Community Leadership Institute

SURVEY OF NORTH DAKOTA BUSINESSES SHOWS POSITIVE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AMIDST CONCERNS ABOUT WORKFORCE, HEALTHCARE, AND CHILDCARE

The Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth, in partnership with the Greater North Dakota Chamber (GNDC), formally released the results of a business climate survey that was conducted over the summer of 2022. More than 200 businesses completed the North Dakota Business Conditions and Climate Survey conducted by the Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth at North Dakota State University. The survey assessed the state’s regulatory and business environment to gain insights into policies that could enable improved economic performance. “North Dakota is constantly being ranked and measured by current conditions of economic outputs. These results have positioned our state as #1, #23, #7, and so on, but these findings don’t drill deeper to examine barriers to growth or catalysts of success,” stated Arik Spencer, GNDC CEO and President. “We partnered on this survey to discover an accurate assessment of current business conditions from those choosing to do business in North Dakota.” The survey revealed that most North Dakota businesses believe the state has a good business climate, but they continue to be held back by an inability to attract workers, high healthcare costs, and lack of access to affordable, high-quality childcare. Spencer continued, “We appreciate the Challey Institute for their assessment and work. GNDC anticipates that these results will aid policymakers in crafting legislation to further benefit the growth of our state.” Key Results

Businesses overwhelmingly agree (95 percent) North Dakota has a good business climate. A majority of businesses said North Dakota policymakers have created a supportive business environment (87 percent), and North

Dakota has adequate infrastructure for business success (83 percent). Nearly three-quarters of firms operating in multiple states said North Dakota has a better regulatory environment and business climate than other states where they operate.

Businesses highlighted a number of factors positively affecting their performance in North Dakota. The top three factors are being a right-to-work state (53 percent), low taxes (43 percent), and high-quality education (38 percent).

The number one factor holding businesses back is difficulty attracting and retaining qualified workers (62 percent). Other factors negatively affecting business performance include high healthcare costs (37 percent) and a lack of access to affordable and high-quality childcare (30 percent). Overall, concerns about workforce, healthcare costs, and childcare emerged throughout the survey.

North Dakota businesses are optimistic about the year ahead. Nearly two-thirds of participants believe their business performance will improve in the upcoming year. Half of respondents plan to invest in facilities and equipment in North Dakota within the next year, with a majority planning to expand operations. “These results can serve as a first step in identifying the barriers that are preventing the state from reaching its economic potential,” writes John Bitzan, author of the report and Menard Family Director of the Challey Institute. He added, “They show that the state has a great business climate, but also that we have important challenges to address to enable businesses to continue to be successful in the future.” The perspectives of North Dakota businesses on current business conditions, expectations, and future plans were captured in this survey with an exclusive release to the business community at the Greater North Dakota Chamber 2022 Policy Summit. Information about survey participants, questions, and methodology is available at https://www.ndsu.edu/ challeyinstitute/research/publications/nd-business-climate/

Minot Public Schools is excited to announce the groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the construction and renovation work on Minot North High School and Minot Area Work Force Academy was held Monday, October 31st, 2022, at 10:00am on the future site for both locations at 2100 21st Ave NW in Minot, ND. State and local leaders were there to give comments and celebrate what the groundbreaking signifies for Minot Public Schools, MAFB, and the City of Minot. Dr. Mark Vollmer, Superintendent of Minot Public Schools stated, “This is a huge step to an even better learning environment for our high school students. Developing relationships with teachers, counselors, coaches, and staff that continue for all four years of their high school career will provide long term rewards to our students. We are looking at this expansion with long range vision for students at Minot Public and our whole community, it is an exciting time for our city.” Work to Magic City Campus has been underway since late June and has made large updates to many of the Career and Technical disciplines. Demolition and groundwork have begun for the new gymnasium. Evaluation of the science areas is currently being completed with design work to continue over the school year. In December of 2021, the citizens of Minot overwhelmingly passed a bond referendum for two comprehensive 9-12 grade high schools and a third middle school in Minot, it also included the addition of a 50meter competition pool and athletic complex with full stadium amenities. The project involves construction, remodeling and repurposing the former Cognizant Building and improvements. The projects include improvements and remodeling at Magic City Campus to a comprehensive nine-through-twelve high school building including science classrooms, Career and Technical Education space, and an additional gymnasium, and improvements to Central Campus from its current ninth and tenth-grade configuration to a comprehensive sixth-through-eighth grade middle school.

The following participants in the 2022 Community Leadership Institute (CLI) completed the CLI program. Their final session was October 27 where they presented their final project.

Carleton Borden Boy Scouts of America Northern Lights Council Cole Brose First Western Bank & Trust Jeff Bullock Roosevelt Park Zoo Brandi Clark Roosevelt Park Zoo Kathy Grube First International Insurance

Kami Hanson Banchmark Mortgage Brooke Houle First International Bank & Trust David Hughes First Western Insurance Darin Johannes SRT Je-Mario Jones SRT

Lofton Klabunde First International Bank & Trust

LeAnn Mellum Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Morgan Kroeger Aspire Community Federal Credit Union

Chelsea Mihalick Roosevelt Park Zoo Hannah Lautenschlager First Western Bank & Trust Jessica Lee Verendrye Electric Cooperative

Christy Miller Souris Valley United Way Fr. Jadyn Nelson Bishop Ryan Catholic School Lt. Matt McLeod Minot Police Department

Samantha Rasmusson American Family Agency

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE WRAPS UP AND GIVES BACK

The 2022 Community Leadership Institute class wrapped up their 8-week course October 27 as they unveiled how they did with their project. The group was tasked with helping the Lord’s Cupboard. After working with their companies, gathering items and taking part in a number of fundraisers, the group raised $4,200 and 1,415 pounds of food. Congrats to the class of 2022. If you would like to sign up for CLI in 2023, contact Carla at the Chamber EDC as the class is filling up fast.

JAMAICAN VYBZ KITCHEN

315 Main Street S Suite 200 Minot, ND 58701 701-441-9309 www.facebook.com/jamaicanvybzkitchen

Ambassadors helped Jamaican Vybz Kitchen celebrate their new location with a ribbon cutting. The restaurant started as a food truck and offers authentic Jamaican cuisine with a local flare.

HOTEL REVEL, SURESTAY COLLECTION BY BEST WESTERN

1510 26th Ave SW Minot, ND 58701 701-852-4300 www.revelnd.com Owner/Manager: Liberty Sierra Vista, LLC

Ambassadors helped cut the ribbon at Hotel Revel, a modern boutique hotel located in the heart of Minot. Hotel Revel seamlessly blends the city’s calming, natural beauty and storied past with its emerging arts and culture scene.

MINOT MASONIC CENTER - SHRINERS STATUE

2524 E Burdick Expressway Minot, ND 58701 701-838-3427 www.ndmasons.com

Ambassadors were welcomed to the Minot Masonic Center to unveil the Shriners Statue, recently restored by a local member.

CORNERSTONE BANK

415 20th Ave SW Minot, ND 58701 701-418-5500 https://www.cornerstonebanks.net/locations/minot-nd/

Ambassadors joined Cornerstone Bank to cut the ribbon and enjoy a meal at their new Minot location during their grand opening.

LIV ENERGY AND NUTRITION

118 8th Ave NW Minot, ND 58703 701-852-5749 https://www.facebook.com/LivEnergyandNutrition Owner: Katie Tudahl

Ambassadors helped cut the ribbon at Liv Energy and Nutrition, a new nutrition shop helping people find a healthy alternative for a snack. Since it's opening in August, LIV Energy and Nutrition has been serving up seasonal items like their protein shake meal replacements and a customer favorite: tea bombs. Stop by today! EXTENDED STAY AMERICA SUITES-MINOT

1009 20th Ave SE Minot, ND 58701 701-837-1500 www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/ND/minot

Ambassadors cut the ribbon at Extended Stay America Suites - Minot, during their grand opening. Whether you're staying a few days, a few weeks or longer, this hotel gives you the opportunity to make the most of your time in Minot.

BREMER BANK

1615 36th Ave. SW Minot, ND 58701 701-852-3361 www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/ND/minot Minot Market President: Michael King

Ambassadors cut the ribbon at the new Bremer Minot branch. The inviting revitalized space consolidates two previous Minot branches into one building to offer a more streamlined and modern customer experience.

NEW MEMBER INVESTORS

Sound CPA, PLLC

Sara Du Toit, Owner 8411 County Road 19 S Minot, ND 58701 (701) 389-9166 www.sound-cpa.com sara@sound-cpa.com Sara enjoys building and cultivating long lasting relationships with clients. The Minto, ND native graduated Summa Cum Laude from UND in accountancy in 2002. Many clients have commented on how in depth into their operations she is and how grateful they are for her hard work.

The Minot Hot Tots are a summer collegiate baseball team in the Northwoods League. They are excited to bring people together with food, family, and FUN in the summer of 2023.

Minot Hot Tots

Monica Blake, General Manager & Managing Partner 1905 2nd Street SE, Suite S4 58701 (402) 206-1886 www.hottotsbaseball.com monica@hottotsbaseball.com