Burgum issues executive order rebranding Task Force MIND as North Dakota Military Commission
Gov. Doug Burgum issued an executive order rebranding the Task Force for Military Issues in North Dakota (TF MIND) as the North Dakota Military Commission.
Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller, who chairs TF MIND and will continue to chair the group as the North Dakota Military Commission, made the announcement at the annual TF MIND Summit at Camp Grafton near Devils Lake on Wednesday.
“The North Dakota Military Commission is a simple, powerful and easily recognizable name that better conveys the importance and permanence of this group’s work and its goal of helping North Dakota become the most military friendly state in the nation,” Miller said. “We look forward to building on the success of the task force in developing strategies and policies that support our military bases and the men and women in uniform who proudly serve our country and state.”
As the North Dakota Military Commission, the group’s makeup and mission will remain the same. Miller also highlighted the creation of a military-friendly working group within the North Dakota National Guard, first announced by Burgum in his State of the State address in January, to support the North Dakota Military Commission in developing proposals related to health care, child care, occupational licensure and other issues affecting active duty military members, veterans and their families.
Local youth help break ground on newest state park at Pembina Gorge, highlighting generational investment
Local youth joined the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department (NDPRD), Governor’s Office and others to celebrate a historic milestone Friday at the official groundbreaking ceremony for Pembina Gorge State Park.
As North Dakota’s 14th state park, the newest since 1989, Pembina Gorge State Park marks a significant investment into the state’s outdoor recreation. Local children shared their excitement for the future opportunities they will be able to share with generations to come.
The project will include underground utilities, roads, an approximately 55-site campground, six all-season full-service cabins, a comfort station and a shop. Future developments may include a visitor center with indoor and outdoor learning areas and retail and office space.
"Pembina Gorge State Park is a generational investment into one of our state’s most beautiful areas. By adding campsites and elevating Pembina Gorge from a state recreation area to our 14th state park, we will attract additional visitors and provide more opportunities for individuals and families from North Dakota and beyond to experience all that this unique area has to offer," Gov. Burgum said. “This project is an opportunity to enhance outdoor recreation, tourism and economic development while helping us recruit and retain much-needed workforce.”
Outdoor recreation is a primary driver of tourism and a significant contributor to North Dakota’s economy, accounting for nearly $1.4 billion in economic activity, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. In 2020, state park visitation alone contributed $154 million to the state’s economy. By adding overnight accommodations and destination property amenities, per-person visitor spending is expected to grow substantially, improving the region’s tourism and economic development.
“Beginning construction on Pembina Gorge State Park is incredibly exciting, and we aim to develop a year-round destination drawing visitors in every season,” said Cody Schulz, NDPRD Director. “The Gorge is already a must-see gem with its extensive trail system and stunning scenery. This park is about blazing new trails with, and for, the next generation.”
“I was lucky to grow up in a state park because my dad was the manager at Icelandic State Park,” said 18 year old and two-time Junior Iditarod finisher Eva Robinson from Cavalier. “Those experiences really shaped my values and passion - I am excited that a whole new generation can have experiences like I did at this new state park.”
The Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area (PGSRA) opened to the public in 2012 and has since expanded its trail system to include over 30 miles of trails for hiking, equestrian, and OHV use, as well as a parking area and vault facilities at the trailhead. In 2017, NDPRD secured an additional 165 acres near the recreation area for future development.
The 2023 Legislature approved $6 million for the new park facilities, with an additional $2 million coming from a matching federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant. Burgum had recommended funding for the Pembina Gorge campground project in his executive budget proposal in December 2022.
The establishment of Pembina Gorge State Park continues the state’s tradition of preserving and enhancing its natural landscapes for public enjoyment and economic growth.
Burgum issues statement in observance of Memorial Day
On Monday, Gov. Burgum attended the Memorial Day ceremony at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, 6.5 miles south of Mandan on North Dakota Highway 1806. The annual event, hosted by the North Dakota National Guard, honors all deceased American servicemen and women and is free to the public. The first observance was held in 1993.
“On Memorial Day – and every day – we are eternally grateful for those brave and selfless Americans who dedicated their lives to defending our country and our freedoms, securing peace through strength. We must never forget or take for granted these fallen heroes who fought and died for the liberty we enjoy today as United States citizens,” Burgum said. “We also pay tribute and reaffirm our commitment to the veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who need our ongoing support, the men and women in uniform defending our nation and freedoms at home and abroad, and the Gold Star families still enduring the loss of loved ones.”
Additionally, Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller spoke at the Memorial Day ceremony at the Fargo National Cemetery.
Bank of North Dakota releases 2023 Annual Report
The state-owned Bank of North Dakota (BND) reported total assets of $10.1 billion at year-end 2023, consistent with the previous year. With record profits of $192.7 million, an increase of $1.5 million from 2022, the Bank also had an excellent return on investment of 18.2%. BND’s profits are utilized to support loan participations with partner financial institutions and to support disaster recovery programs. Profits may also be used to support legislatively directed loan programs and capital transfers to the general fund as needed. Excess earnings are retained and accumulated to fund capital.
Standard & Poor’s (S&P) affirmed the Bank’s credit rating as A+/Stable in its annual review released toward the end of 2023.
This year, the Bank originated and renewed 10,734 loans for more than $2.5 billion, bringing the amount of the total lending portfolio to $5.8 billion, a new record for BND. The total portfolio increased by $394 million from last year. BND delivers both agriculture and commercial loans through 72 different financial institutions and their 218 branch offices. Included in these loan numbers are the ranchers who were assisted through the Livestock Rebuilders Loan. The program helped replenish approximately 16,000 head of cattle lost in the state due to the 2021 drought.
In addition to these portfolios, BND administers more than $1 billion in legislative-directed loan programs, including school construction, state infrastructure, water projects and disaster recovery.
“Bank of North Dakota works closely with local lenders to ensure its programs are relevant and impactful,” said members of the Commission in a joint statement. The Commission, consisting of Gov. Burgum as chairman, Attorney General Drew Wrigley, and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, oversees BND. “This attention to local needs is one of the reasons for the Bank’s success.”
This year’s annual report theme, “Salute to the Past. Addressing the Future.” highlights the Bank’s support for the agriculture industry, a foundational pillar of the state’s economy, since opening its doors in 1919. It also shares how staff focused on improving systems to create better workflows for many Bank functions, including loan application and processing, that increase efficiencies and help accommodate an increased workload.
“This year was an interesting year for our financial institution partners with a wide range of liquidity needs,” stated Todd Steinwand, BND president. “It is our partnership with them that makes this institution so unique.”
Complete copies of the 2023 Annual Report are available at www.bnd.nd.gov.
Registration now open for sixth Strengthening Government to Government (G2G) Conference
Free event scheduled for June 25-26 at Bismarck Event Center
Registration is now open for the sixth Strengthening Government to Government (G2G) Conference June 25-26 at the Bismarck Event Center.
The two-day conference brings together tribal leaders and elders, state agency leaders and staff, statewide elected officials, local leaders, federal officials and legislators and is hosted by the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission office, led by Executive Director Brad Hawk. Burgum is expected to deliver remarks June 25.
Topics for this year’s conference will include tribal tourism, food sovereignty, autonomy and AI, workforce, tribal health, cybersecurity, behavioral health, law enforcement, missing and murdered indigenous persons, and youth leadership.
Tribal leaders also will give updates from the five tribal nations with whom North Dakota shares geography: the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, Spirit Lake Nation and Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate.
The conference is free and open to the public. To register, visit the Indian Affairs Commission link below.
Registration is now open for the North Dakota Digital Government Summit
The Digital Government Summit brings together technology-focused, public-sector professionals with leading industry partners to connect on innovative approaches, get inspired and discover new technologies.
Join us and let’s improve the future of government together!