ag Processing Inc. celebrated the expansion of its soybean crushing facility in Aberdeen, where it processed 45 million bushels of soybeans a year, creating about 50 jobs.
Those announcements were made possible by the hard work of the economic development team who worked consistently with community and business leaders on those and other projects and initiatives that helped make doing business in the state a reality, Stern said.
State support for business continues to help drive the region’s economic growth, which is exciting for the communities affected and the tri-state area as a whole.
SCREENSHOT OF THE LIVESTREAM FROM THE NOV. 7 MIDWEST ENERGY SUMMIT, HELD IN FARGO. PICTURED IS THE FUTURE OF RENEWABLES EXPERT PANEL FEATURING MODERATOR PAUL JORDAN (CEO, CORVAL GROUP, INC.), DANNY MARTELL (VICE PRESIDENT, CENTRAL REGION AND ENGAGEMENT CAMPAIGNS, NEXTERA ENERGY), JOHN HOLLINGSWORTH (DIRECTOR OF RENEWABLE PROJECTS, ALLETE CLEAN ENERGY), AND BRIA SHEA (REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, REGULATORY, XCEL ENERGY). / CARRIE MCDERMOTT
ENERGY RELIABILITY TAKES CENTER STAGE AT MIDWEST ENERGY SUMMIT
EXPERTS
AT
FARGO EVENT DISCUSS ROLES OF TRADITIONAL, RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
BY CARRIE MCDERMOTT
FARGO, N.D. – Energy companies have three priorities when it comes to electricity – make it affordable, clean and reliable. According to North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) Camilo Serna, those priorities should work in balance together like three legs on a stool. Serna is the vice president of strategy and external engagement at NERC, which was formally established in 2005 by Congress to ensure a highly reliable and secure bulk power system.
He provided an insight into the state of energy reliability in North America during the Midwest Energy Summit held in Fargo Nov. 7. The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber hosted the event.
“We are there to effectively reduce the risk to the reliability and security of the grid and we do that working with multiple stakeholders, multiple companies,” he told the audience. “We’re an industry-based organization that gets input from all of you to develop the work that we do and how we do it.”
NERC develops and enforces mandatory reliability standards for all the transmission companies, the generation companies that are connected to the bulk power system which is done by working with regional entities, he explained. Those entities help NERC audit the implementation of those
ENERGY
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
standards and ensure that the industry maintains a safe, highly secure, reliable grid.
Two expert panels at the summit discussed the future of traditional fuels and renewables. Paul Jordan, CEO of Corval Group, Inc., moderated the renewables panel, where experts discussed how the sector is navigating rising market demand, workforce shortages, changing state and federal policies and other key indicators shaping the future of energy.
Energy demands are complex and growing, thanks to an increase in data centers, semiconductor manufacturing and expanding populations. The opportunity for renewables in this space is huge, according to Bria Shea, regional vice president of regulatory for the Upper Midwest at Xcel Energy. After no to little load growth for 10 or 15 years, electrification has increased the electric vehicle adoption rates and growing data centers are creating increased power load demands, she shared.
“We’re having conversations now around gigawatts, not megawatts. We’re talking about the opportunity to double or triple the current system,” she said. “One nice thing about data centers is that, by and large, a lot of their goals are in line with the sustainability efforts that a lot of us are working towards so they do want to be as clean as possible. Renewables fit really nicely in there.”
The challenge is that renewables are intermittent and data centers require consistent power, as they run non-stop. Shea said there needs to be other resources to support the renewables so power companies can serve these loads 24-7.
“There are really nice partnerships there. As we think about the need for new technology, another advantage of data centers is that they’ve got the capital to invest. Along with utilities and the industry, now we’ve got these other partners starting to spend significant amounts when looking at new nuclear, long-duration storage hydrogen, those supplemental resources that we need,” she said. “I think in addition to the renewable op-
CAMILO SERNA, VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGY AND EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT AT NERC (NORTH AMERICAN ELECTRIC RELIABILITY CORPORATION) GAVE AN INSIGHT INTO THE STATE OF ENERGY RELIABILITY IN NORTH AMERICA DURING THE MIDWEST ENERGY SUMMIT, HELD NOV. 7 IN FARGO. IMAGE TAKEN FROM LIVESTREAM OF EVENT. / CARRIE MCDERMOTT
portunity the data centers bring is the capital that will help us advance these other resources to support the needs that we see overall including from data centers.”
Danny Martell, vice president of Central Region and Engagement Campaigns with NextEra Energy, a wind- and solar-based power generator out of Florida, said the most deployable, fastest source of power for new builds will continue to be renewable energy.
“You can plug and play, and move quickly and absolutely. It’s not a purely dispatchable source of power but nevertheless, it’s quick and it’s affordable,” he said.
Martell cited a report issued in September 2024 by McKenzie Consulting that said in the next seven years, the country will add approximately 470 gigawatts of power, as opposed to the last seven years when about 140 gigawatts were added nationally.
“It has to play a role in terms of how we continue to meet that incredible, mind-blowing demand,” Martell said.
John Hollingsworth, director of renewable projects at Allete Clean Energy, said the busiest years for his company were 2019-2021, when they installed roughly 12-14 gigawatts of wind power. Today, the projected need is 26 or 27 gigawatts.
“The U.S. assembly plants aren’t able to supply all that so you do have to look overseas, unfortunately, for some of this,” he said. “It’s going to be growing at a rapid rate here and how you source products is going to continue to be front of mind for all of us.”
To address the need for a strong workforce to handle the sector’s growth over the next seven years, Xcel is signing labor agreements earlier than ever and mapping out the types of workers needed and what skills they’ll need to possess, Shea said.
“We are definitely being more proactive than we ever have. Labor is part of our project plans like it never has been before,” she said. “In addition to planning and having early conversations we also have a pretty robust training program – apprenticeships where we’re bringing people in so they can do on-the-job training. We’re reaching out to historically underrepresented communities to make sure that everybody has an opportunity here in the energy transition and that we can train you. We will bring you along.”
“It’s difficult to find employees to work, especially in rural communities, who have the skills that can facilitate the necessary demand of operator plants. So if you look in the future, this is only going to grow,” Hollingsworth added.
Another challenge energy leaders cited is navigating different states’ permitting regulations as well as meeting federal regulations. The Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024, introduced over the summer by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), is designed to modernize and streamline the permitting process for energy projects across the country. The current process has created a bottleneck for energy projects and infrastructure buildout, experts say, both of which are needed to achieve the energy transition, ensure grid reliability, meet growing energy demands and reduce energy costs.
Counties within a state can often have different regulations, which creates more hurdles for energy projects. Martell said having a predictable state regulatory environment that funnels downward can help move projects forward.
“It demonstrates to the local government that the capital is here, it wants to stay. It wants to build more, so having predictability is the most important thing,” Martell said.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
There’s one huge advantage of renewables in that there is no volatility in pricing.
— Bria Shea, regional vice president for regulatory, Xcel Energy
Educating the public can be key to helping energy projects succeed, Shea said.
“We get more advocates, more people who are understanding not only the challenges but the opportunities, the economic opportunities, of the jobs that are here,” she said. “It shows how people can participate. The more people understand what we’re doing, the more people can start to talk about this and help our causes because I do think the stability factor is huge for us.”
“There’s one huge advantage of renewables in that there is no volatility in pricing,” Shea continued. “We’re not buying fuel. So once we’ve got that capital spent, we’ve got operation and maintenance expenses, but we’re not exposed to the market like we are with other fuels. I think it all gets back to diversification.”
Nuclear energy is growing in the U.S. About 20% of the country’s electricity has come from nuclear power since 1990, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. As of Aug. 1, 2023, 93 nuclear reactors were in operation at 54 nuclear power plants in 28 states.
Shea said Xcel has three nuclear facilities with a long history of success. The company has also been modeling small modular reactors or SMRs.
“They’ve been a key contributor to our baseload needs as well as our carbon-free goals,” she said of the nuclear facilities. “Our modeling shows SMRs showing up in the late 2030s, early 2040s. Of course, there is a lot of work to do to get there. Sighting is pretty complicated, you need a lot of water, a pretty skilled workforce, and the right infrastructure. ”
Traditional fuels such as natural gas, coal and oil have been the country’s backbone for reliable energy production. Brian Kalk, chief research officer with the Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, served as moderator of the traditional fuels panel. They discussed challenges and opportunities and what lies ahead for the traditional fuels industry.
“As you look at requirements for different types of fuels, that affects the viability of our infrastructure and the use of our infrastructure,” said Danette Welsh, director of government relations with ONEOK, Inc. The company delivers energy products such as natural gas liquids, refined products and crude oil through a more than 50,000-mile pipeline network.
“Say you put a product, a diesel product, into the line in Houston and the demand for that product is in Fargo. It’s much like banking where if you have a kid in college five states away and they need money, you put money into their account and they can take it out. It’s not the same dollar bill, but it’s still constructed the same way, it’s still used the same way. That’s very much the way that our system works,” she said.
Varying fuel delivery requirements across different regions can reduce infrastructure efficiency and increase service costs. When state govern-
ments impose different fuel mandates, it disrupts the cost-effectiveness of the system, Welsh explained, even if there isn’t strong consumer demand for those specific fuels, ultimately raising costs for consumers.
Karl Fennessey, vice president of corporate public policy with ConocoPhillips, said fiscal and regulatory stability are key, along with securing energy stability. The company’s priorities are focused around taxes and regulatory reform, he said.
“You don’t need to take a sledgehammer to everything that was done, but let’s be smart about it. Let’s look at what works, what doesn’t work and let’s use that scalpel to clean things up or to make them so they actually do work so the results you want are achievable in a cost-effective manner,” Fennessey said.
“What happens in North Dakota matters around the world. Not only does it bring low-cost secure energy to the U.S. for all of us, but it also allows the U.S. to project power and to support its allies overseas through exports,” Fennessey continued.
Todd Sailer, vice president of power supply with Minnkota Power Cooperative headquartered in Grand Forks, said North Dakota has some big advantages – its workforce, mineral resources and a stable fiscal and regulatory environment.
“North Dakota is very fortunate to have amazing minerals. We’re still early on in what North Dakota can do to supply low-cost, low-emission barrels for the U.S. and around the globe. So what does that allow us to do as a country? It allows the country to not only insulate itself from the shocks and some of the conflict that’s going on currently in the Middle East but allows you to help your trading partners,” Sailer said.
In wrapping up the discussion, the experts agreed that to increase the reliability of the nation’s power grid, more transmission is needed and each type of fuel source has its own unique set of challenges.
“Traditional fuels are challenged by carbon management, by what our emissions are and how we manage that piece of our product. Renewables are challenged by reliability and nuclear has the challenge of maybe consumer confidence and cost,” Welsh said. “Thinking about the growth of the energy demand domestically, you can’t meet that with any one sector. We need all of those sectors to be able to meet demands.”
BRIAN KALK, CHIEF RESEARCH OFFICER WITH THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER (EERC) AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA IN GRAND FORKS, SERVED AS MODERATOR FOR THE TRADITIONAL FUELS PANEL AT THE MIDWEST ENERGY SUMMIT IN FARGO. / CARRIE MCDERMOTT
WBI ENERGY’S WAHPETON EXPANSION PROJECT
NOW COMPLETE, FUELS GROWTH IN REGION
NEW NATURAL GAS PIPELINE TO SERVE THE CITIES OF WAHPETON AND KINDRED, NORTH DAKOTA
BY MARK SNIDER
WBI Energy’s new Wahpeton Expansion project went into service at the beginning of December 2024. The project consists of approximately 60 miles of new natural gas pipeline to serve the cities of Wahpeton and Kindred, North Dakota. The new pipeline starts near Mapleton, North Dakota where it connects with WBI Energy’s existing pipeline network. From there, it extends south to new natural gas delivery stations near Kindred and Wahpeton to provide additional firm natural gas service to the region.
As demand for agricultural products grows, so does the need for reliable sources of natural gas, which has become more integral to both traditional and large-scale farming operations over the years. WBI Energy’s Wahpeton Expansion project brings much-needed natural gas capacity to southeastern North Dakota to support agricultural producers and processors in the region. The project also offers natural gas farm taps, which support grain drying and other activities that enhance farming operations, and potentially attracting additional large-scale, value-added agriculture projects to the region.
The Wahpeton Expansion project will also benefit surrounding communities and local business owners. Natural gas service will be extended to Kindred through Montana-Dakota Utilities for the first time to meet the residential, commercial, and industrial needs of the community, providing new opportunities for Kindred and the surrounding area.
Pipelines continue to be the safest and most reliable method to transport natural gas in the U.S. and the region, which WBI Energy has been doing for 100 years. The company traces its roots back to the 1920s when several short-haul pipelines were needed to transport newly developing supplies of natural gas to a central electric power plant in eastern Montana. Since that time, WBI Energy has grown its services and territory in the region.
Much like a train delivers cargo to its customers, WBI Energy delivers natural gas to its customers who arrange to receive it. WBI Energy doesn’t buy or sell natural gas. Its customers are natural gas utilities, like affiliate Montana-Dakota Utilities, that serve homes and businesses, or industrial facilities that use natural gas to fuel their operations. WBI Energy’s customers also include natural gas producers, power plants and marketing companies.
WBI Energy operates in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Its 3,800-mile pipeline system has a daily capacity of 2.8 billion cubic feet, which can serve approximately 2.8 million homes on a winter day. WBI Energy is a subsidiary of MDU Resources Group, and also
maintains natural gas storage fields in Montana and Wyoming, with the Montana field being the largest in North America.
Bringing the Wahpeton Expansion project online last month marked the culmination of an almost three-year process of design, regulatory applications and approvals, and construction as well as collaboration with landowners and our neighbors. This milestone project will help fuel growth to communities and businesses in the region. It also reflects the customers’ confidence in WBI Energy to continue providing safe and reliable transportation of a valuable resource that improves our region’s economy and way of life.
Mark Snider is the senior public relations specialist at MDU Resources Group, Inc.
60 MILES OF NATURAL GAS PIPELINE WENT INTO SERVICE IN DECEMBER FOR WBI ENERGY’S NEW WAHPETON EXPANSION PROJECT. / SUBMITTED
LEVO CREDIT UNION RECEIVES FEDERAL APPROVAL FOR SIOUX CITY BANK BRANCH PURCHASE, HIRES BRANCH MANAGER
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. • Levo Credit Union will open its first building in Sioux City, Iowa, in January 2025. Levo has earned regulatory approval to acquire the Heritage Bank branch at 4530 Singing Hills Boulevard. The branch will officially open as Levo’s Singing Hills branch on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Levo, which is headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, will employ the existing staff under direction of branch manager and Sioux City resident Jesús I. Peña-Ortiz.
“I’m excited to put my experience to work for a forward-thinking, community-oriented financial institution like Levo,” said Peña-Ortiz, who has worked for several banks and credit unions in the area in various roles over the past 21 years. “I love Siouxland and I can’t wait to help Levo bring our service-oriented approach to this community.”
The acquisition was recently approved by the FDIC, which oversees banks, as well as the NCUA, which oversees credit unions. In December 2023, Levo announced an expansion of its
service area from four counties around Sioux Falls to 29 counties along the I-29 corridor in South Dakota, Iowa, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Levo already offers online financial services in all 29 counties, including several Iowa and South Dakota counties in the Siouxland area.
“We feel we have something of value to bring to Siouxland,” says Levo President and CEO Fran Sommerfeld. “Our mission is helping peo-
ple live better. With this acquisition, we can serve more people by helping them reach their financial goals.”
When the bank becomes Levo’s Singing Hills Branch in January, its customers will become members of Levo, and Levo will take on most of the deposits and loans. Heritage has reached out to its customers to let them know of the acquisition, and both companies will continue to communicate the impact to customers. The hours of the branch will remain 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Levo has already begun planning how it will support not only its new members, but also its community. Last year Levo’s foundation donated more than $99,000 in goods and services to over 80 causes.
“We support our community because our community makes us what we are, and we’re looking forward to expanding that support to Siouxland,” says Sommerfeld. “Levo means ‘to lift up’, and that’s what we try to do every day.”
BY ANDREA BORSVOLD
The year 2024 ushered in a host of significant changes in business and employment laws across the Upper Midwest, leaving many professionals uneasy about what lies ahead with the anticipated change in national leadership in early 2025. These legislative updates impact businesses and their employees in numerous ways, introducing both challenges and opportunities for compliance and strategic adaptation.
KAREN GRANDSTRAND
Karen Grandstrand, a shareholder at Fredrikson & Byron in Minneapolis and a nationally recognized authority in bank regulatory matters, mergers and acquisitions, and financial industry advising, shared her perspective on the current business law environment.
“The biggest change I have seen is simply the unprecedented number of new laws and regulations and the number of court cases questioning the legality and enforceability of those laws and regulations. Change and uncertainty are the enemies of business; to thrive, business needs stability and certainty,” she said.
HOW EMPLOYMENT LAW CHANGES ARE AFFECTING BUSINESS
ATTORNEYS ARE NAVIGATING A SHIFTING LANDSCAPE
There are still a lot of issues to work through with AI, and I think it should be used as a tool and not as the main driving force of your work.
— AnnaLisa Hamann, law associate, Pemberton Law
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
Among the most impactful recent changes is the implementation of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which took effect in December 2023. The PWFA bridges a critical gap between the protections offered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the unique needs associated with pregnancy. This act requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions.
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“In April 2024, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued final rules clarifying the application of the PWFA,” explained MacKenzie Hertz, an employment and labor law attorney at Vogel Law in Fargo, North Dakota. “These rules have raised some questions, particularly around the scope of conditions covered under the PWFA. The EEOC’s interpretation has been broad, encompassing conditions such as menstruation, infertility treatments, miscarriage, and abortion, asserting that these are all related to pregnancy and childbirth.”
However, this expansive interpretation has not been universally accepted. The North Dakota Attorney General, for instance, has contested the inclusion of abortion as a condition requiring workplace accommodation under the PWFA. These challenges may lead to further legal debates and adjustments to the scope of the act in the future.
Earned Sick and Safe Time in Minnesota
In Minnesota, a significant change for employers and employees in 2024 was the expansion of the Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) law. This provision grants employees paid, job-protected leave for various qualifying reasons, including personal or family illness, weather-related closures, and public health emergencies. Employees accrue one hour of ESST for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 48 hours annually.
An important amendment to the ESST Act in May 2024 added bereavement to the list of qualifying leave reasons. Additionally, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz introduced a clause requiring employers with Paid Time Off (PTO) policies exceeding the ESST minimums to permit employees to use their PTO as protected ESST for personal illness or injury. This expansion underscores the state’s commitment to supporting workers during challenging times.
Corporate Transparency Act
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), effective Jan. 1, 2024, introduced new compliance requirements for businesses to report their Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Businesses established before 2024 had until January 1, 2025, to comply, while those formed in 2024 and beyond must report within 90 days.
This legislation aims to combat money laundering and financial crimes by enhancing transparency about the individuals behind corporate entities.
Lisa K. Cagle, a business and employment law attorney at Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson & Ashmore in Rapid City, South Dakota, emphasized the international pressures driving the act’s enforcement.
“When they investigate a business, they want to be able to get the BOI and find who the owners and key people are behind the business,” Cagle explained.
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MACKENZIE HERTZ
LISA K. CAGLE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19
Although there is speculation that changes in national leadership could soften or delay these requirements, Cagle believes the act is unlikely to be repealed, given its alignment with global anti-corruption initiatives.
Despite the law’s intent, challenges have arisen. A federal district court in Texas issued a temporary injunction against the CTA in December 2024, citing concerns about its implementation timeline. These legal proceedings may affect the compliance deadlines and enforcement strategies in the coming year.
Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace
Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape industries, including the legal profession and broader business operations. While initially met with resistance, AI is now being embraced as a tool for efficiency and innovation.
AnnaLisa Hamann, a new law associate at Pemberton Law in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, discussed the evolution of attitudes toward AI.
“I see the law practice is eager to use AI to assist with efficiencies, but sometimes it feels like it takes the humanity out of the work,” Hamann said. “There are still a lot of issues to work through with AI, and I think it should be used as a tool and not as the main driving force of your work.”
Hertz echoed this sentiment, highlighting recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor on AI usage.
“Business leaders should establish clear AI policies in their workplaces. This includes deciding whether employees are allowed to use AI tools at all and ensuring that open-source programs don’t compromise confidential and proprietary information,” Hertz said.
These precautions are essential to harnessing AI’s benefits while mitigating risks.
The Impact of Administrative Changes
The impending change in national leadership has brought additional uncertainty. Historically, administrative transitions result in shifts in policy focus and regulatory enforcement.
Grandstrand reflected on this dynamic, noting, “A change in Administration typically has two results. First, current government agency staff are slow to respond to pending matters, not knowing whether they will have new leadership and, if so, how that leadership would want them to decide
certain issues. Second, a change in Administration generally results in new leadership at the government agencies, which significantly changes what issues are focused on and in what fashion.”
The current administration has prioritized employee-friendly policies, while the incoming party is expected to favor employer interests. These ideological shifts will likely influence the direction of regulatory enforcement and legislative priorities, necessitating careful monitoring by businesses and legal professionals.
Navigating Legal Trends and Resources
Staying informed about these developments is crucial for businesses striving to remain compliant and competitive. Several resources are available to help organizations navigate the evolving legal landscape. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) provides comprehensive updates and guidance on employment law changes, while state bar associations in Minnesota, North Dakota, or South Dakota offer localized expertise. For specific advice, consulting regional law firms or exploring their blogs can provide valuable insights.
As 2025 begins, businesses must remain agile in adapting to these changes. By leveraging resources, seeking legal counsel, and proactively addressing new regulations, companies can position themselves for success in a rapidly changing environment.
DOWNTOWNREVITALIZATION
IN PLACES LIKE SIOUX FALLS, FARGO AND MOORHEAD, DOWNTOWN IS THE CITY’S HEARTBEAT
A LOOK AT THE REVITALIZATION
OF THREE DOWNTOWNS IN THE REGION
BELL TOWER, LOCATED AT 520 MAIN AVENUE IN FARGO, WILL BRING MORE THAN 300 EMPLOYEES TO THE AREA, CONTRIBUTING TO DOWNTOWN FARGO’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. / COURTESY BELL BANK
BY CARRIE MCDERMOTT
The look of the region’s downtowns continues to change and improve, thanks to area developers, private-public partnerships, and forward-thinking leaders. Successful downtowns are walkable and safe, often have public art, engaging storefronts and community gathering spots. Here’s a look at the downtowns of three cities in the region.
Fargo
A new landmark in Fargo is Bell Tower. Bell Bank opened its new headquarters over the summer with the construction of the 14-story Bell Tower, which will eventually house 300 employees. Partnering with Olaf Anderson Construction to develop the 14-story office space, the two worked to ensure more than 75% of the contractors, subcontractors and other vendors were from Fargo and the surrounding region.
“Bell Tower presented an opportunity for our organization to support local businesses and do our part to minimize waste and ensure our building operates as efficiently and responsibly as possible,” said Laine Brantner, executive vice president and COO at Bell Bank, who oversaw the construction.
Jeff Furnstenau, CEO of Olaf Anderson, said he appreciates that Bell intentionally set out to ensure the majority of work done on the project was by local companies. This project was one of the largest his company has worked on.
JEFF FURSTENAU
“They brought us in, and then we did our best to chase as many local subcontractors and suppliers (as possible), to give everybody an opportunity to try and get the work,” he said.
Rocky Schneider, executive director of Fargo’s Downtown Community Partnership, said his favorite part of the Bell Tower project is that it was designed to overlook Island Park.
“I grew up near it, it’s huge. I always thought it should be like Central Park, where you have buildings lining the whole thing,” Schneider said. “I think they took full advantage of it and I hope it spurs more development around Island Park and expands downtown.”
THE HISTORIC BLACK BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN FARGO’S CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ON BROADWAY. / KILBOURNE GROUP
ROCKY SCHNEIDER
When Block 9 opened a few years back, he said it helped convince people that the city could be an urban or metropolitan area. Next door is Broadway Square, a downtown park that’s a public-private partnership hosting dozens of activities and events each year.
“It helped revitalize the pedestrian nature,” Schneider said. “But 2004 is when we really started the revitalization of downtown, making some big public and private investments.”
Other current projects include The Avery, which will contain 168 apartments, along with the 400-seat Fargo Moorhead Community Theater and a city-owned parking garage, by local developer the Kilbourne Group. The building will draw from NP Avenue’s history as Machinery Row, and its name comes from the Avery Tractor Company, which used to be located on the site between Renaissance Hall and Old Broadway.
Moorhead
In Minnesota, across the Red River from Fargo, Moorhead is seeing its own downtown remade with the demolition of the Moorhead Center Mall. The area will become mixed-use housing and retail and will re-establish key streets and strengthen the connection to the river. The Downtown Moorhead Development intends to create a cultural destination that’s connected to museums to offer new opportunities for art, education and architecture.
Derrick LaPoint, president and CEO of Downtown Moorhead Inc., said discussions about doing something with the mall started around 2018.
“When urban renewal took out our downtown, businesses were disrupted. Some wanted to take ownership rather than lease. We had 20 different owners at the mall, which was super unique, but made for a complicated situation to move forward,” he said.
The city of Moorhead eventually acquired the mall property in an effort to bring commercial, residential and civic projects to the area, including a new city hall site. Two of those projects are
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GUNDERSON PALMER NELSON & ASHMORE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22
DOWNTOWNREVITALIZATION
underway now -- a mixed-use project on the east end of the site, dubbed the 600 Block project by Sterling Development Group, and the Community Center Library that will combine a community center and library.
LaPoint said even with infrastructure challenges, it’s fun to see the opportunities coming to life in rebuilding the downtown area.
“Our plan is to embrace and connect the river. We’re higher on the Minnesota side so don’t need a floodwall like Fargo. We’re hoping to tap into the connections around the site,” he said.
Those amenities include Viking Ship Park and a natural playground to the north of the site.
“There’s a general excitement about making an area where the community can feel a sense of pride. We’re excited for the transformation,” he said.
Sioux Falls
In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the first phase of The Steel District features the new seven-story Canopy by Hilton hotel, a nine-story mixed-use building and parking ramp surrounded by apartments, office space and retail. Lloyd Companies is the developer. In the spring, a neighborhood bar, a gift shop, and a boutique are scheduled to open.
Jake Quasney, chief operating officer at Lloyd Companies, said the company’s new headquarters is located inside the building, as well as three restaurants. There are 96 apartments for lease, and of 18 condos, about a dozen are still available, he said in early December.
“It has fit in well with the overall area. There’s parkland on three sides, Jacobson Plaza (at the Falls), and in spring, the splash park and dog park will be open,” he said. “We have the trail system. There’s Lloyd Landing overlooking the falls on the east side of the property. It’s a great project; there’s something for everyone.” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23
Bob Mundt, president and CEO of Sioux Falls Development Foundation, said the riverfront area with Falls Park is becoming a destination for residents and visitors, thanks to projects like The Steel District and Cherepa Place on the east bank of the Big Sioux River. Cherapa Place, features apartments, luxury condos, office space, retail, restaurants and more.
“It has become a mecca, where you can live downtown in an urban setting, the services all close, It’s re-energized the city,” he said. “We’re growing fast, adding 5,000-7,000 people per year, and housing is an issue to address. We’re taking a look to see what we can redevelop or reimagine. That’s been our focus the last few years. Our philosophy is, that downtown is the heartbeat of the city, let’s give people reasons to come to our downtown. We think it will continue to pay dividends.”
Another new development in Sioux Falls is Railyard Flats by Pendar Properties. Located on the east bank of downtown, it’s the state’s first modern mass timber apartment building. CEO Jeff Scherschligt said he’s a nontraditional developer, who partners with his daughter for a lot of the design work and management of properties.
“The city has a good mix of businesses, a new industrial park where they added a 500,000 square-foot Amazon warehouse, Schwan’s manufacturing is going in. We’re growing in all directions,” Scherschligt said. “It’s a dynamic community, comparable to Fargo. Our diversification is our key to success. We have health care, agriculture, banking, trust laws -- all growth industries that will see Sioux Falls grow into the future.”
BOB MUNDT
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MANTZ
Bismarck State College
Graduates spring 2025
Finance major ANDREW
BSC’S TUITION BENEFITS FUEL EMPLOYEE
ANDREW MANTZ’S ACADEMIC PURSUIT
AFTER GRADUATION, HE WILL CONTINUE HIS CAREER AT BISMARCK STATE COLLEGE’S BOOKSTORE
Andrew Mantz, manager of the campus bookstore, will graduate in the spring with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Finance from Bismarck State College. This is the second time he’s attended the polytechnic college. He graduated in 2015 with an associate degree. In 2018, he was hired to work at the college’s billing office. Four years later, BSC began offering a bachelor’s degree in finance, so he enrolled once again.
“I’ve always had an interest in business, so I jumped on that degree right away and will finish up in spring 2025,” he said. “BSC is incredibly supportive of their employees and continuing education. So from the start, as soon as I told my former supervisor that I was thinking about going back to school, she was all about it. She was like,’ Please, do get your degree’,” he said. “BSC offers tuition discounts and things like that for employees, as well. So, BSC is extremely supportive of their employees furthering their education.”
BY CARRIE MCDERMOTT
BSC is incredibly supportive of their employees and continuing education.
ANDREW MANTZ IN HIS OFFICE AT BISMARCK STATE COLLEGE, WHERE HE’S ALSO STUDYING FOR A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN FINANCE.
COLLEGE
Career opportunities for this degree include financial planner, auditor, banker, purchase manager and budget analyst, among others.
Mantz said he chose to attend the college because it was local -- he’s a Bismarck native -- it’s affordable and his mother has been an employee there for about 30 years, he said. His siblings have also attended BSC.
When the longtime bookstore manager announced their retirement and the job posting went up, Mantz applied.
“Being able to stay with BSC by joining the bookstore worked out perfectly. The bookstore functions as its own business,” he said.
Mantz recommends BSC to everyone he talks to, regardless of whether they know what they want to study.
“I say, start with Bismarck State College, because it’s going to be cheaper than going to one
of the bigger schools, and it really is just a really good education. The instructors here are fantastic and I always recommend people come here first,” he said.
He has been inspired by his instructor, Associate Professor of Finance Steven Wangler, who Mantz describes as “a very smart, very savvy investment guy.”
Mantz appreciated learning from Wangler about investing and career options, such as financial management.
BSC markets itself as student success-focused and offers more than 100 certificate, associate and bachelor’s degree program options. In addition, it’s affordable, Mantz said. The total cost for tuition and fees for one year, based on 12 credits per semester, is around $5,000 for a North Dakota resident studying on campus, the school’s website states.
“It’s one of the cheapest campuses in North Dakota to go to college,” he said, “So really, that
combination of student success, affordability and it has that sort of that small town feel, where you’re not an overwhelming campus of 60,000 students or something like that,” Mantz said. “Those three things, I think, are a perfect reason to go to BSC.”
Due to working full-time and carrying a full courseload, he’s not involved in extracurricular activities on campus. Still, he does attend campus events as an employee periodically.
“Originally, I had thought of going to NDSU to get a bachelor’s in business management but I wasn’t really sure, right out of high school, if that’s really what I wanted to do. The degree offered at BSC is very heavy in accounting and in finance, so I thought it would be perfect to get my foot in the door and start there. It’s worked out, and now I’m managing the bookstore at BSC,” he said.
Mantz plans to continue working at the campus bookstore after graduation.
ANDREW MANTZ, A SENIOR MAJORING IN FINANCE, IS THE BISMARCK STATE COLLEGE BOOKSTORE MANAGER. / COURTESY BISMARCK STATE COLLEGE
Q.INSIGHTS & INTUITION
This month we asked: What’s one of your top business goals in the new year?
Cory Geffre
Chief Nursing Officer
Altru Grand Forks, N.D.
Altru is committed to delivering the highest quality care. Quality in healthcare encompasses patient and staff safety, exceptional patient experiences, and measurable outcomes like infection rates and readmissions. Altru’s quality outcomes are strong, yet the journey to excellence continues with a focus on improvement and innovation.
Improvement involves refining existing processes and adopting best practices from peer hospitals and other industries. Innovation, on the other hand, requires breaking new ground — embracing ideas from fields like hospitality or aviation to challenge traditional healthcare norms. This balance of improvement and innovation fuels progress.
A pivotal moment in our quality journey arrives with the opening of our new hospital designed to revolutionize the way we deliver care and eliminate current barriers. This state-of-the-art facility is a launchpad for our evolution, with the ultimate goal of achieving a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. While Altru excels in clinical outcomes, we are committed to elevating patient satisfaction by ensuring the care experience matches the quality of the building.
Structured efforts, including daily huddles, targeted workgroups, and leadership oversight, are in place to tackle areas of opportunity while maintaining high standards in others. With a clear strategy and unwavering dedication, Altru aims to enhance hospitality, customer service, and satisfaction, ensuring patients feel as confident in their care as they will in the new facility. The journey to five-star excellence is well underway, driven by a shared commitment to continuous improvement.
Looking ahead to 2025, one of TSP’s primary business goals is to enhance our current focus on the growth and development of every team member. We understand that the success of our firm is directly tied to the success of our people at all levels. We firmly believe that our greatest strength lies in our people, and by focusing on all levels of our team, we can collectively achieve even greater success as an organization.
Our vision is clear: to rise together. Growth is not limited to advancing one’s technical skills or leadership development, but it is about empowering each team member to reach their full potential, contribute meaningfully, and thrive in their roles. This intentional focus will strengthen our foundation and prepare us to tackle new challenges with innovation, collaboration, and confidence.
This year, TSP is proud to mark 95 years in business. As we celebrate this significant milestone and look back on our legacy, we remain committed to providing additional resources and opportunities while fostering a culture that prioritizes both personal and professional development. Whether through training programs, mentorship, or other new initiatives, our commitment to growth remains at the forefront of everything we do.
This goal goes beyond financial success. It is about building a legacy of excellence. By supporting each member of our team and aligning our efforts, we will not only meet but exceed expectations, ensuring the continued success and advancement of our firm.
At Gate City Bank, every goal we pursue is aligned with our core purpose: to create a better way of life for customers, communities and team members. And as we enter the year ahead, one initiative hits especially close to home – helping to alleviate the region’s childcare shortage.
Childcare availability is essential for fostering strong communities. It assists working families, stimulates local economies and equips the next generation with the skills and confidence they need to thrive. Since launching our one-of-a-kind BetterLife™ Child Care Business Loan in 2022, we’ve committed to investing $10 million to help address the critical need for daycare availability across North Dakota and central Minnesota, saving providers more than $1.6 million in interest. Our unique program makes it easier for them to hire extra help, make upgrades, start new daycares and expand operations.
To date, this initiative has supported 850 children in North Dakota. One nonprofit described it as “a Godsend” – and for good reason. The program not only features below-market interest rates as low as 2.02% APR*, but extended terms and no origination fees. After kicking off the program with $5 million in funding, we quickly experienced spiking demand, which prompted an additional $5 million investment for 2025!
We recognize the vital role that child care plays in our communities, and the ripple effect it has on the people we serve. We’re proud to continue innovating ways to support our communities, and honored to invest in a better way of life for all.
David Schornack Director of Business Development and Sales
Arvig
Perham, Minn.
Chris Lee Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Gate City Bank Fargo, N.D. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender
At Arvig, one of our business goals for 2025 is to continue our commitment to deliver a truly exceptional customer experience. We’ve just completed major upgrades to our systems and streamlined internal processes, so we’re now better equipped than ever to serve our customers seamlessly and effectively. From the moment someone reaches out—whether online or by phone — to the installation of their services and ongoing support, we aim to make every interaction smooth, personalized and positive. At Arvig, being customer-focused is at the heart of everything we do, ensuring our customers feel valued and supported every step of the way.
On the technical and network side of the business, we’re always improving our fiber network, and one area of focus we are continuing to build up is our network redundancy to ensure the best possible uptime. We want our customers to be efficient and productive, and they need an always-on fiber network to achieve their business goals. Our network team, technicians, fiber splicers — every team member—is committed to investing in and implementing the best available technology to ensure our network offers great speed and reliability. Building a network our customers rely on goes right back to that original goal of a great customer experience. 2025 is shaping up to be another exciting year at Arvig, and our customers will definitely benefit from the many customer service improvements we’ve made.
BYTHENUMBERS
CIVILIAN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, SEASONALLY ADJUSTED
Both the unemployment rate, at 4.2%, and the number of unemployed people, at 7.1 million, changed little in November. These measures are higher than a year earlier, when the jobless rate was 3.7%, and the number of unemployed people was 6.3 million. Employment trended up in health care, leisure and hospitality, government, and social assistance. Retail trade lost jobs. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for Blacks (6.4%) edged up in November. The jobless rates for adult men (3.9%), adult women (3.9%), teenagers (13.2%), Whites (3.8%), Asians (3.8%), and Hispanics (5.3%) showed little or no change over the month.
REASONS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT, SEASONALLY ADJUSTED
The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was little changed at 1.7 million in November. This measure is up from 1.2 million a year earlier. The long-term unemployed accounted for 23.2% of all unemployed people.
Source: U.S.
EMPLOYMENT AND AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS BY INDUSTRY
In November, average hourly earnings for all employees on private non-farm payrolls rose by 13 cents, or 0.4%, to $35.61. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 4.0%. In November, average hourly earnings of private-sector production and non-supervisory employees rose by 9 cents, or 0.3%, to $30.57.
EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY, MONTHLY CHANGERS, WITH CONFIDENCE INTERVALS
Total non-farm payroll employment rose by 227,000 in November, following little change in the prior month (+36,000). Payroll employment had increased by an average of 186,000 per month over the 12 months prior to November. Over the month, employment trended up in health care, leisure and hospitality, government, and social assistance. Employment increased in transportation equipment manufacturing, reflecting the return of workers who were on strike. Retail trade lost jobs.
