Governor's Military Ball honors the service and sacrifices of military members and their families
On Saturday evening, the Governor's Office in collaboration with the North Dakota National Guard hosted the annual Governor's Military Ball to celebrate North Dakota's soldiers and airmen and their families and honor their service and sacrifice.
Held at the Fargo Air Museum, the event celebrates and shares military traditions, recognizes exceptional service members with awards and honors service members and their families.
Winning prints from 2022-2024 Governor's Photo Contests on display on the 18th floor of the Capitol
Utilizing North Dakota Council on the Arts' (NDCA) exhibit space on the 18th floor of the State Capitol through May 2024, NDCA and North Dakota Tourism are displaying prints of the winning photographs from the 2022 and 2023-2024 Governor's Photo Contests.
Launched in 2004, the semi-annual contest celebrates the talents of North Dakota photographers and showcases the state as a year-round destination. In addition to garnering a monetary prize, winning photographs may be used in North Dakota Tourism’s newsletters, promotional materials and social channels as well as AAA publications and social media channels. AAA has been a proud sponsor of the Governor’s Photo contest for the past 15 years providing prizes and exposure for winning photographers.
Go online to learn more and see a preview of winning photographs from the 2022 Governor's Photo Contest and the 2023-2024 Governor's Photo Contest.
Housing Finance Agency receives $5.1M grant to address affordable housing
The state Industrial Commission announced this week that the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) has received a $5.1 million grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) Des Moines Member Impact Fund. Included in the $5.1 million is a $1.28 million match funded from Bank of North Dakota capital.
The grant funds will increase the impact of existing NDHFA-administered programs to ensure the availability of housing for low- to moderate-wage workers, the state’s aging population, individuals with disabilities and persons at-risk of homelessness.
“Affordable housing is a key component of economic development,” said members of the Industrial Commission in a joint statement. The Commission, comprised of Gov. Burgum as chairman, Attorney General Drew Wrigley, and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, oversees NDHFA and BND. “It plays a critical role in attracting workforce talent and is one of the highest priorities of people moving to our state.”
FHLB Des Moines provides funding solutions and liquidity to more than 1,200 financial institution members to support mortgage lending, economic development and affordable housing in the communities they serve. The Member Impact Fund provides $3 for every $1 of an eligible FHLB Des Moines member's grant donation to strengthen the ability of not-for-profits or government entities to serve the affordable housing or community development needs of their communities.
“The availability of affordable housing continues to be a long-standing challenge,” said Dave Flohr, NDHFA executive director. “Through addressing the housing needs of our most vulnerable residents, we strengthen and stabilize North Dakota communities.”
The Member Impact Fund is just one-way FHLB Des Moines enables its members to connect directly with local organizations who matter to them, creating value and a lasting impact in their own communities,” said Kris Williams, president and CEO of FHLB Des Moines. “The commitment of members like BND, and their connections to organizations like NDHFA help advance the positive work being done in North Dakota communities”.
“We were able to increase the impact of state dollars three-fold by providing the matching funds for the FHLB Member Impact Fund,” stated Todd Steinwand, BND president. “Rather than creating a new grant funding mechanism, it made good sense to partner with NDHFA so they could serve more people through their established programs.”
Award recipients were selected by FHLB based on the need for grant funding that will be used to strengthen an organization’s ability to serve affordable housing or community development needs, including training, predevelopment assistance, management information systems or software, strategic planning, market study or community needs assessment, expansion of program capacity, and working capital.
Burgum thanks General Counsel Ryan Norrell for service after he announces return to private sector
Labor Commissioner Nathan Svihovec to serve as interim general counsel while continuing to lead Department of Labor and Human Rights
On Monday, Gov. Burgum thanked Governor’s Office General Counsel Ryan Norrell for his service to the state of North Dakota after Norrell announced he is resigning effective June 17 to return to the private sector. Burgum also announced state Labor Commissioner Nathan Svihovec will serve as interim general counsel while he continues to lead the Department of Labor and Human Rights.
Norrell has served as general counsel for the Governor’s Office since Feb. 28, 2022. He previously served as legal counsel for the North Dakota Public Service Commission and as state’s attorney for LaMoure County. Before joining the Governor’s Office, he most recently had served as general counsel for Farm Credit Services of Mandan.
“Ryan has been a key resource on the Governor’s Office team these past two years, providing valuable legal advice and representation on a broad range of issues including numerous judicial appointments, tribal gaming compacts, complex legislation, energy policy and pushing back against federal overreach,” Burgum said. “We are deeply grateful for his service and wish him all the best in his return to the private sector. We also appreciate Nathan’s willingness to take on the role of interim general counsel while ensuring that the Department of Labor and Human Rights continues to educate and enforce the laws that protect North Dakotans.”
“I am deeply grateful for the trust and support you have extended to me during my tenure in this position. Serving alongside you and the remarkable team you have cultivated has been the pinnacle of my career,” Norrell stated in his resignation letter to Burgum. “Under your leadership, we have achieved significant milestones and worked tirelessly towards enhancing the well-being of all citizens of our great state while fostering an environment of growth, excellence and innovation. As I transition into this new chapter of my career, I remain confident in the capabilities of the Governor’s Office and state team members to continue the impactful work we have embarked upon, and I am privileged to have been part of such a dynamic administration.”
Svihovec was appointed labor commissioner in December 2022. He earned his law degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law and previously served as an assistant attorney general for the North Dakota Office of Attorney General from 2017 to 2020 and as an attorney for a Bismarck-based law firm. He also served in the North Dakota National Guard from 2008 to 2016, achieving the rank of sergeant and being named North Dakota Soldier of the Year in 2009.
Community partners to celebrate Lewis & Clark State Park’s Golden Anniversary
Lewis and Clark State Park marks its 50th anniversary with a year-long celebration, made possible by the generosity of its community. The park has served as an outdoor haven in northwest North Dakota for recreation, education, and family fun for half a century.
Williams County and the City of Williston’s Convention and Visitors Bureau have joined in the celebration with generous monetary contributions to help the park bring unique and memorable events to its visitors. In addition, many local businesses are donating monetarily, or giving supplies and food to support the events. Employees of local businesses have also committed to volunteering of their time. A list of those supporting the anniversary celebration in these additional ways can be found below.
Monthly events to commemorate this golden anniversary, from themed hikes and educational programs to fishing tournaments and a dino dig, offer a variety of ways for people to connect with the park and create lasting memories.
“We sincerely value our partnerships within the Williams County area and with this support we aim to make our anniversary year an amazing one,” says Park Manager for Lewis and Clark State Park, Katie Ogden. “We are excited to celebrate this milestone with a series of events throughout the year that will showcase the park’s natural beauty, rich history, and the vital role it plays in our community.”
Visitors can further enhance their experience at the park with a hike along the Coteau trail with its new boardwalk for an up-close look at wetland animals, or make use of convenient on-site rental equipment, including kayaks, canoes and paddleboards.
Lewis and Clark State Park is still accepting donations to enhance the 50th Anniversary celebration for visitors. The park is also seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help with various tasks during the events to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all. To discuss these ongoing opportunities, contact lcsp@nd.gov.
For more information about Lewis and Clark State Park and the 50th anniversary events, follow the park on social media at www.facebook.com/prdlcsp.
In addition to Williams County and Williston’s CVB, the park received contributions from Williston Community Builders, Williston API, Santanen Oilfield Services, Williston STAR Fund, Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative, Basin Electric, Epping Rural Fire Department, ND Fishing Tournaments LLC, Cashwise Foods, OK Distributing, Cloverdale, Connect Us Therapy, Milestone Health Partners, and Coca-Cola Williston.
The mission of the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department is to enrich generations through experiences that connect people and places.
Nominations are open for the 2024 #InnovativeND Awards
The #InnovativeND Awards will be presented during the 2024 Governor's Summit on Innovative Education on June 17 at Bismarck State College in the following categories:
- Frontline Innovation – recognizes innovative approaches in the classroom.
- Collaborative Culture – recognizes efforts that reach across subjects and classrooms.
- System Transformation – recognizes innovations in the educational system that will have a fundamental impact on how students learn.
- Student Leadership – recognizes students who are advancing innovative education through leadership inside and outside the classroom.
- Pathways Innovation – recognizes efforts to provide learners with new and exciting opportunities to explore career paths.
To nominate an educator, school, district or student for an award, visit the nomination page: