|
McKenzie County is #2 for highest wages in state
Western North Dakota has the highest average annual wages in the state, with McKenzie County coming in with the second highest for 2021. Oliver County has the highest at $81,569 and McKenzie County came in at second highest at $77,189. Williams, Mercer and Dunn Counties round out the top five. The 2021 North Dakota average annual wage is $56,851. Find more information at Job Service North Dakota's QCEW wage information page.
| |
|
2021 McKenzie County sales rebounds
McKenzie County's 2021 taxable sales and purchases came in at $242.8 million according to the North Dakota State Tax Department. That represents a 6.9% rebound from the 2020 calendar year, but still behind the highs of 2018 and 2019. For more information visit the ND Tax Department data page.
| |
|
May economy at a glance
The May Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include:
- McKenzie County's labor force inched up--from 8,616 in February 2022 to 8,659 in March 2022.
- WTI price of oil per barrel jumped considerably--from $91.64 in February 2022 to $108.50 in March 2022.
- Watford City's year to date city sales tax distributions for 2022 is at $1,290,505; for the same time period in 2021 it was $1,079,503.
| |
|
Outreach to our Spanish speakers
¿Hablas Español? As our county welcomes people from throughout our state, nation and world to become members of our workforce and community, not everyone who comes knows how to read English. As the recent Census data shows, there has been a 1000% percent increase in the Hispanic population of McKenzie County since 2010. In an effort to help integrate newcomers who only read Spanish, an effort is underway to provide information about current community events written in Spanish. To stay abreast visit the Hispanic Advocacy of North Dakota Facebook page.
| |
|
Food truck rodeo
The first-ever Watford City Food Truck Rodeo is coming to McKenzie County. 701 Food Trucks will be bringing 10 mobile food vendors, non-food vendors, a cash bar and family fun. This will be held June 3-5, 2022 at the current McKenzie County Fairgrounds in Watford City.
| |
|
Greater North Dakota Chamber Roundtable
The Greater North Dakota Chamber will be hosting a Business Roundtable in Watford City on June 22 focused on quality of place. Speakers include representatives from ONEOK, DLN Consulting and more. In a world where people choose their communities before selecting their employers, quality of life matters. Citizens expect their communities to provide aspects of health and well-being, which creates the feeling of belonging and a sense of home. This is a conscious approach to economic development that goes beyond brick and mortar. Find more information and how to register here.
| |
|
Statewide virtual job fair
One hundred employers representing a variety of different industries will be online to meet prospective employees from North Dakota and across the United States at the Statewide Virtual Multi-Industry Job Fair sponsored by Job Service North Dakota. This virtual event will run from 11am-2pm on Thursday, May 19. Learn more and register here.
| |
|
Pick up the patch
Gather your coworkers, friends, family and neighbors and help clean up the ditches in our community! The annual Pick up the patch outdoor cleaning event will run May 22-28. Supplies for the event will be available at the McKenzie County Sherriff's Office beginning May 16. Learn more here.
| |
|
Primary elections
The June 14 primary election is fast approaching. Polls will be open from 9am-7pm. Mail-in ballots and absentee ballots are also an option. Voters will be asked to choose up to two of the five names for County Commission including: Dustin Newman, Howdy Lawlar, Kathy Skarda, Thomas McCabe and Tommy Glover. The top four vote-getters will have their names on the November 2022 ballot. For more information and to see what other items will be on the ballot visit www.vote.nd.gov.
| |
|
County Fair
Old-fashioned family fun will be back when the McKenzie County Fair runs June 16-18. Entertainment includes rodeos, carnival, 4H exhibits, livestock shows, food and much more.
This is the last year that it is planned to be in its current location. A new McKenzie County Ag Expo west of Watford City is currently under construction. The hope is for it to be ready to host the 2023 McKenzie County Fair.
| |
|
ConocoPhillips gives back
Thirteen organizations in North Dakota recently received a total of $120,000 in donations from ConocoPhillips. Local entities include Watford City Police Department, Keene Fire Department, Benefit Fund of McKenzie County Healthcare Systems. This follows upon the recent $100,000 contribution that ConocoPhillips provided to the McKenzie County Public School District towards the Bakken Area Skills Center project. For more information see this press release.
| |
|
Rising Leadership of North Dakota
Students entering 9-12 grade are invited to consider attending the 2022 Rising Leadership North Dakota Conference at the University of Mary running June 12-15, 2022. The conference includes keynote speakers, business tours and career fair. Learn more here.
| |
|
Combatting human trafficking event
The Second Annual Bakken Human Trafficking Summit will focus on identifying ways communities and agencies can communicate and collaborate, while offering applicable tools, methods and insights to assist those affected by human trafficking.
This summit is targeted to faith groups, medical professionals, law enforcement, human service providers, hospitality workers, business owners, parents/guardians, educators, service groups, government officials and other community groups to help them learn about the issues facing the region and the action steps we can take moving forward. The event will begin on the evening of June 22, with a 5 to 7 pm social and informational session at the Heritage Park. On June 23, the daylong summit will be held at the Rough Rider Center and include keynote speakers, break out sessions and panel discussions. For more information visit here.
| |
|
Connecting communities BBQ
The Western Region Economic Development covers the counties of Divide, McKenzie, Mountrail and Williams and exists to facilitate and promote a vibrant, diversified and sustainable economy through collaboration and outreach. Towards those goals they will be having three free BBQs in Powers Lake, New Town and Crosby. Learn more here.
| | | | |
