The Communicator - September 2023

PO Box 940

Minot, ND 58702-0940

(701) 852-6000

www minotchamberedc com

CHAMBER EDC STAFF

BrekkaKramer,President|CEO brekka@minotchamberedc com

CarlaDolan,VicePresident carla@minotchamberedc com

KatieDotson,Communications&OutreachSpecialist katie@minotchamberedc com

ChandaDeCent,FinanceDirector chanda@minotchamberedc com

KeliRosselli-Sullivan,WorkforceDevelopment Specialist&MilitaryLiaison keli@minotchamberedc com

JaimeHauge,ExecutiveAssistant jaime@minotchamberedc com

MarkLyman,EconomicDevelopmentSpecialist mark@minotchamberedc com

AmandaNybakken,AdministrativeAssistant minot@minotchamberedc com

MarieSanders,AdministrativeAssistant minot@minotchamberedc.com

MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT

Lacey Coleman, Manager

Tammy Hanson, Clerk

Wendy Keldson, Clerk

Tracey Oja, Clerk

Kim Reedy, Clerk

Destiny Waddle, Clerk

Karen Heatherly, Clerk

CHAMBER EDC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair:KevinBlack|CreedenceEnergyServices

Chair-Elect:CassidyHjelmstad|SRT

Vice-Chair:RyanAckerman|Ackerman-Estvold

PastChair:RandyHauck|VerendryeElectricCooperative

Treasurer:MissyFeist-Erickson|PeoplesStateBank

PeterB Hankla|McGee,Hankla&Backes,P C

JonnKnecht|BraveraBank

LesKnudson|AGTFoods

JasonOlson|WardCounty

MayorTomRoss|CityofMinot

JohnM Kutch|TrinityHealth

Dr.SteveShirley|MinotStateUniversity

Dr.MarkVollmer|MinotPublicSchools

JasonZimmerman|MinotAreaCommunityFoundation

THANKYOU,MEMBER-INVESTORS!

Your support of our operation allows us to advocate for the Minot community and fulfill our strategic initiatives It helps create a stronger, more robust city

CORNERSTONE

$10,000+ANNUALSUPPORT MAGIC

$5,000ANNUALSUPPORT

PREMIER

$2,500ANNUALSUPPORT

AGT Foods USA

BNSF Railway

Brady, Martz & Associates, P.C.

Concrete Mobile LLC

Delta Vacations

Gravel Products

Logical Control Systems

McGee, Hankla & Backes, P.C.

Midco

Minot Milling

Minot Paving

Minot State University

North Star Community Credit Union

Peoples State Bank

Ryan Family Dealership

Walmart Supercenter

GROUNDBREAKINGNEWSONMINOTAFB

On August 15, 2023, Minot Air Force Base held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new facility for the 54th Helicopter Squadron, which will house the new MH-139A Grey Wolf The Grey Wolf will replace the 54th Helicopter Squadrons’ UH-1N Huey that has been in use since 1996

The Grey Wolf is a multi-mission capable helicopter designed to protect intercontinental ballistic missile facilities and transport U S government officials and security forces

The new facility will consist of three maintenance hangar bays, six aircraft shelter bays and three hangar bays for aircraft on alert; in addition it will also contain offices, briefing rooms, storage space, aircrew flight equipment storage and four bays to house land vehicles for tactical response. The building, once fully constructed, will be approximately 133,000 square feet.

Col. Kenneth McGhee, 91st Missile Wing commander, provided remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony of the new facility and its positive impact to the Minot AFB mission set.

“Once constructed, this new facility will house 35 Airmen on 24 hour shifts, rotating day to day to launch our Airmen across the missile field to support convoy operations, missile field emergencies, search and rescue operations, and other future potential challenges”, said McGhee, “That’s the very definition of integrated lethality ”

The 54th Helicopter Squadron provides helicopter security response for the 91st Missile Wing located at Minot Air Force Base The squadron supports emergency war order taskings by transporting tactical response force t i t f l h f ilit d i l t d ti Th d l d t

MULT INGEVENT

The Minot Area Chamber EDC was a supporting sponsor of the North Dakota Dept. of Commerce’s Multi-State Placemaking Best Practices Workshop on August 3rd at Minot State University and Downtown Minot Placemaking is all about reimagining and designing public spaces in ways that connect to the people who use them

After an few words by MACEDC board members Mayor Tom Ross and Dr Steven Shirley, the group went downtown where the Minot Area Council of the Arts team gave a great introduction and led everyone around the area, exploring some existing placemaking projects.

Margie from Margie's Art Glass Studio and Jessica from Aksal Group presented downtown insight before the group returned to the University An inspiring presentation about how Placemaking has been utilized, and ways it can further be explored within our community was then given by the amazing Placemaking experts

We want to extend a huge thank you to the ND Department of Commerce team for holding this Workshop in Minot and helping to highlight all the awesome community development efforts underway We can't wait to see where this leads for the Minot Area!

HOSTINGO’LEARYVENTURESINCOMMUNITY

Minot Area Chamber EDC hosted the CEO of O’Leary Ventures, Paul Palandjian, and Advisor of O’Leary Ventures, David Haukaas – along with a developer proposing a large-scale project for Ward County – for 1.5 days of meetings and tours in Minot, Velva and Berthold. O’Leary Ventures manages, through the ND Department of Commerce, a $45 million direct investment program aimed at bolstering economic growth throughout the state

A stakeholder roundtable meeting focused on the development of a major natural gas pipeline to carry gas from the state’s western oil patch to serve communities and attract new industry The meeting in Minot included attendance from North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Governor’s Office Chief of Staff Jace Beehler, North Dakota Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, Ron Ness with North Dakota Petroleum Council, Justin Kringstad with North Dakota Pipeline Authority, Mark Anderson with WBI Energy, Rich Garman with North Dakota Dept. of Commerce, Rob Pfennig with BND and staff, Brent Lohnes, North Dakota General Manager for Hess, Minot Mayor Tom Ross and Minot City Manager Harold Stewart, Ward County Commission Chair John Fjeldahl, MACEDC board members and staff, and others.

PARTNERSHIPBUILDINGINSEATTLE

North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring joined Minot Area Chamber EDC Board Vice-chair Ryan Ackerman, MACEDC President | CEO Brekka Kramer and Economic Development Specialist Mark Lyman in visiting with intermodal strategic partners in Seattle, the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) The two-day visit at the end of August to the Pacific Northwest included a tour of the two NWSA Terminals where North Dakota producers/processors containerized shipments travel directly to, from Minot, to the docks of the terminals These direct BNSF Railway shipments add value to the products made in North Dakota and provide a faster route to international markets around the world. Meetings with key stakeholders included a conversation with John Wolfe, the CEO of The Northwest Seaport Alliance on ways both organizations can benefit from increased visibility and awareness, as well as continued support for North Dakota producers and shippers.

Minot Area Chamber EDC has the Logistics Park of North Dakota and North Dakota’s only intermodal site The site is located in the northeast corner of Minot, off Ward County Road 12 The intermodal site is to the south and land is available for development to the north of the county road The Logistics Park of North Dakota’s 386 acres is a BNSF Site Certified location

NORTHDAKOTADEVELOPERDAY

Brekka Kramer and Mark Lyman joined dozens of other developers from across the state in Bismarck on August 23rd to participate in the North Dakota Department of Commerce and Economic Development Association of North Dakota (EDND)/Commerce Developer Day Developer Day is an opportunity for new and existing local Community, Volunteer and Economic Development professionals an opportunity to learn more about the North Dakota Department of Commerce

This day provided an opportunity to learn about the incentives, financial resources and legislative changes from the entire Commerce team Additionally, EDND and the Commerce team discussed attendees’ needs and interests and how various programs and services may help their efforts.

SUPPORTINGAIRMENWITHHARLEYRAFFLE

Many young men and women volunteer to join the military with ambition to serve our country They proudly serve anywhere in the world The distance and cost of travel can make it difficult for young Airmen to visit their families over the holidays Operation Bright Holidays is a program created to help fund travel for first-term Airmen, who are at their first military assignment, to spend time with their families during the holidays

The number of Airmen sent home is based on the amount of money raised in the community. This summer, the MACEDC along with Mayor Tom Ross, teamed up with Magic City Beverage and Budweiser in effort to do just that, send home as many airmen as possible this holiday season. “Minot Air Force Base is home to the highest population of 1st term airmen in all the Air Force. Imagine graduating from High School, leaving home for basic training and then your first stop is Minot during the winter!

Home for the Holidays is a way for the Magic City and this region of the State to step up and help these airmen with their travel costs so they can go back and see their families. We can help them accomplish this through Home for the Holidays”, said Mayor Tom Ross Magic City Beverage, wholesaler of Budweiser products, donated a Harley Davidson motorcycle to raffle off 100% of proceeds from the ticket sales will go back to our airmen

The $50 tickets will be available until September 15th Tickets are available by stopping by Magic City Beverage at 3025 Burdick Expy E or by texting 701-833-9253

AGRIBUSINESSCOMMITTEEGIVESBACK AFTERAGGOLFSCRAMBLE

The Minot Area Chamber EDC Agribusiness Committee presented a check for just over $1,400 to the Surrey FFA. The committee held its annual Brag Up Ag Golf Scramble on July 10 at the Minot Country Club While the 30 teams of four enjoyed a beautiful day of golf, the Agribusiness Committee also wanted to support a local FFA chapter This year, they chose Surrey and had the group sell mulligans to the teams and the committee sold 50/50 raffle tickets

Front Row: Brekkyn Undhjem - Surrey FFA, Morgan Wald - Surrey FFA, Shanley JungSurrey FFA, and Jackie Larson - Western Agency

Back Row: Lynn Frey - Hartland Mutual Insurance, Mat Jensen - First International Bank & Trust, Gary Lucy - Probitas Promotions, Shana Forster - North Central Research Extension Center, and Rob Orts - Verendrye Electric Cooperative

UKRAINIANNEWCOMERSENJOYMSU FOOTBALLHOMEOPENER

School has started and that means it’s time for football season. SandPro and NewKota’s newest employees were treated to their first American football game as the MSU Beavers took on Southwest MN State.

These men came to Minot as part of the Bakken GROW program, a partnership where the MACEDC works as community liaison with the NDPC and local energy companies to bring workers to the Bakken region “It was good to get them out and let them experience some of our hometown fun,” said Keli Rosselli-Sullivan, who has been the liaison working to make sure their transition into our city is as smooth as possible.

A big thank you goes out to Minot State University for inviting them along with our interpreter, a Bakken GROW sponsor, and representatives from SandPro and the North Dakota Petroleum Council.

THREECHAMBEREDCTEAMMEMBERS ATTEND2023NATIONALCONVENTION

The annual Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) national convention took place in Salt Lake City, Utah July 31 – August 3. The event is a chance for Chamber and Economic Development agencies from around the country to get together to exchange ideas, attend educational opportunities and take part in their annual meeting Vice President Carla Dolan, Workforce Development | Military Liaison Keli Rosselli-Sullivan and Finance Director Chanda DeCent attended the four-day event The trio came back with many ideas on how to improve on the great product the Minot Chamber EDC already has and are excited to implement them in the upcoming year

NEWWORKFORCEACADEMYOFFERSNEW COMMUNITYOPPORTUNITIES

On August 11th, the Infrastructure Committee was given an amazing tour of the new Minot Area Workforce academy by Pam Stroklund, the Career and Technical Education Director of Minot Public Schools. This new location will be utilized by both Minot high schools for a wide variety of courses, with space to bring in large equipment, classrooms, an early childhood learning lab, and two CDL (Commercial Drivers License) simulators

This space will also be available for skills training in the community Local organizations and outside students can utilize the space for training during the summer and weekends Following the tour, the committee met to discuss updates in the large space that will be utilized for education, but could also be used for community events

MILITARYAFFAIRSCOMMITTEEGETS FIRSTHANDLOOKATLOCALAGRICULTURE

The Military Affairs Committee’s August 3 meeting took place at North Central Research Extension Center where the group learned more about local crops The committee, made up of military from Minot Air Force Base and the Army & Air National Guard, along with people from the community, took a tour of the crops planted to NCREC. The research there helps to determine the profitability of crop rotation, nitrogen and sulfur fertility needs, timing of fungicide applications and more. A big thank you to NCREC Director Shana Forster for the great tour and information for those of us not in the agriculture industry.

The next Military Affairs Committee meeting will be Thursday, September 7 at noon at The Depot downtown. The group will hear from Amy Allender, Author of “She’s not from around here.” Allender, an Air Force pilot’s wife of 13 years, and new National Guard spouse is a self-proclaimed Minot guru, and the Magic City’s biggest fan

WE’RE PARTNERINGWITH MSUFOOTBALL TOSUPPORT ENERGYDAYAT HERBPARKER STADIUM.

DON’TMISSOUT ONFREEFOOD ANDFAMILY ENTERTAINMENT!

MACEDCCO-HOSTEDMIDWEST CYBERSECURITY&TECHNOLOGYSUMMIT

The cyber threat landscape is rapidly evolving, and now is the time for individuals and businesses to learn about the latest threat intelligence, collaborate and be prepared. The Midwest Cybersecurity & Technology Summit will cover major industries, business attacks, remote workforce, emerging tech, national security, cryptocurrency and much more.

Minot Area Chamber EDC partnered with the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber to bring this summit to our region on August 17, the third event of the four-part Midwest Summit series that convene experts and partners for crucial conversations on four significant regional topics: Economic Forecast, Agriculture, Cybersecurity & Technology, and Energy (November 28)

This event included national and regional experts in cybersecurity and technology. MACEDC is excited to share that Minot State University joined a panel discussion at the event, covering the topic of “Building a Tech Ecosystem.”

Members of the public, Chamber EDC member-investors, business owners and operators, professionals in the aforementioned industries, college students, and members of the media were all invited to attend

LUNCHANDLEARNFEATURESNORTH DAKOTATAXCOMMISSIONER

The Minot Area Chamber EDC will host a Lunch and Learn with the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner September 13 at 11:30 a.m. at Sleep Inn & Suites. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus will be headlining the presentation that is designed to educate businesses on current tax issues, including changes made during the 2023 Legislative Session. Staff will be available after the presentation to answer any questions and help businesses register for online filing through the department’s ND TAP system.

Presentation Highlights

Legislative Recap

Tax Incentives for Businesses

Tips for Preparing for an Audit

Common Audit Findings

E-filing

The Sunrise Room is located on the south end of the building, Door C. The cost is $15 per person for lunch.

Sign up today!

| Minot Area Chamber EDC (chamberdata.net)

SAVETHEDATE-PRAIRIEWARRIORBOWL ATMINOTSTATEUNIVERSITY

On Saturday, October 21st, the Minot State University Beavers face off against the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs in the Prairie Warrior Bowl! Tailgating begins around 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., so be sure to keep an eye out for special ticket and promotional information!

12THANNUALNUCLEARTRIADSYMPOSIUM

Registration is now open for the Friday, Sept 15, 2023 ‘Sustaining Credible Nuclear Deterrence Amidst Growing Challenges’ Triad Symposium, which is hosted by Task Force 21 Minot in Washington, DC

This is the 12th symposium on Triad issues that Task Force 21 Minot has hosted. Each symposium has been focused on building a consensus to devote sufficient resources to sustaining and modernizing all three legs of our nuclear Triad. Task Force 21 is an activity of the Minot Area Chamber EDC that educates the local community, North Dakota officials, members of Congress and the public on national security issues, particularly ones that affect the U.S. Air Force and our nuclear deterrent.

As usual, we plan on a great line up of speakers and panelists featuring key nuclear officers and a wide array of the top professionals in the nuclear business.

For more information on this year’s symposium, please visit www.taskforce21.com

SAVETHEDATE:OCTBUSINESSAFTERHOURS

SAVETHEDATE-FEDERALRESERVEBANK OFMINNEAPOLISPRESIDENTTOWNHALL

Minot Area Chamber EDC to host Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President and CEO Neel Kashkari! Join us on October 10th at 2:00 p.m. for a Townhall Event at Ann Nicole Nelson Hall on Minot State University The Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank serves the six state of the Ninth Federal Reserve District: Minnesota, Montana, North and South Dakota, 26 counties in northwestern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

More information to come!

SUNRISEROTARYCLUBFILLSTHEBUS

The Minot Area Chamber EDC office was a collection site for this year’s Minot Sunrise Rotary Fill the Bus campaign The MACEDC team was happy to support this effort in collecting school supplies for area children This annual event helps students start the school year off feeling prepared and ready to learn!

This year’s event was held on August 9th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with a back to school parted hosted by Town & Country Credit Union from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. that included food, fun, and more! Plus, everyone who brought an item to donate received discounted admission to the Roosevelt Park Zoo!

A LONG-RUNNING BUSINESS’S REBRAND FEATURED AT START UP MINOT

Nearly two dozen people attended the Start Up Minot networking event in August featuring Jarid Lundeen, owner of four Trusted Tire & Auto locations and 7 Valvoline Instant Oil Change locations across two states Jarid spoke about the challenge of rebranding an existing business, as well as the opportunity to be part of the ownership team for the Minot Hot Tots, a brand new Northwoods League affiliate baseball team who played their first season in 2023. To view the presentation by Jarid, click here!

DON'TMISSOURNEXTNETWORKINGEVENT!

TreyWelstad Founderof WatchdogDevices

Trey Welstad, founder of Watchdog Devices, has been coding in his spare time since his teens. When his A/C condensate pump clogged and leaked into the basement; it inspired a new project idea: build a device that can monitor that pump for future water leaks That project eventually became the Watchdog Home Monitor. Now, with a finished product in hand, Watchdog is focused on growing sales and continuously improving the customer experience Trey has lived in Minot since 2001 and currently works at Integrity Viking Funds. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters.

Founder&CEO ILTAcademy

As a catalyst and champion for results driven solutions, Nick has spent the last 12+ years designing and developing embedded omnichannel experiences that connect businesses to their customers leveraging various technology platforms to deliver the maximum value to their customers. Using empathy, creativity and behavior design to craft customer experiences that delight and align to customer needs and drive business results Nick is an Innovator, collaborator, rule-breaker and changemaker He loves his family He loves his kids He is very passionate about helping others become the best version of themselves.

NickTietz

Do you have an idea for a business or maybe want to grow an existing strategy? The Start Up Minot Academy Powered by CO.STARTERS is the course for you!

This awesome opportunity is hands-on – NOT a lecture –where you will join likeminded individuals in a journey to figure out how your business will work. Guest speakers, experts in their field from the community, will be at every class to help bring real-life answers to your real-life questions.

IT’SNOTTOOLATETOREGISTERFOR RECOVERYREINVENTED2023!

Attend in-person at Minot State University in Minot, ND or watch the event LIVE at recoveryreinvented com on Thursday, October 5, 2023!

State and national addiction experts will share their insight into how to turn ‘Advocacy into Action’ at the seventh annual “Recovery Reinvented,” an event dedicated to ending the shame and stigma surrounding the disease of addiction. The experience will be hosted by Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum and will be free for both in-person attendees and online via livestream broadcast on recoveryreinvented.com.

Recovery Reinvented is free and open to the public, but space is limited, and registration is required.

Register today: https://www eventbrite com/e/recovery-reinvented-2023-tickets-680406533257?

aff=MinotChamber

MEETOURNEWMEMBER-INVESTORS!

THANKYOUFORJOININGUSANDSUPPORTINGOURONGOINGMISSION.

THEMEATCOMPANY

23502 HWY 2 & 52 W MINOT, ND 58702

701 852 1426 MEATCOMPANYND COM

The Meat Company offers custom, ready-to-grab meat products, fresh-cut steaks, wild-game processing, do-it-yourself processing supplies, barbecue necessities, many Pride of Dakota products, and more!

BLISSFULBEEJUICERY

3514 NORTH BROADWAY MINOT, ND 58703

701-500-4963 BLISSFULBEEJUICERY.COM

Blissful Bee is a local smoothie shop located on north hill in Minot. They provide fresh ingredients in their smoothies and juices that help increase health and vitality throughout the day

GILBERTSONCPA,LLC.

1821 BURDICK EXPRESSWAY MINOT, ND 58702

701-509-0339

For more than 30 years Gilbertson CPA has been providing accounting and tax expertise along with guidance to help clients grow their business and minimize taxes

COMMUNITYMEDICALSERVICES

300 30TH AVE NW SUITE D MINOT, ND 58703

701-858-1801 WWW COMMUNITYMEDICALSERVICES ORG

Community Medical Services Minot is more than just the leading methadone clinic and drug addiction treatment center. They will meet you where you’re at, using evidence-based practices to treat your substance use disorder with medication assisted treatment (MAT) along with counseling & peer support services. They offer same day treatment, walk-in services and treat patients with confidentiality & dignity.

DAKOTAANGUS,LLC.

3651 10TH AVE NE DRAKE, ND 58736

701-400-1016 DAKOTAANGUSLLC COM

Dakota Angus, LLC provides quality Angus beef products that consumers are looking for, from our farms to your table These Angus beef products have strict grading guidelines and follow the USDA grading specifications, ensuring a quality end product on the dinner plate

THANKYOUTOOURMEMBERINVESTORSWHORENEWEDINAUGUST!

American Truck & Trailer

Clarion Hotel and Convention Center

Coca-Cola Bottling Company High Country

Community Action Partnership - Minot Region

Dakota Square Dental

Easter Seals Goodwill of ND, Inc.

Enerbase Cooperative Resources

Fiberglass Specialties

First Western Insurance

Forever Fitness 24/7

Great River Federal Credit Union

Greater Northwest Publishing, Inc

HighAir Ground

Hight Construction LLC

Hometown Elegance

Hometown Radio Group (WGO/ZOO/SUNNY

Radio)

Huettl Consulting, Ltd

ICON Architectural Group

iHeart Media

Larson Law Firm, P C

Main Electric Construction, Inc

McGee, Hankla, & Backes, P.C.

Minot Area Council of the Arts

Minot Country Club

Minot Multiple Listing Service

Minot Optimist Club

Minot Park District

NEXUS PATH Family Healing

Nodak Insurance Company - Kelsey Holt

North Dakota State Fair

Paradise Spas & Motorsports

REMAX/BAKKEN REALTY

Sierra Inn Minot

Taco John's

Tecta America Dakotas

Thomas Family Funeral Home

Wilbur Ellis Company

Wold Engineering, P C

RIBBONCUTTINGSINAUGUST2023

DINNERONTHEPRAIRIE

Ambassadors helped cut the ribbon at Dinner on the Prairie – an invite only farm-to-table event to connect community leaders with farmers, ranchers and ag industry professionals to foster agricultural awareness. The event, presented by Town & Country Credit Union, provided a meal of North Dakota products to 220 people.

Town & Country Credit Union presented the check that evening as well A big thank you to them for making this event happen!

Ambassadors welcomed a new business and member investor, with a ribbon cutting New Beginnings Imaging offers pregnancy ultrasound in the comfort of your own home. Whether by yourself or surrounded by loved ones, they help create moments that matter.

SOURISHEIGHTSAPARTMENTS

1400 35TH AVE NW, MINOT ND

Ambassadors joined U.S. Senator John Hoeven to cut the ribbon at the new Souris Heights Apartments. The 54-unit complex is affordable housing for those 55 and older. An open house hosted by Beyond shelter and the Minot Housing Authority took place after the ribbon cutting and a short ceremony

RIBBONCUTTINGSINAUGUST2023

DAKOTAFAMILY SERVICES

6301 19TH AVE NW

PHONE: 701-402-6988

DAKOTAFAMILYSERVICES ORG

Ambassadors cut the ribbon at the new office for Dakota Family Services at Dakota Boys & Girls Ranch Dakota Family Services is a team of trus mental health care professionals w provide support coping with men illness, finding the right medication managing medication, their team psychiatrists and nurse practitioner here to support and guide their clien

CITYOFMINOT FIRESTATION5

2611 4TH AVE NW MINOT, ND 58701

Ambassadors cut the ribbon to officially open Minot’s newest fire station during their grand opening Fire Station 5 is located on the northwest side of Minot Tours were provided for the community to see the fresh and modern look of the station

Vinnie Musi Buffalo Wings and Rings

Dr. Robert Thomas Trinity Health - Ear, Nose, Throat

Laurie Elwell Minot Family YMCA

Nina Bachman Cash Wise Foods

Brittany Peery Scheels

Dr. Jill Martinson-Redekopp Trinity Regional Eye Care

Donoven Linner Trinity Homes

THEFOLLOWINGSTORIESCOMEFROMOURMEMBER-INVESTORSANDCOLLABORATIVEPARTNERS. SUBMITYOURBUSINESSNEWSTOCARLA@MINOTCHAMBEREDCCOM

NEWPARTNERSHIPBETWEENTOWN&

COUNTRYCREDITUNION&TRINITYHEALTH

Trinity Health and Town & Country Credit Union today announced a partnership to establish a new Town & Country Credit Union branch within the Healthcare Campus and Medical District. The full-service branch will be located in the atrium of Trinity Health’s main hospital lobby, with a tentative opening date set for late Spring 2024 subject to regulatory approval. Pictured with an artist’s rendition of the new facility are Taylor Wilson, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance for Trinity Health, and Ron Merritt, Vice President of Business Development of Town & Country Credit Union.

ACKERMAN-ESTVOLDWELCOMESPATRICIA CURTISASASENIORCIVILDESIGNER

Patricia Curtis has joined the Ackerman-Estvold Fargo office as a Senior Civil Designer. Curtis earned Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Communication and Multimedia Development from Minnesota State University, Moorehead, Minnesota and an Associates of Science degree in Civil Engineering and Surveying Technology from North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton, North Dakota Patricia has experience in both civil drafting and design and architecture and has held roles as an engineer technician, engineering specialist, and an instructor of Civil Engineering Technology and Revit classes for Architectural drafting at Minnesota State Community College, Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Ackerman-Estvold is a professional engineering and architectural firm headquartered in Minot, ND, with an additional office location in Fargo and Williston, ND and Boise, ID. The firm provides planning, design, and construction services for public and private clients throughout North Dakota and surrounding states. For more information about Ackerman-Estvold, visit www ackerman-estvold com

COMMUNITYROCKSCELEBRATES6THEVENT WITHRECORDSETTINGCROWD!

The Community Rocks orchestra put on its 6th event at the MSU Summer Theater to a sellout crowd, Saturday night, August 26th. Local talent sang songs to the music of the orchestra including old hits like The Piano Man, Dancing Queen, and Bohemian Rh d MSU’ D S Shi l a special guest adding his vocals to Metallica’s Enter Sandman. This concert was a thank you to the Minot Community and the support our city has provided over the years. The proceeds of the evening directly benefited Community Rocks’ past beneficiaries by receiving $25 for each ticket sale

The next concert will take place in February 2024 with partner beneficiary, Minot Symphony Orchestra with a goal of $40,000 to be raised toward bringing a fulllength blockbuster film to the screen in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall, accompanied live by the Minot Symphony Orchestra

SEVERSONENTREPRENEURSHIPACADEMY PRESENTSPANELDISCUSSIONINCLUDING MACEDCPRESIDENTKEVINBLACK

The Minot State Severson Entrepreneurship Academy is sponsoring a panel discussion titled The Entrepreneurial Perspective: Stories from the Bakken on Sept 18 at the MSU Student Center Conference Center The panel discussion will focus on the entrepreneurial spirit of energy industry leaders in the Bakken Oil Formation in western North Dakota

“We are excited to host an exceptional group of entrepreneurs for our students and others in the community,” said Randy Conway, director of the Severson Entrepreneurship Academy “All of our guests have taken unique paths and overcome extreme challenges to become leaders in their industry "

The event is set to begin at 11 a.m. and is free and open to the public.

The event features Bruce Larsen, president and CEO of Kraken Resources, LLC; Preston Page, founder and president of Dakota Energy, LLC; and Jason Baker, owner and CEO of Baker Energy Services, along with moderators Kevin Black, CEO of Creedence Energy Services and member of the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education, and Conway.

"Being an entrepreneur isn’t for everyone, but it’s definitely for me,” Larsen said. “The success that an entrepreneur strives to achieve is most often paved with a trail of failures I look forward to discussing what I’ve learned, both successes and failures, with the next generation of aspiring entrepreneurs "

Larsen has 25 years of oil and gas exploration and production experience specializing in leadership, business development, resource identification, geologic modeling, reservoir characterization, and operational geology

Kraken Resources is a top 10 producer of oil and gas in the Williston Basin and one of the more active operators over the last six years, having drilled nearly 350 new wells and more three-mile horizontals than most other operators

Before forming Kraken in 2012, he was the executive vice president of Ursa Resources Group LLC, where he led the company’s Williston Basin entry, developed the company’s Bakken Shale geologic model, and oversaw leasing of 120,000 net acres prior to selling the company. Larsen was born and raised in Sidney, Montana. He is a member of the AAPG, earned a bachelor’s degree in geological engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and a Master of Business Administration from Tulane University.

Page’s Dakota Energy, LLC is an oil and gas company with royalty or non-operated working interest in over a thousand oil and gas wells throughout the Rocky Mountain Region He is also involved in his family's company which has developed a mobile vehicle security barrier designed to stop a vehicle as a weapon

Page serves on the board of directors of the North Dakota Petroleum Council and North Dakota Oil and Gas Research Council He is a North Dakota State College of Science graduate with an associate's degree in electrical technology and holds a bachelor's and master's degree in business from the University of North Dakota

CONTINUEDFROMPAGE36

Baker has over 13 years of experience in the oil and gas industry After growing up in western North Dakota, he moved to Fargo and attended North Dakota State University where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering and obtained his professional engineering registration In 2010, he moved back home to Mandaree where he started Baker Consulting with his father, Paige Baker, who has since retired He has overseen the growth of the company to multiple divisions including roustabout, crane, trucking, hydrovac, environmental, pipeline, workover, and completions services, and its expansion to three locations across the Bakken.

In addition to his leadership of Baker Energy Services, Baker is also a pilot, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt, volunteer firefighter, and owner and CEO of Ahwah Energy, which is a newly formed frac sand processing and supply company.

Black will serve as a co-moderator with Conway and is no stranger to the Bakken or higher education. He was appointed to the ND State Board of Higher Education in 2022 and currently serves on Academic & Student Affairs, Budget & Finance, and the Higher Education Grant Review committees.

He is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Creedence Energy Services, a leading specialty chemical provider in the oil and gas industry with operations in North Dakota, Montana, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.

Black has previously served higher education as a trustee of the North Dakota State Development Foundation, Minot State Board of Regents, and past chair of the University of North Dakota Petroleum Engineering Advisory Board He also serves on the board of the Minot Chamber EDC, Minot Sunrise Rotary Club, and the North Dakota Petroleum Council, and he was appointed by Gov Doug Burgum to serve on the North Dakota Economic Development Foundation in 2019.

He earned a degree in industrial engineering and management from NDSU in 2010 and currently resides in Minot

CARTERKITSHELPFIRSTRESPONDERS CONNECTWITHYOUTH

Trinity Health’s emergency medical teams are highly proficient when it comes to connecting with children But in cases where a reassuring manner or a stuffed animal won’t do the trick, Trinity Health First Response Ground now has a new set of tools to make pediatric calls go more smoothly

Carter Kits are special duffle bags that contain a range of items designed to bring calm and comfort to young patients with sensory issues such as Autism or Asperger’s. The kits were named after Carter Severs of Saginaw, Michigan, whose dad, a police detective, saw a need to help first responders relate more effectively with special needs children like his own.

“The arrival of an ambulance can be a scary thing for kiddos, especially one with autism,” said Stephanie Beauchamp, EMT, office manager for Trinity’s First Response Ground. “Our paramedics are always looking for ways to build rapport and gain trust, so they’ll open up to us. But interacting with EMS can cause a bit of an overload for someone with sensory issues Anything we can do to calm the situation to better take care of our patient is a win for everybody ”

Carter Kits are equipped with an assortment of carefully selected and replaceable items such as noise-canceling headphones, fidget spinners, a weighted blanket and sunglasses – all designed to help children feel calm and at ease during a potentially chaotic situation The Kits work in concert with other strategies like dimming lights, muting siren noise and moving kids into a quieter setting

“iPads work in some situations,” Beauchamp said “They can watch a movie or listen to a favorite song, but the Carter Kits will open up a whole new set of options ”

Sharla Ramirez, NRP, chief paramedic, says while some children with sensory issues are quick to give first responders a hug, others don’t respond well to touching or squeezing – actions that are necessary when trying to collect information on blood pressure, pulse and other vitals “One of the ways the Kits will come in handy is by giving us additional tools to distract patients and keep them calm so they’re not feeling so overwhelmed Then we can go about our assessment ”

The Pediatric Emergency Care Committee of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services has made the Carter Kits available free of charge to EMS providers simply by viewing an online training session. Each person to complete the training is eligible to receive three Kits. Sharla and Stephanie both decided to sit through the training in order to acquire six Kits, one for each of First Response’s ground ambulance vehicles.

The two have already shared training with their colleagues and are reaching out to rural partners and smaller ambulance services with information about the training and how to acquire the Kits.

“What this adds to our service and others is the capability of delivering even better patient care than we’re already providing,” Beauchamp said “Our number one goal is to provide the best care we can; and we want that experience to be as easy and stress free as possible for our patients ”

PHOTO: First Response’s Stephanie Beauchamp, EMT, and Sharla Ramirez, NRP, display sensory bags and some of their contents Paramedics hope the kits will have a calming effect on youthful patients with sensory issues

SRTDONATESTRUCKTOSURREYFIRE PROTECTIONDISTRICT

SRT donated a 2015 Chevrolet 2500 crew cab pickup truck with a utility body, valued at roughly $20,000, to Surrey Fire Protection District SRT recently visited the district to celebrate the finished truck

Surrey Fire Protection District’s first rescue truck, the donated vehicle is fully equipped and can haul trailers on rescue calls instead of relying on fire trucks The new rescue truck can also be used for manpower calls

“This truck allows us to respond year-round to any medical call,” said Seth Bartholomay, Assistant Chief of Surrey Fire Protection District “We’ve had some winters with deep snow in recent years With all the lights, people will see us coming from a long way away.”

Surrey Fire Protection District provides fire and rescue services to Surrey Township and offers mutual aid to surrounding townships and departments. The district has prioritized upgrading equipment and vehicles to enhance their fire and rescue efforts.

“We are always striving to increase our capabilities to better serve our community,” said Bartholomay. “By donating the entire truck, SRT is helping us put resources toward other replacements and upgrades we need. It’s a blessing that the donation happened this way ”

Kristi Miller, SRT Board President, said about the donation, “SRT is grateful to our first responders for the vital role they play in our communities We are committed to public safety and are humbled to support the life-saving work of Surrey Fire Protection District ”

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state's largest telecommunications

SRT Board members stand with members of the Surrey Fire Protection District in front of the newly completed rescue truck donated by SRT. Pictured from left to right: Kevin Hochhalter, SRT Director Benjamin Robertson, Corey Berger, SRT Director Deanna Klein, Matthew Knapp, Assistant Chief Seth Bartholomay, and Carrie Mauro.

6THANNUALFUELTHEFIGHT

Trinity Health Foundation will host its sixth annual Fuel the Fight fundraiser on Saturday, September 9th from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Dakota Square ARCO, located at 1520 24th Ave SW in Minot.

Activities throughout the day include specials on Coca-Cola products, a dunk tank sponsored by Heritage Insurance Services, food trucks, bounce houses, hourly door prizes, and raffle prize drawings

To be eligible for the Grand Prize drawing, purchase eight or more gallons of fuel at Dakota Square ARCO on Saturday, September 9th, and receive an entry for the prize drawing of Free Gas for a Year donated by First International Bank & Trust (a $75 gas certificate per week for 52 weeks) 6 a m - 11 p m

A percentage of sales on fuel and in-store purchases on the day of the event will be donated to Fuel the Fight Fuel the Fight raises funds to provide gas vouchers for Trinity Health CancerCare Center patients traveling for treatments

Fuel the Fight raffle tickets are available at Dakota Square Arco, Homesteaders Restaurant, Trinity Health Foundation, Trinity Health CancerCare Center, online at www.trinityhealth.org/foundation/fuel-the-fightraffle-tickets/ or by calling 701-857-2430. Twenty prizes are included in the raffle and have been donated by various local businesses. Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $20.

Schedule of events:

Bounce Houses: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Hourly Prize Drawings: 10 a m - 4 p m

Food Trucks: 11 a m - 2 p m

Dunk Tank sponsored by Heritage Insurance Services; 1 - 5 p m

Trinity Health Foundation was established in 1922 to assist in the establishment of Trinity Hospital Over the last 100 years, the foundation has been supported through the financial stewardship of individuals, families, foundations, corporations, civic clubs, and other organizations, with the purpose of significantly impacting healthcare and the quality of life in the region Through generous donations, we are able to fulfill our mission of creating a system of care that provides the most significant impact on health and wellness throughout northwest North Dakota.

BRADYMARTZ&ASSOCIATESNAMEDAMONG INSIDEPUBLICACCOUNTING’S2023 “TOP100FIRMS”

Brady Martz & Associates is excited to share that the firm was recently named as one of the “Top 100 Firms” of 2023 by INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA).

Each year, IPA releases a ranking of the 500 largest public accounting firms in the U S based on each participating firm’s net revenues The rankings are then broken down even further by 100

“Being ranked among the top 100 accounting firms in the country by IPA is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of each member of our team,” said Todd Van Dusen, President of Brady Martz “Our team of skilled professionals strives to anticipate our clients' needs and provide proactive guidance enabling them to make informed decisions with confidence The accounting industry is constantly evolving, and we remain committed to staying ahead of the curve.”

In addition to the criteria of U.S. net revenue, rankings are compiled by analyzing responses to IPA’s annual practice management survey. This is IPA’s 33rd annual ranking of the largest accounting firms in the nation. To learn more and to view the 2023 list of “Top 100 Firms,” visit insidepublicaccounting.com/top-firms/ipa500/.

Founded in 1927, Brady Martz has been providing exceptional client service for nearly a century. Headquartered in Grand Forks, the firm has seven offices throughout North Dakota and Minnesota, and will expand into South Dakota with the acquisition of Woltman Group on October 1 Brady Martz is proud to offer advisory, audit & assurance, and tax services to clients in a wide variety of industries For more information, visit bradymartz com

MINOTSTATE’SCERBONEBELIEVESIN HELPINGPEOPLE

Originally from New Jersey, Paul Cerbone moved to North Dakota in 2016 in search of something more. In July 2022, he became the human resource (HR) coordinator at Minot State University and has enjoyed the experience ever since.

After obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography from The Art Institutes of Dallas, Atlanta Georgia, he craved to do something that would require more from him and give him an opportunity to work with people. “I always enjoyed working with people and trying to help with any problems or situations they may be going through,” he said. “I was working as a HR generalist over at Burdick Job Corps before coming to MSU. I currently live in Stanley, and there weren’t any HR positions available in town. So, I looked to Minot State.”

Prior to these roles, Cerbone had worked as an HR assistant for an insurance company and decided to gain professional knowledge in this field. “I always enjoyed the role that I had so I decided to go back to school for it. I went to Concordia University, St. Paul for my master’s in human resource management and my career in the HR world began,” said Cerbone.

Some of the duties for Cerbone’s current role include recruiting solutions, hiring new employees, benefits overviews with new employees, background checks, conducting exit interviews, and assisting with policies and procedures. “I have worked in many different states with different people from across the United States. With working with such a vast variety of diversity, it helped shape me for the HR role that I am currently in,” he said.

Since undergrad through today, Cerbone has not abandoned his artistic side and has also found a way to preserve and develop that aspect of his life professionally. Cerbone’s passion for photography began at an early age and was fueled by his father’s SLR 35mm film camera which eventually led him to buy his own.

“I began falling in love with the art form as I used to walk around with a camera while listening to music and it was therapeutic and relaxing,” he said. “After learning and gaining experience in a multitude of different aspects within the art form — portraiture, product, studio — I took what I learned and worked as an assistant wedding photographer in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.”

With the help of his wife, Jennifer Tronset, he was able to begin a professional photography business in North Dakota — Paul Cerbone Photography — where he gets to work with different clients for different projects such as weddings, senior portraits, and family portraits, and so on.

With the years to come, Cerbone sees himself living close to his family on the east coast and improving his skills and knowledge in human resources and photography. “I’d like to think that the older I become, the more wisdom I will obtain and also become a better human being both mentally and spiritually,” he said.

Cerbone’s experience is definitely a unique one; with his experience and dedication to both sides of the coin, he has learned loads of life lessons, both personally and professionally. “Stay true to yourself and never sell yourself short, your time is money, and that is valuable,” he said. “Being employed as an artist is quite difficult. There will always be someone out there who will claim to do the same work as you at a fraction of what you charge. Know your worth and never settle.”

His advice for current MSU students would be to never stop learning and pursuing one’s dream.

“I graduated with my undergraduate degree when I was 35 and obtained my master’s degree when I was 43,” he said. “Anything is possible and don’t let anyone tell you differently.”

MINOTPRESIDENTBROCKDESLAURIERS RECOGNIZEDBYINDEPENDENTCOMMUNITY BANKERSOFAMERICA

First International Bank and Trust (FIBT) Minot President, Brock DesLauriers is named among the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) annual 40 Under 40: Emerging Community Bank Leaders list.

The award recognizes the nation’s up-and-coming community bank innovators and influencers representing the future of the industry.

Brock was selected from hundreds of candidates at community banks across the country The nominees were judged on the following criteria: character, leadership, community involvement, and innovation ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said “They all share a deep belief in the community bank business model and a passion for supporting their customers and communities ”

The feature story, which is included in the newly released June issue of Independent Banker Magazine, highlights how the 40 Under 40 honorees have overcome challenges and answered calls for innovation The leaders also share their philosophies on leadership and where they see big opportunities for lending.

EMILYSCHROEDERNAMEDCOMMUNITY LENDINGDIRECTORATDAKOTABUSINESS LENDING

Dakota Business Lending (DBL) is proud to announce Emily Schroeder as their Community Lending Director In this position, Schroeder will work to further DBL's mission by providing innovative financing solutions and business advisory services to underserved small businesses across Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota.

As Community Lending Director, Schroeder will work directly with small business clients, primarily in underserved markets, to develop tailored loan packages, deliver strategic consulting, address business challenges, and ensure their readiness to access capital Her role will continue to cultivate local partnerships with community organizations and financial institutions, strengthening DBL's support network for small businesses.

The addition of the Community Lending Director position exemplifies DBL's commitment to providing a diverse range of financing solutions.

To learn more DBL’s special loan programs or for business advisory assistance, contact Schroeder at eschroeder@dakotabusinesslending.com or 701-364-1912.

HABITATFORHUMANITYNORTHERNLIGHTS RECEIVES$15,000GRANTFROMWELLS FARGOTOREPAIR,RENOVATEHOME

The Wells Fargo Foundation has awarded a $15,000 grant to Habitat for Humanity Northern Lights to repair and renovate a home in Minot Northern Lights is one of more than 230 Habitat for Humanity affiliates awarded grant funding nationwide through the 2023 Wells Fargo Builds program to help make homes more affordable and accessible for everyone nationwide

At least one in nine North Dakota households spend more than half of their income on housing, and the number of Minot families who are struggling to afford rent is on the rise The funding to Habitat for Humanity Northern Lights along with the support of Wells Fargo volunteers will help repair and renovate a Habitat home in Minot.

“This home in the Souris River Valley neighborhood is handicap accessible and would be perfect for someone with mobility challenges,” said Roxy Volk, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Northern Lights. “We’re currently searching for a family to purchase the home, which we expect to be complete by the end of the year.” For criteria information, please email minot.habitat@hotmail.com.

On August 10, Wells Fargo volunteers will join the Northern Lights team to prepare the home for interior paint and flooring They also will provide lawn care and tree maintenance

This funding is part of a $7 5 million donation to Habitat for Humanity International through the 2023 Wells Fargo Builds program to build and repair more than 350 affordable homes nationwide For three decades, Habitat for Humanity and Wells Fargo have worked together to increase access to affordable homes and homeownership

About Habitat for Humanity Northern Lights

Minot Area Habitat for Humanity is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need by building simple, decent and affordable housing as well as help with exterior home repairs. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged.

MINOTSTATEOFFERSMUSEUM STUDIESDEGREE

Minot State University has announced a degree in museum studies, an interdisciplinary major where art meets business, communication, history, storytelling, and science. The Bachelor of Science in Museum Studies is a professionally oriented program designed to offer the tools to pursue a variety of careers in museums and art galleries from management roles to exhibition design and curator.

“The museum studies degree at Minot State is designed for students to be career ready from graduation day to enter the field and is also competitive for world-class graduate programs,” said Amanda Watts, Minot State assistant professor and museum objects conservator

Earning the museum studies major will open a variety of career paths for graduates, including museum or gallery executive director, curator and interpreter, collections manager, exhibition designer, education coordinator, object conservator, art registrar, events coordinator, and visitor services and liaison.

“Cultural heritage careers continue to thrive with projected growth into the future,” said Watts “As a North Dakotan who has worked for heritage institutions all over the world, a museum professional has choices to build a career anywhere on the globe or right at home in their local community ”

Minot State is the only University in the North Dakota and the surrounding states to offer a degree in museum studies and by utilizing faculty from various disciplines, the program is built to address the many unique aspects of the industry. Dedicated faculty from the art department are engaged in the degree with expertise as professional artists, teacher education specialists, art historians, and museum professionals. Additional University faculty have joined the interdisciplinary program, offering opportunities to work with the departments of history, business, chemistry, language arts, and more, creating the best education to math the interests of museum studies majors.

“Museum professions require a variety of skillsets This program has seen departments across campus come together to offer the tools of diverse specialisms to our students,” said Watts “It’s incredible to see our campus community in action to create a program from expertise of our faculty ”

According to the U S Bureau of Labor Statistics, professions related to museum studies are experiencing job growth Overall employment of archivists, curators, and museum workers is projected to grow 12% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations About 47,000 openings for those positions are projected each year, on average, over the decade

To learn more about museum studies, visit the program website or email Watts at amanda.watts@MinotStateU.edu.

Rendering of Station 5

ANNECARLSENNEWSTAFFANNOUNCEMENT

Anne Carlsen is pleased to announce the newest addition to the organization’s Foundation team. Christopher Kalash has recently been selected as the Director of Corporate and Business Development, located in the Bismarck, ND office. With a wealth of experience in corporate and business development, Mr. Kalash is set to lead our efforts towards fostering growth and continued business and corporate partnerships across North Dakota.

Chris brings a strong educational background to his new role. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a Psychology Minor from the University of North Dakota, along with a Master of Business Administration from the University of Mary

Most recently, Chris served as the Director of Membership Services at the Greater North Dakota Chamber (GNDC) for five years Prior to his

time at the GNDC, Mr. Kalash made significant contributions in various capacities. He administered the Research North Dakota grant program at the North Dakota Department of Commerce and held the role of a Business Services Consultant with Job Service North Dakota. Moreover, his expertise extended to administering educational technology grant programs for the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction.

We extend a warm welcome to Christopher Kalash as he embarks on this new journey with us About Anne Carlsen Center: Anne Carlsen is a non-profit organization providing individuals with development disabilities or delays with services and supports for over 80 years Anne Carlsen has positioned itself on the cutting edge of innovation with unique programs, creative therapies and advanced assistive technologies that provide life-changing programming to those served While rooted in Jamestown, our services have grown to have statewide impact with additional service locations in Fargo/Moorhead, Valley City, Bismarck, Minot, Devils Lake, and Grand Forks Learn more at annecarlsen org

MINOTJUNIORGOLFASSOCIATIONAWARDS TRINITYHEALTHFOUNDATION$75,000

Representatives from Minot Junior Golf Association recently presented a check to Trinity Health Foundation for $75,000 for the development of a playground on the north end of the new Health Care Campus and Medical District

The area will include a park, playground, a walking path, several seating areas throughout the path, trees, landscaping, and lighting The vision is that this area will be utilized by patients, family members, and staff, in order to provide a natural respite from the rigors of healthcare, as well as neighborhood residents

“Part of the mission of the Minot Junior Golf Association includes supporting all children in the region and the community. We are proud to collaborate on a project that promotes physical activity for children and adults alike, while also providing a place for healthcare workers to rest and reset,” says Reed Argent, Minot Junior Golf Association president.

Minot Junior Golf Association was established in 1989 as a non-profit organization designed to foster golf and life skills among the youth in the Minot area

Since the inception of the organization, programming, and activities have expanded to include lessons, tournaments, events, and a plethora of community-based activities Their mission is to expand these efforts by attempting to meet the needs of the kids in our region.

Trinity Health Foundation was established in 1922 to assist in the establishment of Trinity Hospital. Over the last 100 years, the foundation has been supported through the financial stewardship of individuals, families, foundations, corporations, civic clubs, and other organizations, with the purpose of significantly impacting healthcare and the quality of life in the region. Through generous donations, we are able to fulfill our mission of creating a system of care that provides the most significant impact on health and wellness throughout northwest North Dakota.

TRINITYHEALTHFOUNDATIONANNOUNCES 2023NURSINGSCHOLARSHIPPROGRAM

Trinity Health Foundation recently launched the 2023 Nursing Scholarship Program

The annual nursing scholarship application period is open from August to November and is supported through the nursing scholarship fund that has been generously supported since its inception in 1995 As the country continues to experience a shortage of nurses, the scholarship has served as an excellent recruiting tool for potential students in the field

A record number of applicants applied for the 2022 Trinity Health Foundation Nursing Scholarship. Of the 68 applicants, 17 scholarships were awarded to nursing students throughout the region. Recipients each received $3,000 in scholarships totaling $51,000 in awards.

This year’s Scholarship application can be found at www.trinityhealth.org/foundation/programsinitiatives/investment-in-the-future/. Contact Cody McManigal at 701.857.2430 or cody.mcmanigal@trinityhealth.org with any questions.

CHAMBERUNIVERSITY:THEDALE CARNEGIECOURSE

When you look at the successful people, what do you see? Confidence. Competence. Enthusiasm. They’re engaged in all aspects of their work and life, inspiring others as they lead by example. The Dale Carnegie Course will help you master the communication skills necessary in today’s demanding business environment. You’ll learn to strengthen interpersonal relationships and develop a commanding attitude, instilling confidence, and enthusiasm in your workplace

Does the experience make a difference? Clients say yes You’ll see the results as you stretch your abilities, tackle complex challenges, expand your ingenuity, and excel in building team harmony A recent Minot graduate noted “This class was amazing! We built lifetime skills and friendships as the weeks went by This was a successful experience for me I will benefit (beyond graduation) as well as help my company grow ”

The Minot Area Chamber EDC and Dale Carnegie ND are sponsoring The Dale Carnegie Course starting September 21, 2023, Thursday afternoons, live online kickoff + 8 in person sessions. Register at www.northdakota.dalecarnegie. com. For customized solutions and live online programs, contact michelle.wall@dalecarnegie.com or 701.540.4278.

WESTERNPLAINSOPERAPRESENTS‘CARMEN’

Western Plains Opera will return to Ann Nicole Nelson Hall in Minot State University’s Old Main on Friday, Sept 8 and Saturday, Sept 9 at 7 p m

One of the most popular operas ever written, “Carmen” is set in 19th century Seville, Spain, where soldiers spend their time drinking at a tavern obsessing over the girls who work in the cigarette factory, and over Carmen, whose captivating intensity allows her to manipulate everyone to suit her whims.

“This is a toxic love story with shocking, electric energy interspersed with the sweetness of daily life; an innocent Micaëla delivers a mother’s letter to a soldier and children eagerly await the changing of the guard,” said DeVera Bowles, recently retired Minot State voice professor and Western Plains Opera costumer designer “The music grabs you from the first note and doesn’t let you go until the last note

“It’s all there: Carmen’s seduction of soldier Don José, Carmen’s lust for freedom, and José’s obsessive love, jealousy, and desperation hurtling toward her violent end The story gains dimension through scenes with Carmen’s smuggler friends and handsome bullfighter Escamillo, whose swaggering tavern entrance marks the beginning of the end ”

The stage will be filled with a multi-generational adult and children’s chorus, along with dancers from the Rinat Mouzafarov Institute of Ballet.

“People will be surprised at how many melodies they will recognize,” said Bowles. “This production will be a bit like musical theater in that there is some spoken dialogue, and it will be performed in English with supertitles to guarantee no one misses anything.”

New York based mezzo soprano Sarah Heltzel brings her own castanets as Carmen, a role that has become a signature role. Minot native and Minot State alumnus Nathan Bowles, currently based in Dallas, Texas, is tenor Don José Other cast members include Dallas soprano Bethany Jelinek as Micaëla and returning artists Christopher Holmes of Utah as Escamillo and Minnesotan Elias Mokole as Zuniga

Minot State singers with named roles are Evan Putt as Morales, Erik M Anderson as Dancairo, Royce Brown as Remendado, Megan Klebe as Frasquita, and Megan Kramer as Mercedes

Western Plains Opera and Minot State are delighted to welcome Ted Christopher, Penn State Opera Theatre Artistic Director as “Carmen’s” stage director MSU associate professor and Minot Symphony Orchestra Music Director Efraín Amaya will lead the orchestra

Past Western Plains Opera “Carmen” productions were in 1987, 1997, and 2014.

Tickets for “Carmen” are available HERE or by visiting wpopera.org. Ticket prices for adults are $25, $30, or $35, depending on seat location, with children aged 17 and under only $10. Minot State students can attend for free with their student ID.

TRINITYHEALTHFOUNDATIONHOLDSANNUAL GOLFFORLIFEMEN’SGOLFTOURNAMENT

Trinity Health Foundation held its annual Golf for Life Men’s Golf Tournament on Monday, August 14, 2023, at Souris Valley Golf Course. A shotgun start kicked off the tournament which featured 33 teams. Golfers also participated in a contest for longest putt, drive, and hole-in-one.

This year a new element was introduced to the tournament called the Chopper Drop a 50-50 raffle where golf balls were purchased for a chance to win up to $5,000 During the awards ceremony, a helicopter flew over the golf course and poured the bucket of numbered balls out the window The ball closest to the target won the cash prize totaling $1,960

Proceeds from the event totaled $33,623, benefiting the Trinity Health Cancer Exercise Rehab program, which provides clinical exercise and conditioning for cancer patients and survivors to help them gain strength and resilience. “The primary goals consist of helping individuals build muscle mass, muscle strength and endurance, cardio-respiratory capacity, flexibility, and improve functional ability,” said Wade McDowell, Director of Trinity Health’s Exercise Physiology Department.

Trinity Health Foundation was established in 1922 to assist in the establishment of Trinity Hospital. Over the last 100 years, the foundation has been supported through the financial stewardship of individuals, families, foundations, corporations, civic clubs, and other organizations, with the purpose of significantly impacting healthcare and the quality of life in the region. Through generous donations, we are able to fulfill our mission of creating a system of care that provides the most significant impact on health and wellness throughout northwest North Dakota

WOODBECKRECEIVESMINOTEDUCATION ASSOCIATIONFRIENDOFEDUCATIONAWARD

Amy Woodbeck, Minot State professional and community education coordinator, was awarded the Minot Education Association (MEA) Friend of Education Award on Monday

The award is given to an individual or institution who works diligently to improve education in Minot Public Schools, and the MEA cited Woodbeck’s work with professional learning, which helps teachers and administrators continue their education advancement

Woodbeck was nominated by Melissa Stanley, previous Minot Public Schools professional learning coordinator.“Melissa nominated me for the work we did together to build the Professional Development Learning Menu that allows educators to earn credits during the year,” said Woodbeck. “In the last six years, educators have been able to earn over 1,000 credits due to the work we have done.”

Woodbeck graduated from Minot State in 2006 with her Bachelor of Applied Studies with a major in applied business information technology. She has been employed at the University since 2003, and with professional and community education since 2006

The MEA represents teachers and education support professionals employed by Minot Public Schools The Friend of Education Award was presented by MEA representative Stacy Coon at the Minot Public Schools Welcome Back Assembly

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JOBSERVICENDLOOKINGFORYOURINPUT

Labor Market Information (LMI) products - do you use them? If not, you are missing out on a powerful tool! Whether you are an employer, employee, job seeker, parent, student, educator, economic development, or workforce professional LMI products provide you with valuable information! Not sure what LMI is? It is data, statistics, and analysis related to employment and our workforce And our North Dakota LMI Division has been recognized nationally for their products! One product you have probably heard of is the monthly Labor Force and Unemployment Statistics One product among so many which are useful for answering questions such as:

What is our state or county unemployment rate?

Is the wage I’m offering competitive?

What benefits are other employers offering?

What is my county’s population?

What is the latest job opening number for the state or my region?

Who are the largest employers in North Dakota or Ward County?

What does it cost for a family of three to live in Ward County?

All great questions and you can get those answers (and more) by going to www.jobsnd.com, clicking on the Labor Market Information tile then clicking one of the many products available.

Ther Labor Market Information Division needs your feedback. They want to ensure they are producing the products you need Take the Products Survey by September 29 to give an assessment of the LMI, current data and product offerings and any data or product gaps The results will help guide them in focusing future resources on improving or expanding data or product offerings Please visit www ndlmi com to complete the survey Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with them! While there sign up for the News Alerts! Then you will be in the know of the latest product offerings and release of information!

If you have any questions about our LMI products call the Minot Workforce Center 857-7500 and ask for Susan or Cindy. If we do not know the answer to an LMI question, we have a hotline to the great LMI analysts!

SLOTSVEJOINSMINOTSTATEDEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

The Minot State University Development Foundation announced 1991 graduate Pat Slotsve has joined the Foundation as a development officer.

Slotsve, originally from Velva, has been a life-long educator working for the past 32 years in public education, including the past 23 years in the Minot Public School system He spent 28 years as an elementary principal, retiring as principal of Lewis and Clark Elementary in 2023

“We are excited to have Pat joining our Minot State Advancement and MSU Development Foundation team,” said MSU Development Foundation Executive Director Rick Hedberg “He’s been involved with campus and various activities and fundraisers at MSU for many years He also has a great connection with the Minot community and many of our alumni and friends having served as an administrator in Minot and the region for the past two plus decades He’s well respected and has been able to hit the ground running in this new role ”

His ties to Minot State and the education system extend throughout his family as his wife, Elizabeth, is a 1996 MSU grad and special education teacher at Minot Public Schools Middle son Charlie is a junior at Minot State and daughter Ellie is a freshman at MSU Slotsve’s oldest son, Max, works at Central Trenching

“I am excited to join Minot State University as a development officer,” Slotsve said. “This University provided me with life skills that have helped me achieve my life goals, and I am hoping to be able to contribute back to our current and future students.”

Along with his undergraduate degree in elementary education at MSU, Slotsve earned a master’s degree in education leadership from the University of North Dakota.

FUTUREPALOOZARETURNSTOMINOTSTATE

Minot State University’s Futurepalooza, an annual event for area high school students, returns to the MSU Dome Wednesday, Sept 13 from 9:30-11:30 a m

“There are many different career paths available to students when entering today’s workforce,” said Liz Krebsbach, MSU Enrollment Services visit and events coordinator. “Futurepalooza is designed for each student to explore those paths through conversations with college admissions representatives and professionals from multiple industries.”

The University is seeking table hosts from a range of businesses and organizations to present their expertise to students over the two-hour long event. To learn more or reserve a table, visit AskMSU.com/fp or call Enrollment Services at 701-858-3350.In 2022, over 750 juniors and seniors from the area attended the event to explore a wide variety of professions at the University.

“Futurepalooza is important for juniors and seniors as they begin to decide what their next steps will be after high school,” said Krebsbach “This event is a chance for these students to learn more about different professions they may be interested in so that they can discover which career path is the best fit for them ”

Rendering of Station 5

MINOTSTATEIMPLEMENTSNEWSTUDENT MENTALHEALTHMODEL

Minot State University is implementing a new system of delivering and monitoring mental health and mental health treatment for students, named Stepped Care.The model is a multi-tier system of programs that seeks to meet students where they are in their mental health process while promoting autonomy and empowerment.

“The Stepped Care Model is important for Minot State University because it will help counseling services and, ultimately, the University as a whole, in responding to and streamlining student needs and requests regarding their mental health,” said Troy Roness, Minot State clinical mental health counselor. “Our plan is to provide students with opportunities for connections with other on- and off-campus resources and support, as well as an integration of services across all of campus — this is crucial for a healthy campus climate.”

The most effective, yet least resource intensive, intervention is offered first based off an individual’s needs. Services will then “step up” as required depending on the level of student desire or need.

Less intensive treatments may include campus referrals, brief consultations, and self-help approaches like selfhelp practices and mental health apps, while more intensive treatments encompass options such as longer-term therapy, group therapy, or an off-campus or community referral. With Stepped Care, a variety of resources for individuals and an intervention structure that promotes resilience encourages a growth mindset.

“I realize I am biased, but with this model and our incorporations of a new mental health app for students, we will have the opportunity to provide mental health resources using new technology in effective, flexible, and expedient ways,” said Roness. “We want to provide mental health services to accommodate student comfort levels and preferences.”

Implementation of the Stepped Care Model has exhibited notable effectiveness at universities across the country. A first-year review at Calvin University, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, showed a 56% decrease in wait time for new students from their initial request to first appointment, and a 61% decrease in crisis appointments overall.

“The mental health services environment is rapidly changing, and we have a duty to keep pace with those changes — and even step ahead,” said Roness. “By taking a personalized, stepped care approach, our counselors and clinic staff hope to provide flexible access to wellness and mental health resources.

“By providing the additional options for one-time visits, consultations, education, campus support, and the fluidity of services based upon students’ needs, this model will empower our staff to help students maximize and manage their mental health without limiting services solely to long-term psychotherapy. Frankly, you cannot apply a one size fits all approach to mental health services.”

When students think about mental health care on campus, many only picture individual therapy appointments. For stepped care to be successful, counseling services have created a visual explanation of the model to help expand understanding of what mental health care can include and describe the broad array of resources available to Minot State students.

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The Stepped Care Model is founded on the following beliefs:

Students should not have to wait for mental health services. Different students require different levels of care. Finding the right level of care often depends on monitoring outcomes. Moving from lower to higher levels of care, based on student outcomes, often increases effectiveness of mental health services.

The goals of the Stepped Care Model at the Minot State University Student Health Clinic and Counseling Services include:

Providing timely access to mental health care and education.

Creating customized treatment in response to unique and specific needs of each individual student.

Connecting students to a range of wellness and academic services and supports, both inside counseling services and across Minot State’s campus.

Introducing students to resources, including online screenings and websites, mental health-based apps, and self-help materials.

Increasing utilization of psychoeducational consultations.

Increasing utilization of short-term services.

Providing referrals to community providers.

Minot State values an environment and culture allowing each student to fully realize their potential. As part of the student affairs structure, counseling services strive to create a sense of belonging for students, parents, and guests, and exists to assist students in achieving their dreams and a degree from the University. The Student Health Clinic is comprised of a well-rounded team of individuals available to help meet those needs, including a counselor, nurse, social worker, and part-time nurse practitioner.

“Stepped care at Minot State University is a holistic approach that addresses prevention through intervention,” said Roness. “This approach helps ensure students are getting the support they need — not more, not less.”

MSU’SOFFICEOFINTERNATIONALPROGRAMS WELCOMESNEWLEADERSHIPTEAM

Minot State University's commitment to fostering a globally inclusive academic environment is reaching new heights with its revitalized office of international programs staff.

With Maleeha Latif ’18 as the director of international programs, Erin Anderson as the international student/SEVIS coordinator, and Araceli Erickson '17 as the international activity coordinator, the University is poised to further enhance its international presence and provide exceptional support to its diverse student body.

One thing the three have in common is the community sense they feel is provided by the small class sizes on campus. It lets them know each student personally rather than just seeing them as numbers.

Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, but having spent much of her life abroad in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, Latif's unique perspective brings a wealth of experience to her role. Her journey at the University began as a graduate student, drawn to the institution for its affordability. However, it is the campus beauty that is keeping her around. "I love the architecture of the campus — it is a pleasure to see," she said.

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Originally from Minnesota and wanting to learn and experience diverse cultures, Anderson ended up at Minot State with a crucial role in supporting the needs of international students at the University. "We work hard to stay up to date with all F1 regulations,” she said. “Our door is always open, and students are welcome to come in with any questions. We are here to help." Anderson's expertise in immigration compliance and student services ensures that international students receive comprehensive support throughout their academic journey.

Erickson ’17, native of Paraguay and newly appointed in her role, brings her unique perspective as a former international student to the University's global community. Erickson's role focuses on organizing activities and events that promote cultural exchange and integration. "Most international students do not know much about the town and the community when they arrive here,” she said. “My role is to introduce them to the community and facilitate their integration." Her dedication to creating a welcoming environment and helping students acclimate highlights her commitment to enhancing the overall experience of international students.

The office of international programs emphasizes supporting international students' academic and social integration. One of their key initiatives is the first-year experience class American Culture and College Life. This class not only familiarizes students with the American culture and college life in general, but also highlights the various resources available on campus.

Minot State actively recruits international students, allowing them to experience high-quality education at an affordable cost. International students pay the same tuition as in-state students, which is already one of the lowest in the country. "The University's commitment to accessibility and affordability attracts students from around the world," said Latif.

MSU organizes events such as a cultural celebration to encourage cultural exchange and interaction between international and domestic students. This event, usually held in November, allows international students to display their cultures and countries through stands and presentations on campus. While the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted these events, Latif's office eagerly prepares to reinstate them fully in the coming year.

Under the leadership of Latif, the office of international programs is also committed to empowering students through transformative study abroad experiences with partnerships with prestigious universities such as Florence School of Fine Arts in Italy, Kristianstad University in Sweden, and the University of Southeastern Norway and collaborations with renowned organizations like International Studies Abroad (ISA), The Education Abroad Network (TEAN), and Semester At Sea (SAS) to provide students with diverse study abroad opportunities in Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.

With a dynamic and new team at the helm, Minot State University's office of international programs is ready to break borders and increase opportunities for its student body.