April Connection

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Matt Sagaser ...................................................................... Chair

Lee Pierce ...................................................................Vice-Chair

Dave Ehlis ....................................................................Secretary

Wendy Van Duyne ..................................................... Past Chair

David Rogstad ............................................................ Treasurer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Evan Anderson ...........................................................Gizmonics

Kimberly Bloms ....Kids in Motion Pediatric Therapy & Wellness

Nathan Boehm ....................................................Morton County

Andy Buntrock ....................... Basin Electric Power Cooperative

Joe Camisa ..........................................................City of Mandan

Dan Eastgate ....................................Venture Real Estate Group

Dave Ehlis ..............................................................Bravera Bank

Fred Fridley .........................................................Sanford Health

Heather Jones .............................................City Air Mechanical

Amber Larson .....................................................Bartlett & West

Wayne Munson ..................................................Burleigh County

Larry Oswald ......................................Montana-Dakota Utilities

Marnie Piehl .......................................................................AARP

Lee Pierce .........................................................ICON Architects

Mike Remboldt ................................................................HIT Inc.

Dave Rogstad ....................................................... Starion Bank

Matt Sagaser ......................................................Doosan Bobcat

Mike Schmitz .....................................................City of Bismarck

Wendy Van Duyne .....................Stantec Consulting Services Inc.

CHAMBER EDC STAFF

Emily Eback ...Business Development & Marketing Coordinator

Tatelyn Houle ................................................Event Coordinator

Brenda Nagel .................................................President & CEO

Rachel Neff ..................Membership Sales & Retention Director

Christine Nelson ..........................Vice President Sales & Events

Rebecca Pelkey .................................Communications Specialist

Julianne Sauvage ...................... Office & Accounting Manager

Lyndsey Scheurer .........................Creative Marketing Specialist

Nathan Schneider .........Vice President Economic Development

Emily Seebold ................................................ Sales Coordinator

Cathryn Sprynczynatyk .....................Communications Specialist

Summer Sturm ................Workforce Development Coordinator

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

CONTACT INFORMATION

Advertising

Emily Seebold eseebold@bmcedc.com

Content

Rebecca Pelkey rpelkey@bmcedc.com

Hello Bismarck-Mandan!

Welcome to the April issue of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC Connection We’ve talked a lot about building a workforce to serve our Bismarck-Mandan community and I am happy to report that our 2024 Job Shadow Week was a success! It is exciting to see the passion from our high school students and encouraging that these efforts in Bismarck and Mandan are helping to shape tomorrow’s workforce. Job Shadow Week provided a unique opportunity for our business community to witness 170 plus job shadow students across 89 occupations. The support from the business community was overwhelming with 35 businesses hosting job shadow students. Throughout Job Shadow Week, students from Bismarck and Mandan schools and neighboring communities shadowed real career pathways available within our community. These efforts have proven to be successful in helping our next generation of workforce make better decisions about career choices and supports our local membership in exposing students to opportunities. High-five to Nathan Schneider, Emily Eback and Summer Sturm for their coordination of this great event!

In this April Connection issue, you will read about another important topic for our community-women in business. The four women featured have very diverse backgrounds and work in dynamic occupations, but the main theme is their work ethic, drive for success and humble approach to those they work with and for. In addition, you’ll find a great resource for options available to small businesses along with other great content that the Chamber EDC staff pulls together to keep you, our membership, informed.

Later this month, I hope to see a packed house at the Bismarck Event Center for the Chamber EDC Annual Dinner. This event is a great opportunity for membership to come together to collaborate and celebrate all the accomplishments we’ve had as a community of business leaders this past year as well as a chance to look ahead into the rest of 2024. If you haven’t purchased your table or tickets, be sure to contact Christine Nelson for the April 18th event.

Thank you for your Chamber EDC membership and support!

Matt Sagaser, Chair Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC

Cover Photo Credit:

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

By Cathryn Sprynczynatyk

North Dakota is ahead of the curve when it comes to women in businesses. In fact, you could consider the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery to be some of the original businesswomen of Bismarck-Mandan.

According to the North Dakota Women’s Business Center, 42.9 percent of all small businesses in North Dakota are owned by women. By comparison, only 11.69 percent of small businesses in the United States are owned by women. From small business owners to the C-suites, women are successful in business across Bismarck-Mandan.

The Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery could be considered some of original businesswomen of Bismarck-Mandan. They founded and are still involved in two major employers in Bismarck-Mandan: University of Mary and CHI St. Alexius Health.

Five Benedictine sisters arrived in Bismarck in 1878 to start St. Mary’s Academy and Boarding School. In the early 1880s, there were no hospitals west of the Mississippi River. In 1885, seven more sisters arrived in Bismarck to found the first hospital in Dakota Territory.

Today, Sr. Nancy Miller is the Director of Mission Integration at CHI St. Alexius Health. Business was a part of her calling before the religious life became a part of her calling.

Miller’s interaction with the Benedictine Sisters began with a degree in Business Administration from University of Mary. She comes from a business-minded family. Her father, Paul Miller, still owns Miller Clothing in Harvey, N.D. Miller has five biological sisters and jokingly said they have never forgiven their father for opening a men’s clothing store instead of a women’s clothing store.

Miller said she wasn’t expecting to take over the family business — that fell to older brother Tom Miller — but retail is something she was always interested in.

As Miller started her business career, her father served as one of her mentors.

SR. NANCY MILLER, OSB Director of Mission Integration CHI St. Alexius Health

Photo Credit: LPT Images

“He certainly was successful as a businessman, but also as a father and a family man,” Miller said. “He would go the extra mile to serve people.”

Miller said her father’s service to others was evident in the way he would not hesitate to help a customer after hours or on Sundays. Her father often said, “What is the Christian thing to do in this situation? If you think about that, it will never fail you.”

“I was following my business path,” Miller said. “I wanted to be married, raise a family, be involved in some sort of business — maybe not make millions of dollars, but I wanted to make some sort of living in business.”

Miller started her career working for Target Corporation. She had a promotion opportunity that would have taken her to corporate headquarters in Minneapolis, but at the same time she started reengaging with the sisters at Annunciation Monastery. Instead of pursuing the corporate promotion, Miller entered formation at the monastery.

“Being alone isn’t something I desired,” Miller said. “It is very significant to be with a group of like-minded women who are pursuing the same goals, growing in faith, and drawing closer to God.”

Miller said her individual work for the sisters wasn’t necessarily based on what she was interested in, but what would be most helpful to the monastic community. From the start, her business degree proved to be an asset. Throughout her career, Miller has worked in the business office at Annunciation Monastery, served various roles at University of Mary, and been elected Prioress of Annunciation Monastery for two 4-year terms.

“I was (the sisters’) spiritual leader and their administrative leader,” Miller said. “I learned a lot about what it means to lead a community. I learned a lot about myself as a leader.”

Being the boss at Annunciation Monastery is not like aspiring to be the boss in the private sector. In religious life, Miller said, “You don’t run for election, you run from it.” The community decides what the needs of the monastery are, and they chose the sister who has the skills and talents to lead the community in that direction.

After eight years as Prioress, Miller became Director of Mission Integration at CHI St. Alexius Health.

“My primary role is to work with our employees to help make sure mission is alive and well within the halls of our medical center,” Miller said. “I make sure we are living by the values we speak of and to receive all as Christ. ‘To receive all as Christ’ is a Gospel mandate for us. It’s part of the Rule of Saint Benedict as well.”

The sisters are not as involved in the hospital as they were when they founded it — for very good reasons.

“Ever since the beginning, we became very involved with the civic community to help the hospital to grow,” Miller said. “Early on we saw the need to engage the larger community, because they had the expertise for the hospital to be able to grow.”

In the 1970s, St. Alexius hired its first hospital administrator who was not a sister.

“Healthcare has grown and has become really complicated and highly regulated,” Miller said. “We have fewer sisters who are able to be trained in the roles of hospital administrator, or doctor, or nurse.”

Miller said the Benedictine sisters knew St. Alexius could not remain a standalone hospital, and it needed to become part of a larger healthcare system. In 2014, St. Alexius joined Catholic Health Initiatives. The sisters remain integral through their continued sponsorship, serving on the Board of Directors and working at the hospital.

“I am very proud to be a part of Annunciation Monastery because of what we have accomplished through education and healthcare and social services,” Miller said. “I am excited to see what the future brings as we continue to serve the needs of those around us.”

Molly Barnes has always worked in a man’s world, and it hasn’t always been easy. Barnes said that while there have been challenges, she has had a tremendous career with more positives than negatives.

Barnes is a part of the McCormick family, which owns Northern Improvement Co. When Barnes was in college, she worked construction during summers. Her first year working construction, she was a flagger at the intersection of Washington Street and Century Avenue in Bismarck.

“After that, I swore I would never work construction ever again, which was hilarious,” Barnes said. “I realized construction was a great way to make money for the year and not have to worry about making ends meet during the school year.”

Instead of pursuing law school after college, Barnes continued working at the family business working at a gravel pit in Minnesota. She started in bookkeeping and then learned how to weld. She spent the first five years of her construction career as a welder on a dragline. When they were crushing rock, she was operating the crusher. Sometimes, she would run parts or help service the machinery.

“I really got my hands dirty,” Barnes said. “My supervisor joked that all I had to do was look at a pile of dirt, and I would be dirty. I made good money, worked a ton of hours, and it kept me out of trouble. Not that everything was sunshine and daisies. This was the 1990s, and there were some people who didn’t want me there as a woman.”

It didn’t help her situation that she was a daughter working in the family business. Barnes is in the fourth generation out of five generations that have owned the McCormick companies. She said sometimes it felt like a double whammy being a woman and a family member in the company.

“There were some people who felt I didn’t deserve to be in the job, and I was taking work away from able-bodied men,” Barnes said.

She has heard it all from comments like “I see how you got your job,” to “You only got your job because of your family.”

To be clear, Barnes said those comments came from outside the company. She described her colleagues at Northern Improvement Co. as being “like family” who have given her “tremendous support.”

“I would rather be judged on my own merit,” Barnes said. “To do that, I had to work hard to prove my worth.”

At her father’s suggestion, Barnes went back to school for a civil engineering and land surveying technology program. Upon graduation, she began working as an estimator and project manager out of the Fargo office.

It’s no surprise that in a male-dominated industry, she has had male mentors. While working as an estimator and project manager, her boss and mentor was Kim Conlon.

MOLLY BARNES

Senior Executive Vice President Northern Improvement Co.

Photo Credit: LPT Images

“He gave me the mentality that by working hard, I deserved to be at that job,” Barnes said. “He definitely pushed me to be good at my job. He helped my confidence tremendously… He still works for us even though he has retired a couple of times.”

Barnes said Conlon didn’t see gender lines, which was particularly helpful for her and another female estimator. A man once threatened to walk off the job because he didn’t want to work with Barnes. When Barnes was servicing equipment, another man said she had no right to be in “his” machine. Barnes said she is grateful to the colleagues who backed her up each time.

Today, Barnes is Senior Executive Vice President for Northern Improvement Co. She oversees the servicing and management of all their construction equipment.

Although the climate has improved, it’s still not perfect. CONEXPO, North America’s largest construction trade show, is held every three years in Las Vegas. When Barnes first started attending construction trade shows, it was common to see scantily clad “booth babes.” Barnes attended a recent CONEXPO with her husband, John, who is 6 foot 7 inches and “a big, brawny guy.” She said one salesman “locked onto” John and gave his whole pitch. When the salesman finished, he asked John, “How did that sound?” John replied, “I have no idea what you just said. You really have to talk to her. I’m just here to hold the bag.” Barnes said the color drained from the salesman’s face, but she and her husband had a good laugh. There has been a big shift in what you see and how it is presented at shows like CONEXPO. Barnes said you see more women in all facets of the construction industry.

“I’d like to believe I have earned respect from manufactures and dealers that we work with,” Barnes said.

Stacy Sturm always knew she wanted to be on the radio — or at least work in some kind of communications. The problem was that she knew how hard it could be to get a full-time job in radio. So she made a deal with herself. If she couldn’t land a full-time radio gig by age 25, then she would take it as a sign she was not meant to work in radio.

One week before Sturm’s 25th birthday, she got a call from Y-93 to meet and discuss a full-time opening on their morning show. While she got to work her dream job for eight years, reality eventually intruded. Sturm’s contract was eventually bought out, and she went to work in marketing and public relations.

Sturm’s love of radio never left. In 2008, a friend suggested Sturm consider an internet radio station. Sturm founded URL Radio, which stands for U Rock Lately.

“We were the first internet radio station to function in the state of North Dakota,” Sturm said. “We brought an entire new medium to the state.”

Sturm and the staff at URL Radio were pioneers in digital marketing and podcasting. They were even part of an exhibit at the North Dakota Heritage Center.

“I left a very comfy career to go out on a limb and try something new,” Sturm said. “It could have failed miserably.”

When URL Radio first opened in 2008, clients were hesitant to spend money on this new thing called digital marketing. To supplement income and introduce URL Radio to the community, Sturm started planning events.

“At that time, a lot of the advertising agencies around here didn’t want to touch (digital and social media marketing)…” Sturm said. “To supplement our income and introduce ourselves to the community, we started doing events. It literally saved our business until the world caught up to social media marketing.”

Some of Sturm’s most notable events include Haunted History Downtown Tours, coffee crawls, mimosa crawls, food truck festivals, and “Just a Brunch of Kings and Queens” drag show.

After 16 years, URL Radio is still going strong. In 2023 they celebrated their 1 millionth unique listener.

STACY STURM Owner of URL Radio Co-Owner of Thomas & Moriarty’s

Photo Credit: LPT Images

“That was a huge milestone to know 1 million people have tuned into your radio station,” Sturm said.

While radio may be Sturm’s first love, bartending is not. But another love brought her into the bartending world.

In 2018, Sturm and boyfriend Mike Kashey opened Thomas & Moriarty’s bar on Main Street in Mandan. Kashey is the brain behind the craft cocktail creation. Sturm is the brain behind the business operation.

“We talked about starting up something in Mandan specifically, because there was nothing like (Thomas & Moriarty’s) in Mandan,” Sturm said. “As a businessperson, I would not have just started up a bar had Mike not had that experience… We both have our areas of comfort. He doesn’t like to deal with the public or vendors or the event stuff. I sure as heck know nothing about drinks.”

Sturm said you have to have thick skin to work in the bar industry. As she put it, dealing with drunk people is not easy.

“I tend to pick industries where women are not incredibly welcome or respected,” Sturm said.

In the bar industry, her mentors include other female bar owners in Mandan like Tanya Johnson of Old Town Tavern and Hannah Schafer of Dialectic Brewing Company. In the radio industry, her mentors have been men including radio personalities Bob Brady, Bob Beck, and Dave Thompson. Brady and Sturm hosted a local morning radio show together for seven years. Today, they still collaborate on podcasts for URL Radio.

Sturm’s career path took a big impact in 2021 when she was diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer.

“I have had to slow down a lot since my diagnosis,” Sturm said. “I physically can’t do what I used to do, which is the most frustrating thing.

Sturm said she is still taking a daily chemo pill, and it’s difficult when people think she has fully recovered from cancer.

“It takes two days for my body to recover after running an event, even though it’s two years after my cancer journey,” Sturm said. “I think people don’t understand that. They expect me to be back to normal... I still get run down.”

Still, Sturm is going strong. Her advice for women who want to pursue a career in radio or the restaurant and bar industry draws on that strength: “Have a thick skin and hustle.”

ALEXANDRA LUND

Alexandra Lund’s career path has been shaped in so many different ways by her mother — by her mother’s motivation, by her terminal illness, by her death, and by the knowledge that no one is guaranteed a retirement.

Lund went to school for graphic design at Bismarck State College and continued her education at North Dakota State University.

Finals week before graduation from BSC, Lund was researching at Barnes & Noble. She opened a graphic design book and found a note that said “Whatever you do, don’t be a graphic designer. You will make no money.”

“I like to prove people wrong when they tell me something is not possible,” Lund said. “I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”

Lund said she has spent 18 years since then proving what you can do with a graphic design degree.

“I had dreams of moving to New York City and working for an advertising firm on Fifth Avenue,” Lund said.

When Lund was 12, her mother Kristin Gilliss was diagnosed with brain cancer, which Gilliss battled for 16 years before passing away in 2015. With her younger brothers in elementary and high school, Lund stayed close to home to be her mother’s caretaker. She started working at a sign shop in Bismarck.

“If I can’t be in New York City working for an advertising firm, then I want to bring the colors and advertising of New York City to Bismarck,” Lund said.

While she started her career working for others, Lund eventually got restless and said she felt like she wanted more involvement in the community and more control over marketing and sales.

In 2018, Lund, The Sticker Lady, partnered with Wayne Munson, The Sign Guy, and Jennifer Francis, The Numbers Lady, to found Bismarck Sign Co. Lund said they decided to “go big or go home.” They signed a personal guarantee to lease an 11,000 square foot building for five years. They had an operating loan and a line of credit.

“You know it’s an investment, but there is just something really scary about signing personal guarantees,” Lund said.

Lund said if the business had failed in the first year, they would have been in an alarming amount of debt.

“That was really scary,” Lund said, “but at the same time we never stopped to think, ‘What if we fail?’ We always talked about, ‘How can we make this succeed? What’s next? How can we make this better?’ I was bound and determined that we were not going to fail.”

The Sticker Lady Visionary and Co-Founder of Bismarck Sign Co.

Photo Credit: LPT Images

The business got off to a rocky start, both personally and professionally. Lund had a young baby at home. Just as the business was hitting its stride two years in, COVID-19 hit. Lund said no businesses were spending money, and they had a lot of employees on the payroll. They brainstormed ways to make money. They worked with families who couldn’t celebrate their graduating seniors with in-person parties, but they could celebrate them with signage. They offered free signage to restaurants saying “Open for business” or “Open for delivery.” While they wanted to support the restaurants pro bono, they also hoped the businesses would remember Bismarck Sign Co. in the future.

Business boomed post-COVID, but supply-chain issues were still a problem. Then, Lund had another baby who ended up in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. With no day care availability, Lund brought her daughter to work for the first six months. Unfortunately, Lund said her industry is not conducive to that. While her baby was with her at work, she would be climbing ladders, working with heat guns, meeting with contractors, and working with knives. She said she is grateful to her team, who helped watch her daughter in those circumstances.

“When I started (Bismarck Sign Co.), my focus was on sales volume,” Lund said. “Now, I know you can work smarter, focus less on pushing volume, and focus more on a higher profit margin.”

Now that business is stable post-COVID, Lund has her eye on the next goal. In the next few months, they will launch another company called School Sign Co. The company will focus on sign products in the education industry, and it will be targeted nationally.

“My goal is to build both of these companies to be able to run without me and yet still stay involved,” Lund said. “I have been trying to move away from day-to-day operations.”

As Lund moves away from day-to-day operations, she is moving deeper into her passion for coaching and speaking through The Sticker Lady Coaching. Lund said her goal is to spend 40 percent of her time coaching and speaking, 40 percent with her family, and 20 percent in the sign and wraps world.

“Coaching and speaking is where my heart is at,” Lund said. “My mom didn’t make it to retirement. She passed away at age 52. I don’t want to wait until retirement to do this.”

Lund’s mother still inspires her today.

“She was always in my ear saying, ‘You need to dream big and work as hard as you can to get there,’” Lund said. “She’s been gone for almost a decade now, but those things stick with you.”

Lund said she uses journaling to push herself toward her goals.

“I journal in the morning and night to my future self,” Lund said. “What does five years from now look like? And how are you going to get there?”

Lund described her mother as a feminist who went to school for a male-dominated industry, but was turned down for jobs because she was female. Being her mother’s caretaker for 16 years is Lund’s proudest accomplishment.

“My mom had brain cancer, and she ended up paralyzed in her final stages,” Lund said. “I was taking care of someone who was paralyzed, in a wheelchair, and couldn’t speak. It’s like taking care of a baby, except they are adult-sized.”

Along with her passion for coaching and mentoring, Lund helped to co-found Empowering Women in Business at the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC. She contacted Chamber EDC Vice President Christine Nelson, who had recently begun working on the concept.

“I was frustrated seeing all of these great women with so much potential, who weren’t getting the training to move up in their industry,” Lund said.

Lund co-founded Empowering Women in Business and joined the first cohort to mentor other women.

“Don’t let someone else write your story,” Lund said. “Write your own story. If you want to be in the C-suite, figure out how to get into the C-suite. Don’t sit back and wait for someone to find you. Be known.”

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

By Cathryn Sprynczynatyk

The Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC can provide information on many business assistance programs.

“The Chamber EDC’s tagline is ‘Moving Business Forward,’” said Nathan Schneider, Vice President of Economic Development. “We want to help businesses grow, whether they are small or large. The more we can help businesses grow in our community, the better everyone is. A rising tide lifts all ships.”

The following list is not comprehensive. If you would like additional information on any business assistance program, contact Nathan at 701-223-5660 or nschneider@bmcedc.com

AG PRODUCTS UTILIZATION COMMISSION (APUC)

Agricultural Products Utilization Commission (APUC) through the North Dakota Department of Agriculture creates new wealth and employment opportunities through the development of new and expanded uses of North Dakota's agricultural products through a grant program.

AGRICULTURE DIVERSIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT FUND (ADD)

ADD was established to support new or expanding value-added-agriculture businesses that demonstrate financial feasibility, enhance profitability for farmers and ranchers, create jobs, and grow North Dakota’s economy. The funding opportunities include grants and interest buydowns.

ANGEL MATCH PROGRAM

Through this direct investment program, private investor investments in eligible business can be matched up to a maximum $250,000 per business.

AUTOMATION TAX CREDIT

The purpose of the Automation Tax Credit is to allow a taxpayer an income tax credit for the purchase or capital lease of machinery and equipment to automate a manufacturing or animal agricultural process in North Dakota.

BISMARCK VISION FUND

The Bismarck Vision Fund is a city-sales-tax-supported fund that provides assistance to businesses that wish to relocate to or expand in Bismarck.

BND MATCH PROGRAM

Bank of North Dakota’s Match Program provides competitive interest rates to eligible, financially strong companies looking to move to or expand in North Dakota.

BROWNFIELD ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

The City of Mandan was awarded a $300,000 Brownfield Community-wide Assessment Grant to support the assessment, cleanup, and revitalization of vacant and underutilized sites throughout the city. Funding is available through September 2024.

CAREER BUILDERS STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT

The maximum loan repayment grant is $17,000, with onethird of the loan repaid each year the graduate lives and works in North Dakota. The program requires a 1:1 publicprivate match.

COMMERCIAL REMODELING PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION

Commercial properties older than 25 years in Mandan and 30 years in Bismarck are eligible for an exemption for up to three years for any value added due to certain remodeling projects or additions.

CORPORATE INCOME TAX EXEMPTION

Newly established primary sector businesses, or expansions of existing primary sector businesses, are eligible for an exemption up to five years from North Dakota state corporate income taxes.

FIRE SPRINKLER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Mandan commercial property owners may apply for a forgivable loan, not to exceed $10,000, for up to 50 percent of their investment in the installation, upgrade, or retrofit of fire sprinkler systems.

INNOVATE ND

This grant reimbursement program is designed to help North Dakota entrepreneurs further their business by supporting customer and market research.

LIFT FUND

The Innovation Technology Loan Fund (LIFT) was established for the purpose of providing financing for commercialization of intellectual property within the State of North Dakota.

MAIN STREET – DAKOTA BUSINESS LENDING

This is designed for start-up and emerging businesses with microloan needs, providing loans up to $50,000 with unique rates and terms specially developed for this financing need that is often unavailable through conventional sources.

MANDAN GROWTH FUND

The Growth Fund Committee considers applications for assistance and incentives with a focus on developing employment within the area, expanding the local tax base, increasing capital investment, and improving the entrepreneurial climate.

MORTON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT FUND

The dollars from this fund are to be used for project in rural areas of Morton County and include the communities of Almont, Flasher, Glen Ullin, Hebron, and New Salem.

NDOF COLLATERAL SUPPORT PROGRAM

The North Dakota Opportunity Fund (NDOF) Collateral Support Program will establish pledged case collateral accounts with lending institutions to enhance loan collateral for qualifying businesses, which will help them obtain financing on acceptable terms and conditions.

NEW JOBS TRAINING PROGRAM

This program offers incentives to primary sector businesses that are creating new full-time jobs through business expansion, creation, or relocation to the state.

NEW MARKETS TAX CREDITS

To qualify for New Markets Tax Credits a project must be in a qualifying census tract, the size and scale of the project needs to be transformative to the (re)development of the distressed area, and the project is adaptable to the unique structure and requirements of the program.

NEW VENTURE CAPITAL PROGRAM

The goal of the New Venture Capital Fund is to stimulate private sector investment and promote diversification of the economy by supporting a variety of pre-revenue; midstage and late stage startup companies.

NORTH DAKOTA CAREER BUILDERS

This program provides matching funds to help North Dakota businesses recruit employees and keep our talent in North Dakota.

NORTH DAKOTA DEVELOPMENT FUND

The North Dakota Development Fund provides “flexible gap financing” through loans and equity investments not available from most conventional lenders for the purpose of economic development.

NORTH DAKOTA OPPORTUNITY FUND – LEWIS & CLARK DEVELOPMENT GROUP

A revolving loan fund which offers gap financing for projects that include construction, equipment, term working capital, and real estate.

NORTH DAKOTA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

SBDC services include management and technical assistance, assistance with access to capital, and guidance for business planning and forecasting.

OPERATION INTERN

Operation Intern was created to allow more businesses the opportunity to prove apprenticeships, internships, and real-world work experiences.

PACE AND FLEX PACE

PACE and Flex PACE are interest buy-down programs by which a project works through a lead bank of their choice and the Bank of North Dakota along with the local community “buy down” the interest rate on the loan.

PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES (PILOT)

As an alternative to the complete or partial five-year property tax exemption, a qualifying project can negotiate a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for up to 20 years.

PRIDE OF DAKOTA

Pride of Dakota benefits include access to grants, vendor and promotional opportunities, development assistance, Pride of Dakota logo usage permission, educational opportunities, access to important business contacts, listings on the Pride of Dakota website, social networks, printed directory, and more.

PRIMARY SECTOR CERTIFICATION

In order to qualify for the certification a business must be adding value to a product, process, or service and generating more than 75 percent of their revenue from outside the state of North Dakota. A certified business is eligible for property, income, and sales tax exemption and a host of financing programs and workforce development programs.

PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION

A qualifying project may receive a complete or partial exemption from ad valorem taxation for up to five years on new or existing buildings or structures used in the project. Land is not exempt.

RENAISSANCE ZONE

The Renaissance Zone program provides tax exemptions and credits to both residents and businesses for revitalization and redevelopment activities within the zone.

RETAIL INCENTIVE PROGRAM

The City of Mandan offers a retail incentive program for new and expanding businesses that fill a gap in the city’s market profile and meet other program criteria.

SALES & USE TAX EXEMPTION

North Dakota provides sales tax exemptions for equipment and materials used in manufacturing and other targeted industries.

SBA 504 LOAN PROGRAM

This program provides long-term, fixed rate financing for major fixed assets that promote business growth and job creation. These loans are provided through Certified Development Corporations, which include Dakota Business Lending and Lewis & Clark Development Group

STOREFRONT & LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

This City of Mandan program is for the downtown core and fringe areas to add momentum to the central business district revitalization process by offering matching funds to downtown businesses and commercial properties owners for improvements to the exterior of buildings on streetfacing sides.

TAX INCREMENT FINANCE (TIF) DISTRICT

A Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district can reduce property taxes incurred or provide an alternative to costs for infrastructure to or near a project site.

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT

The Rural Development Business Programs provide financial backing and technical assistance to stimulate business creation and growth.

WORKFORCE RECRUITMENT CREDIT

A business that employs extraordinary recruitment methods to recruit and hire employees for hard-to-fill positions in North Dakota is eligible for a credit equal to 5 percent of the compensation paid during the first 12 consecutive months to that employee.

For over 20 years, Dave & Ted have traveled coast to coast in the United States and Mexico as one of

soughtafter dueling piano acts in the country! Their high-energy mix of comedy, music, and extensive audience participation makes this show unlike any other. Get ready to sing, clap, and laugh along as Dave & Ted defy all expectations of a dueling piano show and lead the way to an unforgettable experience. Their shows have loads of laughter and tons of interaction - making it the most unique, memorable and intimate theater experience you'll attend!

ROUNDHOUSE GASTRO PUB/ THE ELBOW ROOM

Tell us about yourself and your role within your business.

A: My name is Katie Potts and I'm the General Manager at the Roundhouse Gastro Pub/ The Elbow Room. My role in the business is to make sure that the business runs smoothly and that all the customers are taken care of. The staff is actually what makes the experience here. In the 20 plus years that I have been in the bar and restaurant industry, this staff is by far one of the absolute best staffs that I have had the pleasure to work with. Not only do they take care of the customers, they always have each other's back.

MEMBER SINCE 2019

Briefly tell us the history behind Roundhouse Gastro Pub/Elbow Room and how you got started.

A: The origination of the Elbow Room dates back to the 1960's, making it one of the oldest bars in BismarckMandan. In December of 2018, the Roundhouse Gastro Pub was established on the other side of the Elbow Room. The Roundhouse offers a classy vibe with high end liquors, with special interest in whiskeys and tequilas. Because the two bars are connected, they both have the same food menu that has a focus on your typical "bar food", such as wings, burgers and appetizers.

How has the growth of Bismarck-Mandan impacted Roundhouse Gastro Pub/Elbow Room?

A: The growth in the Bismarck-Mandan area has helped business grow tremendously. Since we are located in the heart of Bismarck, we are a must-stop for locals who are downtown. We are also a short walking distance from several downtown hotels, making us a fun destination for out-of-towners as well.

Roundhouse Gastro Pub / The Elbow Room have been Chamber EDC members since 2019.

Katie Potts

What trends are taking place in your industry?

A: There has been a huge change in the bar and restaurant industry ever since COVID-19 hit a few years ago. We are finding that people don't go out as much. Also, it is expensive to go out, and we understand that, and this is why we try to have fun daily and nightly specials.

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

A: I think that this business will continue to grow and grow. We have added entertainment on the weekends and are looking to do more during the week.

Our outdoor parties in the summer are always something to

Roundhouse Gastro Pub/Elbow Room became a Chamber EDC member in 2019, why do you continue to renew?

A: We continue to renew each year to stay involved within the Bismarck-Mandan community. The Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC provides numerous opportunities for us to network with other Chamber EDC members and we see great value in our membership.

What should other Chamber EDC members know about Roundhouse Gastro Pub/Elbow Room that may assist them?

A: The community should know that we can offer a place

2023 TAXABLE SALES AND PURCHASES

Taxable sales and purchases in North Dakota in 2023 were 11.5% higher than the previous year which totaled $26.7 billion over the year, compared to $24.1 billion in 2022. Major industry sectors reported an increase in taxable sales and purchases in 2023 in comparison to 2022. The wholesale trade sector increased by 14.4%, the mining and oil extraction sector increased by 37.5%, and the retail trade sector saw a 3.9% gain.

The Burleigh-Morton area has experienced an increase in Taxable Sales & Purchases over the past four years. Collections have increased by 18.91% from $1,814,777,722 in 2020 to $2,157,966,726 in 2023. Bismarck has experienced a 17.74% increase and Mandan a 24.09% increase in Taxable Sales & Purchases.

EMPLOYER OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH REENTRY SERVICES

Difficulty finding workers to fill open roles in your business?

Consider hiring a second chance individual!

Second chance individuals are those who have a criminal history and are seeking gainful employment. Ministry on the Margins can serve as a realistic pipeline and filter for employers looking for candidates. Many employers may have certain hiring restrictions which MOTM can help them navigate towards the right candidate. Any field or occupation can be suited for second chance individuals depending on the participant. MOTM serves as a strong social support to clients which can increase employer confidence.

To learn more about how you can fulfill your workforce needs with second chance individuals contact Nate Mickelson at 701-223-6315.

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OF THE MONTH

The COMMUNITY BASED EMPLOYMENT EDUCATION PROGRAM (CBEE), through Bismarck Public Schools, is designed to provide employment training to individuals with unique learning needs. Students have the opportunity to work in a variety of employment settings to enhance and improve their vocational skills and explore career options.

Students and employers benefit from this program through bridging gaps between education and workforce by giving students the opportunity to learn transferable skills.

Connect with Renae Peterson of Bismarck High School at 701-498-9287, Nicole Lund of Century High School at 701-498-9271, or Jennifer Sick of Legacy High School at 701-595-6528 for more information.

CHAMBER EDC WELCOMES BUNTROCK AND BLOMS TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC is thrilled to have Andy Buntrock of Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Kimberly Bloms of Kids in Motion Pediatric Therapy & Wellness join the Chamber EDC Board of Directors.

Andy Buntrock, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Communications, has been employed with Basin Electric since 2008. Buntrock received his Master’s in Business Administration from North Dakota State University, Fargo and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from North Dakota State University.

Buntrock also holds an A.A.S. Associate of Applied Science degree from Air Force Community College, and attended Banking School at Community First Bank. He studied International Business at Ecole Supérieure d'Agricultures, Angers, France. He retired from the North Dakota Air National Guard after 21 years.

Buntrock has served the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC in some capacity for over a decade. He lives near Menoken, North Dakota, with his wife KariAnn Buntrock and two daughters. They have a farm/ranch in which they live and enjoy everything the Bismarck-Mandan area has to offer for outdoors.

Kimberly Bloms is originally from Mandan and currently resides there with her husband, Adam, and her 12-year-old daughter, Priya. She grew up on a family-owned secondgeneration dairy farm and was her dad’s right-hand woman up until they retired in 1999. Kim attended college at BSC and Minot State where she envisioned her life going in the direction of becoming a police officer. After fracturing her ankle and needing PT, she embarked on a drastic career change and went back to school at the University of Mary where she received her doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2012. She has worked with the pediatric population in a juvenile justice setting and in early intervention with the birth to three programs for a total of 22 years.

In 2016, Kim battled and won against Leukemia which drastically changed her views on work-life balance. She started thinking that she needed a change and what that would look like. She consoled in some mentors about the challenge of wanting to be a business owner to provide a quality of care that she envisioned but was fearful of her medical history and what was to come. With some real feedback about what it meant to embrace what life had given her, she grabbed life by the horns and started planning. In July 2019, she opened Kids In Motion Pediatric Therapy and Wellness in Mandan, ND, to offer children and families a pediatric therapy option that embraces what she had learned about home visiting, family engagement, and community resources through previous work experiences with a more clinical experience.

The Chamber EDC would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Andrea Birst and Kevin Strege for their leadership and guidance toward our efforts in moving business forward through their dedicated Board service.

Andy Buntrock

Kimberly Bloms

LEADERSHIP BISMARCK-MANDAN

MEDIA DAY

Dakota Media Access hosted the Leadership class for Media Day. Director Mary Van Sickle welcomed the class with information on Dakota Media Access and a tour of their new facility. Three news directors participated in a panel: Blake Nicholson, Bismarck Tribune; Steph Malloy, KX News; Dave Thompson, Prairie Public Radio; and Amy Dalrymple, North Dakota Monitor. Kyle Niess, Odney CEO, spoke on “Innovative Strategies to Connect with your Audiences Through Technology.” Communications Director Nicole Peske presented on N.D. Department of Transportation’s success with social media. Finally, the class traveled to downtown Bismarck where they toured MOJO Radio and KFYR TV.

FAITH, VALUES AND ETHICS DAY

Heaven’s Helpers Soup Cafe hosted the day, and the class witnessed how the organization provides more than a traditional soup kitchen. Instead of serving food cafeteria style, volunteers wait on the guests, chat with them, and get to know them individually. Through fundraising and donations, Executive Director Mark Meier has been able to remodel the location to include a chapel, baptismal pool, and a thrift store at a separate site.

Marc Menge, Area Director for the Christian Business Men’s Connection, talked about “Faith in Business.” The class engaged with a “Diversity of Faith in Our Community” panel discussion, which included Pastor Luis San Jose Gomez, Iglesia del Nazareno Esperanza Viva; and Don Morrison, Unitarian-Universalist Church. Sr. Kathleen Atkinson closed the day by talking about “Servant Leadership & Social Advocacy” and the work of Ministry on the Margins.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Presenting Sponsor:

Gold

Scholarship

Sponsor: Sponsor:

Program Sponsors: Bartlett & West, Inc., Basin Electric Power Cooperative, KLJ Engineering

Media Day Co-chairs:

Trish Helgeson – NISC

Tammy Langerud – MDU Resources Group Inc.

Faith, Values and Ethics Co-chairs:

Dr. Ellie Shockley – North Dakota University System

Misty Curn – N.D. Office of Secretary of State Marcus Wagner – University of Mary

Lunch & Breakfast Sponsors:

MDU Resources Group (Media Day), Dakota Media Access (Media Day), Heaven’s Helpers Soup Cafe (Faith, Values,

20 UNDER 40 NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR BISMARCK-MANDAN

Who among BismarckMandan’s young movers and shakers stood up and stood out to you this past year?

It's time to nominate those who continue to make positive changes in Bismarck-Mandan. The Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC presents to you the 2024 20 Under 40 Awards.

Nominations can be submitted at www.bismarckmandan. com/20under40. The deadline for nominations is May 31. If you have any questions, please contact Cathryn Sprynczynatyk at 701-223-5660 or cathryn@bmcedc.com

LEADERSHIP BISMARCK-MANDAN GRADUATION

Toast our graduating leaders! Celebrate the Leadership Bismarck-Mandan class with a champagne and dessert graduation. Join us Thursday, May 16 at Chick’s Place in University of Mary with the 35th class of leaders as they graduate from the Leadership Bismarck-Mandan program. You are invited to attend and celebrate the Class of 2024.

Leadership Bismarck-Mandan, Class of 2024:

Kevin Allan – University of Mary

Joshua Baker – Dakota Eye Institute

Travis Dahl – Legacy Financial Partners

Tiffany Eckroth – HexaHive

Nicole Garrett – Montana Dakota Utilities Group

Jared Huibregtse – Bartlett & West

Kasey Janz – Bismarck Public Schools

Kent Kaylor – Bismarck Police Department

Kevin Klemisch – University of Mary

Jared Mack – Eide Bailly LLP

Carrie Meyer – J2 Studio Architecture + Design, PC

Micaela Ranisate – Starion Bank

Grace Renner – Touchmark on West Century

Jessica Tooke – North Dakota Development FundDepartment of Commerce

The cost for attending is $35.00 per person. Table sponsorship is $400. Register online at www.bismarckmandan. com/events or by calling the Chamber EDC at 701-2235660.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Presenting

Sponsor:

Gold Scholarship

Sponsor: Sponsor:

Program Sponsors: Bartlett & West, Inc., Basin Electric Power Cooperative, KLJ Engineering

Table Sponsors: Dakota Eye Institute, Eide Bailly, Leadership Bismarck-Mandan Alumni Association, Starion Bank, Touchmark on West Century

LEADERSHIP BISMARCK-MANDAN FIELD PROJECTS

Each year the Leadership Bismarck-Mandan class breaks into multiple groups to work on field projects addressing community needs. The class will be presenting their projects Wednesday, May 8 at the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC.

9:00am - 9:45am – Wellness Trail

The goal of the project is to cultivate and enhance a wellness trail for the public at the Bismarck State College campus.

Nicole Garrett

Kent Kaylor

Carrie Meyer

Grace Renner

10:00am -10:45am – Student Career Expo

Student Career Expo is designed to guide N.D. high school students through potential career paths. The expo will provide a platform for local industries to showcase their fields and opportunities to the next generation of workers.

Kevin Allan

Tiffany Eckroth

Kasey Janz

Kevin Klemisch

Jared Mack

Micaela Ranisate

11:00am - 11:45am – Childcare Needs Assessment

This project will conduct a childcare needs assessment for the Bismarck-Mandan community. One survey will target organizational leaders/corporate staff; the other survey will target employees.

Joshua Baker

Travis Dahl

Jared Huibregtse

Jessica Tooke

If you would like to attend any of these presentations, please RSVP to Cathryn Sprynczynatyk at 701-223-5660 or cathryn@bmcedc.com

Presenting Sponsor:

To help our Chamber EDC Members get the most out of their Chamber EDC Membership, we have thought of super simple tips and tricks to get involved or get noticed. Each month we will share those ideas, right here, in the Chamber EDC Connection!

According to Business News Daily, the beginning of the year is often the best time to look for a new job. If you or your business is currently hiring, consider posting your job listing on our CHAMBER EDC JOB BOARD

It is completely FREE to post your job listing on our job board and is an additional perk to your Chamber EDC membership.

It’s also super easy too! Just log into your Chamber EDC portal and click on Job Postings. From there, you can add your job listing and it will be displayed on our Chamber EDC website. You can also go in and modify the job posting at anytime.

If you have any questions on how to utilize this free membership perk, please reach out to the Chamber EDC staff by calling 701-223-5660

LEMONADE DAY: MEET OUR CITY CHAMPIONS!

Lemonade Day is back for its 9th year to teach youth the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and money management. Our young participants learn how to build, grow, and market their lemonade stands through the resources given to them and the help of their adult mentors.

This year we are so excited to introduce our Lemonade Day City Champions: Laiken DeMorrett, Advocacy Director at North Dakota Women’s Business Center and Evan Anderson, business owner of Gizmonics! Laiken and Evan will help generate excitement and outreach for all things Lemonade Day!

Join us and our City Champions at the Lemonade Day Kickoff Event May 22nd at the Dakota Zoo. For more information, please contact Tatelyn Houle at thoule@bmcedc.com. Interested in sponsoring Lemonade Day? Reach out to Emily Seebold at eseebold@bmcedc.com

THANK YOU SPONSORS! Main Squeeze Sponsors:

Fresh Squeeze Sponsors:

Lemon Head Sponsors: Bobcat, Dakota Fence, Gizmoincs, Grand Junction, Huck Financial, Naomi Keney with CENTURY 21 Morrison Realty, Our Family brought to you by Family Fare, Scheels, University of Mary, VUE Community Credit Union

Laiken DeMorrett

Evan Anderson

APR 18

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

CHAMBER EDC ANNUAL DINNER

Date: Thursday, April 18 Check-In/Social: 5:30pm - 7:00pm Event Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: Bismarck Event Center, Hall B — 315 S 5th Street, Bismarck

Admission: $100 for Chamber EDC members, $150 for General Admission

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

LEADERSHIP BISMARCK-MANDAN FIELD PROJECT PRESENTATIONS

MAY 8

MAY 15

Date: Wednesday, May 8 Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm

Location: Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC — 1640 Burnt Boat Drive, Bismarck

Admission: Free to Attend

Hear proposals from the Leadership Bismarck-Mandan class on how they plan to make an impact on our community.

MAY MEMBERSHIP MIXER: MCQUADE DISTRIBUTING

Date: Wednesday, May 15th Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm

Location: McQuade Distributing — 1150 Industrial Drive, Bismarck

Admission: Free to Attend

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

LEADERSHIP BISMARCK-MANDAN GRADUATION

MAY 16

Date: Thursday, May 16 Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Location: Chick's Place, University of Mary - 7500 University Drive, Bismarck

Admission: $35

Celebrate the graduation of the 35th cohort of Leadership Bismarck-Mandan.

LEMONADE DAY KICKOFF

MAY 22

JUNE 3

Date: Wednesday, May 22 Time: 3:00pm - 6:00pm

Location: Dakota Zoo — 602 Riverside Park Road, Bismarck

Admission: Free to Attend

Help us kickoff a sweet summer by registering your young entrepreneurs for this free program!

CHAMBER EDC OUTDOOR GOLF SCRAMBLE

Date: Monday, June 3 Check-In: 10:30am Announcements: 11:15am Start: 11:30am

Location: Prairie West Golf Course — 2709 Longspur Trail, Mandan

Admission: $175 Individual Player/ $700 for Team of Four

Enjoy a fun day of golfing with the Chamber EDC at our Outdoor Golf Scramble on Monday, June 3 at Prairie West Golf Course!

JUNE LUNCH ON THE PATIO

JUNE 12

JUNE 13

Date: Wednesday, June 12 Check-In: 11:30am - 1:00pm

Location: Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC — 1640 Burnt Boat Drive, Bismarck

Admission: Free to Attend

Kick off the Summer right by attending our first Lunch on the Patio for 2024.

JUNE MEMBERSHIP MIXER: SUBURU OF MANDAN

Date: Thursday, June 13 Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm

Location: TBD

Admission: Free to Attend

Enjoy some business after hours with fellow Chamber EDC members.

BASEBALL & FARIS FIELD RENOVATIONS

The Mandan Park Board approved the baseball renovation bids at the board meeting in February. Bids were advertised and opened on January 25.

The Mandan Baseball Club is responsible for facilitating and paying for the $5 million dollar renovation. The new features include the following

• Synthetic turf on Diamonds 9 & 10

• Press box and permanent bleachers on Diamond 9, seating for approximately 115 people

• New dugouts on Diamond 9 & 10

• Two new batting cages between Diamonds 9 & 10

• New grading for the outfield on Diamond 9 & 10

• New scoreboard for Diamond 9

• 20 ft fence on Diamond 9 located in left field for fan protection

There will be new fencing on Diamonds 9-12, paid for out of Mandan Parks and Recreation expense. The project is expected to start in mid-July and completed in the spring of 2025.

BISMARCK PUBLIC SCHOOLS RECOGNIZED AS COMMON SENSE DISTRICT FOR 20232024 SCHOOL YEAR

Common Sense, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids and families thrive in a world of media and technology, has recognized Bismarck Public Schools as a Common Sense District for the 2023-2024 school year.

The Common Sense recognition was awarded to Bismarck Public Schools for its commitment to preparing students to use digital media to create, connect, and learn while equipping them with the tools needed to navigate potential dangers like cyberbullying, plagiarism, and loss of privacy.

This recognition is given to districts that invest in a culture where the entire community collaborates to help kids thrive as digital learners and citizens.

Misti Frink, the district’s Library Media Coordinator and member of the Learning Design and Innovation team, said, “BPS has a strong commitment to providing lessons in digital citizenship to all students. We have maintained a Common Sense credential since 2016 to better prepare our students to handle the challenges of the digital world”

Bismarck Public Schools has been using Common Sense Education’s research-based digital citizenship resources, which were created in collaboration with researchers from Project Zero, led by Howard Gardner at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. “We applaud the faculty and staff of Bismarck Public Schools for embracing digital citizenship as an important part of their student’s education,” said Kelly Mendoza, Vice President of Education Programs at Common Sense Education.

Bismarck Public Schools has been certified as a Common Sense District since 2016. Community resources for digital citizenship are made available by BPS at www.bismarckschools.org/media.

LEGACY FINANCIAL PARTNERS EARN

AMERIPRISE CLIENT EXPERIENCE AWARD

Legacy Financial Partners, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC has earned the Ameriprise Client Experience Award for 2023.

Legacy Financial Partners was honored with this award because of their ability to consistently deliver personalized, goal-based advice and exceptional client service. Award recipients earned an overall client satisfaction rating equal to or greater than 4.9 out of 5.0 and maintained stellar business results. The award represents an elite group of Ameriprise advisors recognized as leaders for their commitment to making a difference in the lives of their clients.

Legacy Financial Partners consists of 45 financial advisors, over 50 support staff and operates out of 29 offices across the upper Midwest.

Legacy Financial Partners provides financial advice that is anchored in a solid understanding of client needs and expectations and provided in one-on-one relationships with their clients. For more information, please contact us at 1-800-411-7572 or visit their website at planwithLFP.com.

ESSENTIA HEALTH BRINGS CLINICAL TRIALS TO UNDERREPRESENTED RURAL COMMUNITIES

Essentia Health has been selected to join the prestigious STAR Clinical Research Network, which focuses on improving health across common and rare diseases, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, COVID-19, vasculitis and other conditions.

Essentia is one of only 10 health systems that comprise the research network.

Essentia was selected, in part, for its rural footprint — about 84% of our geographic service area is classified as rural. We also are a leader in clinical research and have been a top recruiter for large pragmatic clinical trials, including three led by cardiologist Dr. Catherine Benziger (ADAPTABLE, PREVENTABLEand PRECIDENTD).

“We are honored to join the STAR Clinical Research Network and engage in deeply meaningful work that improves people’s health and wellbeing,” said Kate Dean, executive director of the Essentia Institute of Rural Health (EIRH), which spearheads Essentia’s commitment to research. “This will enable Essentia to bring even more research opportunities to our patients and ensure rural communities are represented in — and thus more likely to benefit from — clinical research.”

“These opportunities are important because patients who participate in research get better care,” added Dr. Benziger. “We strive to not only advance medicine, but also to give the best care to our community. Research is an integral part of that care.”

“This allows us to extend our interests and expertise in patient-centered research that focuses on the patient voice to help guide the work we do,” said Stephen Waring, DVM, PhD, principal scientist at the EIRH.

BSC’S NATIONAL CENTER OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN CYBER DEFENSE EDUCATION DESIGNATION EXTENDED

The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Bismarck State College as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) for its Cybersecurity and Computer Networks program through the academic year 2029. The two federal organizations stated that BSC’s ability to meet the increasing demands of program criteria will serve the nation well in contributing to the protection of the National Information Infrastructure.

BSC, North Dakota’s Polytechnic Institution, initially received the five-year designation in 2019 and was just notified of its re-designation.

“This designation puts a stamp of approval on our program and shows that BSC is teaching the curriculum and supporting the opportunities and extracurricular activities that our students need to be qualified to defend the nation,” said BSC Dean of Current and Emerging Technologies Mari Volk. “Because we have this designation, BSC graduates from this program are qualified for federal jobs in the cyber field.”

The goal of the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) program is to reduce vulner ability in our national information infrastructure by pro moting higher education and research in cyber defense and producing professionals with cyber defense expertise. The CAE-CDE designation is for associate, bachelor’s, and graduate-level programs that meet the CAE-CD program’s stringent criterion.

BSC is one of the higher education leads for Governor Doug Burgum’s K-20W cyber education in North Dakota, and offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Cyber security and Computer Networks, a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Cybersecurity and Information Technolo gy and 11 certificate and industry certification programs.

“There is a critical shortage of professionals with cyberse curity skills and the national cyber strategy highlights the importance of higher education as a solution,” says Volk. “Our polytechnic education model of degrees built by stacking industry certifications is perfect for training cyber professionals at any level, whether they are traditional-age college students or industry professionals looking to ad vance their skills and career.”

In July 2018, BSC entered into an educational partnership with global cybersecurity leader Palo Alto Networks expanding the college’s cyber education programs and enabling BSC to scale online and classroom cybersecurity offerings. In Fall 2024, BSC will open its new Polytechnic Advanced Technology Center, which will include a Security Operations Center (SOC), a unique digital environment with a mission to promote and advance the digital economy.

“BSC will continue to be the leader in North Dakota, as well as nationally, for cybersecurity resources and education,” says BSC President Doug Jensen. “The student-operated SOC is designed to train students in cybersecurity, giving them a real-world, hands-on experience as security analysts and security engineers under the leadership of a SOC manager.”

HANNAH HAUFF at

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

Q: WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MY BUSINESS/BRAND BETTER CONNECT WITH CUSTOMERS?

A: Connecting with customers begins with understanding WHO they really are!

At HexaHive, we kickstart this process for our clients by doing market research to learn their customer’s needs, preferences, and pain points. With this knowledge, we’re able to help them share their brand’s story in a way that really connects with their target market.

Across the many industries we work with, we've found that people connect with people, so showcasing the real faces behind a service or product helps build the trust needed to gain that customer’s business. We do this through a professional photoshoot, putting the spotlight on the amazing people who will be working with their customers day to day. This is just the start of how we help share the true identity of our clients.

I would love to chat about how HexaHive can help you connect with your customers. Shoot me an email at hannah@hexahive.co!

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

Q: AS A BUSINESS LEADER, WHERE DO I START IF I WANT TO INCREASE MY ORGANIZATION'S VALUE, BY KEEPING ITS FUTURE GROWTH TOP OF MIND?

A: To increase your organization's value, you need to take a holistic approach. This includes evaluating your business's financial metrics, brand reputation, customer satisfaction, employee retention, and innovation. To enhance value, you must identify your strengths and weaknesses, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategic initiatives.

Continuous monitoring and adjustments are necessary to future-proof your business and make it more attractive to potential buyers and financial institutions. One way to improve profitability is by reducing costs, optimizing revenue, and increasing operational efficiency. Another way is by implementing cash management strategies like cash flow forecasting, inventory management, and credit management.

At Eide Bailly, our team of advisors offers expertise across various industries to help you achieve your goals and enhance organizational value. Visit Eidebailly.com to learn more.

JARED MACK at NOAH FROHLICH at

200 E Main Ave, Ste 101, Bismarck, ND 58501 701-319-0402

Q: HOW CAN BATTLEFIELD ACUPUNCTURE REVOLUTIONIZE PAIN MANAGEMENT FOR VETERANS AND BEYOND?

A: In North Dakota, a considerable portion of Veterans and Active Guardsmen remain unaware of non-pharmacological solutions for pain, anxiety, addiction, PTSD, and depression. NE Wellness introduces Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA), also known as ASP Auricular (ear) Semi-Permanent Acupuncture, as a practical alternative to traditional medical interventions. Developed by Colonel Dr. Niemtzow during his active duty in the United States Air Force, BFA leverages the meridian system of traditional Chinese Acupuncture. This method entails the insertion of five micro darts into various points on the ear's surface, left in place for several days until naturally expelled by the body. While some individuals experience immediate relief, others notice gradual improvements. The frequency of BFA sessions, whether weekly or monthly, is customized to individual reactions and needs. For those sensitive to nickel, we offer Gold, Silver, or Titanium options. BFA is not exclusive to military personnel; it extends its benefits to anyone seeking alternative treatments that promote relaxation, reduce stress, and relief from pain.

Costing only $20, it provides an accessible and affordable option that can be completed in less than five minutes, after your initial visit.

AMBER SCHRIOCK at

MARGO at

Q: MY IT PERSON QUIT, NOW WHAT?

A: Small businesses tend to employ a parttime IT person, or block hour rates from an IT provider, to keep costs down. If your business happens to be large enough to employ a singular person, there are some things to consider.

First, do you have written documentation about your computer network? Passwords and configurations should be accessible to specified management. Next, know where your backups are and how to access them. If your systems go down and your IT person is unavailable, you will need access to a good backup to get your business running again.

Plan for a disaster; think cyber and physical. Disasters can include flood, fire, theft, ransomware, data corruption. That backup from the previous paragraph will come in handy! Ensure that the plan is accessible and not just by your IT person. You will also need an alternative way to do business. Develop a standard onboard/offboard procedure for employees. You will want to change passwords and disable accounts, and possibly change door locks. A disgruntled ex-employee is a security breach waiting to happen. Know what your IT person has access to and how to disable it if needed.

Your IT person should be able to help you with these items. This information needs to be available to more than one person.

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

Q: CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT RADIATION TREATMENT AT THE BISMARCK CANCER CENTER AND WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN I START TREATMENT?

A: At the Bismarck Cancer Center (BCC), we provide radiation therapy, a crucial aspect of cancer care. Radiation therapy targets cancer cells and is often combined with other treatments for best results. Your radiation treatment journey begins with a meeting with your radiation oncologist to review your medical information and conduct a physical exam. The doctor will discuss your diagnosis and treatment options that may be helpful to you, as well as potential side effects and the number of treatments appropriate for you. After meeting with your doctor, a CT scan will be done in our simulation room to prepare for treatment. Our treatment planning team will then develop a plan using that CT scan. After this process is complete, you will come back to start your daily radiation sessions. Treatments last on average between 15-30 minutes each. Depending on your tumor type and stage, treatment may span one to eight weeks. Our team of radiation therapists provide high-quality care and support while administering your daily treatments. They will educate you about treatment and potential side effects along the way. Our entire team will address any questions or concerns you may have throughout your treatment journey.

Q: IS PAID DIGITAL SECURITY

A NECESSARY EXPENSE?

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

2300 Clydesdale Drive, Bismarck, ND 58503 701-258-5755

TOMANEK ACCEPTS CITY ADMINISTRATOR POSITION

Jason Tomanek has accepted the City of Bismarck’s offer to become the Administrator for the City.

Tomanek, who has served as Acting City Administrator since January 3, was one of three finalists for the position who were interviewed on February 15. He began working for the City in 2006 as a Planner in the Community Development department and became Assistant City Administrator in 2016.

Tomanek succeeds Keith Hunke, who retired at the beginning of 2024. The City Administrator is one of three appointed positions within the structure of the City of Bismarck organization. Directors for the City’s 15 departments report to the City Administrator, as the Administrator provides overall leadership for the City of Bismarck’s nearly 900 employees.

With Tomanek vacating the Assistant City Administrator position, a search is expected to begin in the coming weeks for the third-ever person to hold that position.

CAPITAL CREDIT UNION PROMOTES HOLZER

Leanne Holzer was recently promoted to vice president of operations at Capital Credit Union’s Main Office in Bismarck. She has also joined the credit union’s Senior Management Team.

As vice president of operations, Holzer is responsible for the management and oversight of all operations pertaining to business, consumer and mortgage loans, as well as the credit union’s Electronic Services Department.

Holzer was born and raised in Bismarck and attended Bismarck State College. She has been with Capital Credit Union for 42 years, most recently as loan operations manager at the Main Office. Holzer and her husband, Keith, live in Bismarck.

DCN’S RASMUSSEN EARNS CERTIFICATIONS

Branden Rasmussen, cloud services specialist at Dakota Carrier Network (DCN), recently earned two certifications from CompTIA, reflecting a commitment to providing top-notch cloud services and ensuring the security and integrity of the systems for DCN customers.

Rasmussen earned certification in Security+ as well as Secure Infrastructure Specialist. Security+ is a globally recognized certification that covers topics including network security, cryptography, identity management, and risk management. The Secure Infrastructure Specialist certification showcases expertise in securing complex and dynamic IT infrastructures. CompTIA is the largest vendor-neutral credentialing program for technology professionals.

Rasmussen holds numerous other industry certifications including VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization 2023, Veeam Certified Engineer, and numerous Microsoft certifications.

PATRICK LEE JOINS KLJ

KLJ Engineering LLC (KLJ), is pleased to welcome Patrick Lee to our Pierre, S.D. office. Lee joins our team as an Engineering Technician within our construction services team. He has more than 30 years of construction and equipment experience. He has a strong work history of improving processes with the capability to adapt to an ever-changing environment as well as knowledge of 30 C.F.R regulations and current certifications.

Lee is AC certified in road inspection, aggregate, hot mix, and field testing. As well as certified in aggregates, concrete paving and plants, earthwork, erosion and sediment, soils and structures. KLJ is excited to welcome Lee to the firm and look forward to his contributions to the company's continued success.

DAKOTA APPRAISAL & CONSULTING, LTD. APPRAISER EARNS CERTIFICATION

Jeni Bergquist, real estate appraiser, has recently earned her certified residential appraiser license. Bergquist focuses on residential appraisals in the Bismarck/Mandan area and specializes in high-end and complex properties. Appraisers holding the certified residential appraiser credential have met rigorous requirements relating to education, experience, testing, and work product review.

Bergquist has a background in real estate sales and joined Dakota Appraisal in 2020. Creditors rely on her value opinions in their lending decisions. Sellers gain confidence that they aren't leaving money on the table when marketing their properties through her pre-listing appraisals. Buyers put their trust in her valuations when making purchase decisions. As an unbiased third party, Bergquist's appraisals can also assist in estate settlement, division of marital property, tax appeals, real estate gifting tax filings, and establishment of just compensation due to public projects.

SKJERET PROMOTED TO PRESIDENT AT QUALITY TITLE, INC.

Since joining us in 2016, Karli Skjeret has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the Quality Title Team. Karli started out as an Escrow Closing Agent and quickly advanced to the role of Marketing Director, where she played a pivotal role in enhancing our brand and client engagement strategies. Her leadership skills and insight were further evident during her time as Office Manager, as she contributed to our organizational efficiency and fostering a positive workplace culture for our team. A hallmark of Karli’s career with us has been the active role she played in opening our second Quality Title office in 2017, located in her hometown of Jamestown, ND.

As President, Karli is excited to lead Quality Title Inc. into a promising future. Her proven history of integrity, strategic vision, and commitment to excellence aligns perfectly with our company's core values and goals. I am confident in her ability to steer our team towards new heights of success, ensuring that we continue to provide our clients with the highest possible standards of service and professionalism.

Jason Tomanek

Branden Rasmussen

Patrick Lee

Leanne Holzer

Jeni Bergquist

AMANDA MEIER HIRED AS BPS LEARNING DESIGN AND INNOVATION DIRECTOR

Amanda Meier has been hired as the firstever Learning Design and Innovation (LDI) Director for Bismarck Public Schools. The LDI Director position is a newly created role intended to focus on directing learning, designing systems, and promoting innovation in furtherance of the district’s Mission of empowering every learner to thrive.

Meier comes to BPS with a wealth of experience as an educator. She began her career as a teacher in Phoenix, Arizona where she was named 2014 Arizona Rodel Aspiring Principal of the Year. Meier has been a school leader in North Dakota for the past nine years, most recently serving as the principal of Lewis and Clark Elementary School in Mandan. She was recently recognized as Principal of the Year by the North Dakota Association of Elementary Principals for her work at Lewis and Clark.

LARSON AND DRESSLER JOIN LOCAL OFFICE OF AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL

Alexis Larson has joined the Bismarck office of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC as a Financial Advisor and EmaLee Dressler has joined as a Client Service Coordinator. They are joining Legacy Financial Partners, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Their office is located at 125 Buckskin Ave.

Larson has seven years of experience in the financial services industry and Dressler has three.

HULLET ACCEPTS DICK LOUGHLIN INTERNATIONAL HALL OF FAME AWARD

Amy Hullet with Century 21 Morrison was chosen out of over 135,000 other independent sales professionals within Century 21® to receive the Dick Loughlin International Hall of Fame Award in March.

Amy exemplifies excellence in every aspect of her work. Her unwavering dedication, outstanding service to others, and tireless efforts make her truly deserving of this award. She has not only achieved remarkable success but has also inspired those around her. She is passionate about being involved in her community and gives back in countless ways.

APRIL LIVE GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

Mon, 15th 10:00 am Met. Planning Org. – Tech Advisory Cmte. 5:00 pm Burleigh County Commission * 5:30 pm Mandan School Board

Assessor

City Commission * 7:00 pm Mandan City Commission Board of Equalization * Mon, 8th 5:30 pm Mandan Park District Board

Tues, 9th 5:15 pm Bismarck City Commission *

Wed, 10th 8:00 am Burleigh Water Resource District 5:15 pm Burleigh Planning & Zoning *

Tues, 16th 1:30 pm Met. Planning Org. – Policy Board 5:30 pm Mandan City Commission *

Wed, 17th 3:00 pm Bismarck Historic Preservation

Thurs, 18th 5:15 pm Bismarck Park District Board

Mon, 22nd 5:15 pm Bismarck School Board 5:30 pm Mandan Planning & Zoning

Tues, 23rd 5:15 pm Bismarck City Commission *

Wed, 24th 5:00 pm Bismarck Planning & Zoning *

Amanda Meier

Alexis Larson

Emalee Dressler

Amy Hullet

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

RAYMA TEAM

Celebrates the grand opening of their new office location on E Rosser Ave in Bismarck. 701-516-8323. Member.

EDGEWOOD MANDAN

Celebrates their 10th anniversary at their location on 39th Ave in SE Mandan. Phone: 701-663-5664. Member.

LAKEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Celebrates the grand opening of their new elementary school on 38th Ave in SE in Mandan. Phone: 701-751-6509. Member.

SUN TO SOUP

Heaven's Helpers Soup Cafe celebrates their recent solar panel installation organized by the LBM Class of 2023. 701-751-7687. Member.

FUR & FEATHERS PET CARE

Celebrates their new business and recent membership with the Chamber EDC. Phone: 701-214-9188. Member.

PRO MARINE

Celebrates the grand opening of their new location on 2702 Morrison Ave in Bismarck. Phone: 701-751-9911. Member.

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

DAKOTA HOME CARE

Celebrates the grand opening of their new office location on 300 W Century Ave, Studio B in Bismarck. Phone: 701-663-5373. Member.

MANDAN MEMORIAL

Celebrates the grand re-opening of their new location on 502 W Main Street in Mandan. Phone: 701-751-3293. Member.

Does your business rely on the internet?

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Since 1996, Dakota Carrier Network has been a dedicated internet provider, guaranteeing 99.999% uptime. As part of your team, we’re here when you need us.

Want to learn more? Call us at 800-814-3333 or drop us a note at dakotacarrier.com/bmcedc.

APRIL MEMBERSHIP ANNIVERSARIES

65 YEARS

Eide Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

60 YEARS

Wheeler Wolf Law Firm, LLP

45 YEARS

United Tribes Technical College

40 YEARS

Oaktree Realtors

30 YEARS

Miller Insulation, Inc.

25 YEARS

Mandan Municipal Golf Course

20 YEARS

Security First Bank of North Dakota - Bismarck

15 YEARS

Bar Bee Carpet Cleaning

10 YEARS

Golf Etc.

5 YEARS

Beyond the Blooms, John Mongeon

1 YEAR

701 Dental, American Solutions for Business, Bowers Excavating LLC, Brosz Engineering, Dakota Nuts-N-Candy LLC, Edward Jones - Candace Blazek, Eide Ford - Mandan, Healthcare Partners Staffing Inc, Merch Lab, Studio 180 Dance Company, The Wellness Way - Bismarck, Tosha Rochelle Photography, Tracy's Sanctuary House, Wegner Roofing & Solar

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

New York Life & NYLIFE Securities LLC

Bismarck, ND 58503 (701) 426-6654

Douglas Krueger

Financial Services Professional with NYLIFE Securities LLC. Helping families, job changers and business owners with custom tailored solutions to create, build and preserve wealth.

Canticle Productions

Bismarck, ND 58504 (701) 520-5437

Daniel Bielinski

Film Production Company

PREVENT CHILD ABUSE ND

418 E Broadway Ave, Ste 250 Bismarck, ND 58501 (701) 223-9052

We are dedicated to strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect in North Dakota. We are a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization and a chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America.

Credit Bureau of Bismarck Inc.

2021 E Main Ave

Bismarck, ND 58501 (701) 223-7730

Marcie Schulz

Accounts Receivable Collection

Gun Dog House Door Inc.

13835 34th Street NW

Bismarck, ND 58503 (701) 354-7700

Marice Schulz

Dog doors for residential homes and businesses, elevated kennels, heat pads

Roshau Chiropractic and Rejuv Wellness

1715 Burnt Boat Drive

BIsmarck, ND 58503 (701) 221-2600

GOS Enterprises

3701 42nd Street NW Mandan, ND 58554 (701) 946-2619

Pierre Bouwer

Gutter Guards (Leaf filter), Seamless gutters, Gutter repairs and cleaning

Dignity Home Care

721 Memorial Hwy

Bismarck, ND 58504 (701) 498-8608

Jethro Jones

Dignity Home Care is an In-home service provider committed to delivering non-medical care to seniors and individuals with disabilities within the comfort of their homes.

Stifel- Chris Rivinius

1400 W Century Ave BIsmarck, ND 58503 (701) 530-1146

Chris Rivinius

Comprehensive wealth management services including: investments, financial/retirement/estate planning, life & disability insurance, employer sponsored retirement plans, IRAs, rollovers, and more.

Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC Connection

1640 Burnt Boat Drive

Bismarck, ND 58503

UPCOMING CHAMBER EDC EVENTS

CHAMBER EDC ANNUAL DINNER

Date: Thursday, April 18, 2024

Check-in/ Social: 5:30pm - 7:00pm • Event Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: Bismarck Event Center, Hall B (Door E42) – 315 S 5th Street, Bismarck

LEADERSHIP BISMARCK-MANDAN FIELD PROJECT PRESENTATIONS

Date: Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm

Location: Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC – 1640 Burnt Boat Drive, Bismarck

MAY MEMBERSHIP MIXER: MCQUADE DISTRIBUTING

Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm

Location: McQuade Distributing – 1150 Industrial Drive, Bismarck

LEADERSHIP BISMARCK-MANDAN GRADUATION

Date: Thursday, May 16, 2024

Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Location: Chick’s Place, University of Mary – 7500 University Drive, Bismarck

LEMONADE DAY KICK-OFF

Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Time: 3:00pm - 6:00pm

Location: Dakota Zoo - 602 Riverside Park Road, Bismarck