Community Options

Community Options has been a member since 2004.

Bryan Wetch

COMMUNITY OPTIONS

Tell us about yourself and your role within your business.

A: My name is Bryan Wetch, and I am the CEO of Community Options, Inc. Born and raised in the Bismarck area, I have lived in North Dakota for most of my life, other than when I lived in Missouri for five years, working as an Executive Director of a nonprofit in the St. Louis area. I have been married to my wife, Lisa, for the last 30 years and we have three children – Brandon, Tara, and Lauren. I have worked in the field of developmental disabilities since 1981, most of those years working for nonprofit organizations in ND and Missouri. I founded Community Options in 1997 and have served as the President and CEO for the past 25 years.

MEMBER SINCE 2004

Briefly tell us the history behind the Community Options.

A: Community Options began in July of 1997. My vision was to create an organization that supported people’s dreams of living a lifestyle of their choice. Our services were driven and directed by each person, while at the same time, surrounding them with a team or individuals who would carry our the support plan to achieve their dreams. We began providing emplacement and residential services to people who had developmental disabilities. These services included independent living supports in their homes & apartments, assistance in finding and keeping employment, and in-home supports to families who have children with disabilities. In 2000, we expanded our services to Dickinson, Devils Lake, and shortly thereafter, Jamestown. Today, we provide services across the entire state, with officers in Bismarck, Dickinson, Williston, Minot, Devil’s Lake, Grand Forks, Fargo, Jamestown, Fort Yates, New Town, and Fort Totten. Community Options has around 450 employees statewide and provides services to 1200 people. Our services are for people with developmental disabilities, elderly, low-income single parents, people who are recovering from a brain injury, and those who have mental health challenges along with substance abuse issues.

How has the growth of Bismarck-Mandan impacted the Community Options?

A: Growth within Bismarck-Mandan has had positive effects on our company in many ways. The construction of new apartment buildings has afforded more choices for people we support, while at the same time, rising rents have been a challenge for most people we support, due to their fixed incomes. Bismarck-Mandan’s rising population on one hand, has helped meet our growing need for more employees; however, competition in Bismarck is high for those employees, making recruits and retention a challenge.

What trends are taking place in your industry?

A: The trends in our industry are definitely moving towards providing services within individualized community settings, rather than in-group setting such as group homes and center-based large group services. Over the next several years, the push will come from state and federal funding agencies to more individualized services utilizing community settings.

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

A: The monumental change that I’ve dealt with was the de-institutionalization of the state institution in Grafton. New agencies began, so group homes & workshops were built to accommodate those needs. The entire service delivery system changed and had to accommodate the movement of well over a thousand individuals into services in communities all of North Dakota.

What does the future of the Community Options look like, and the industry as a whole look like to you?

A: I believe the future is bright for Community Options, as well as our industry. As funding challenges loom, we will have to continually re-tool in order to meet the needs of people, while doing so as efficiently as we can, in light of reductions in funding. We will always continue to diversify our services, keeping us competitive in the market place.

Community Options became a member in 2004, why do you continue to renew each year?

A: Being a member of the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC gives us such a great opportunity to network with other local businesses, which increases our exposure and opportunities for us to find employment for the people we support.

What should other Chamber EDC members know about the Community Options that may assist them?

A: We support hundreds of people in the BismarckMandan area that are looking for work! We can be a rich resource for local businesses in meeting their employment needs. Give us a call at 701-223-2417 to learn more.

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CHAMBER EDC ENERGY COMMITTEE CONTINUES WORK

The Chamber EDC’s Energy sub-committee continues to meet to determine what, if any, role the organization has in the region’s energy industry. With a large percentage of employees at area power plants and mines coming from the Bismarck Mandan area and even more supporting the local economy it is clear that the energy industry has a significant economic impact on Bismarck Mandan. The committee has identified three priority areas: first, understanding and promoting the economic impact of the energy industry on the region’s economy, second, ensuring, if necessary, any workforce transition can be done smoothly and effectively, and third, determining what areas the Chamber EDC’s business attraction efforts can assist in diversifying the area energy industry. The committee is made up of industry representatives from around Bismarck Mandan.

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OF THE MONTH: CHILDCARE LOAN/ GRANT PROGRAM

The North Dakota Development Fund administers a financial assistance program aimed at helping childcare providers throughout North Dakota. Eligible Organizations include licensed profit, nonprofit and public childcare facilities. Faith-based organizations are eligible but must follow all appropriate federal guidelines if receiving federal subsidies. The loan can be up to $100,000 and be used for the acquiring, leasing or remodeling of real estate facilities, purchasing equipment or working capital.

The ND Department of Human Services, Early Childhood Division, is using funding streams to support the health and sustainability of North Dakota’s childcare sector. The grant opportunities available to the state’s early childhood community will help address operating and facility costs and will support greater access and quality.

For more information on either of these programs contact Nathan at the Chamber EDC office.

SEPTEMBER 2021 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Sales Tax Collected $2,916,562

Airport Passengers

35,778

ECONOMY

Residential Building Permits

40

Residential Permit Valuation

$8,340,253

Month-over-month increase Month-over-month increase

See the full list of economic indicators on the Chamber EDC’s Economy at a Glance at www.bismarckmandanedc.com.

BEARCAT DEN DAYCARE RECEIVES ASSISTANCE

The Bearcat Den Daycare in Hebron received a commitment of $25,000 from the Morton County Development Fund. The city of Hebron was recently left without a childcare facility after the only provider in town retired. This prompted a group of citizens to come together and bring the idea of Bearcat Den Daycare to fruition. The daycare, which is located next to the school in Hebron, currently provides care for about 12 children and will add more in early November. The funding will be a share of the overall financing package for Bearcat Den. To learn more about the Morton County Development Fund contact the Chamber EDC office.

CHAMBER EDC STAFF ATTENDS EDND CONFERENCE

Staff from the Chamber EDC attended the Fall Conference for the Economic Development Association of North Dakota (EDND) in October. The topics from the one-day conference included project management, international trade, economic development tools, and federal infrastructure legislation. The conference, held in West Fargo, was done in partnership with the Governor’s Main Street Summit held the day before. During the conference Chamber EDC Vice President Nathan Schneider was re-appointed to serve on the EDND Board of Directors and City of Mandan’s Business Development & Communications Director was recognized as she served out her final term as Past-President.