North Dakota Department of Commerce marketing with city, county officials on infrastructure development plans

Leaders from state agencies will be holding community meetings in Watford City, Williston and Stanley today to work with local leaders to address regional infrastructure development.

Participating will be the North Dakota Department of Commerce, N.D. Department of Transportation, Office of Management and Budget, the Bank of North Dakota, N.D. Housing Finance Agency and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute.

Commerce Commissioner Shane Goettle said northwestern North Dakota’s oil-producing counties are experiencing challenges in infrastructure relating to the significant growth in jobs, industry, population and wages in their communities.

“We are working to address these challenges effectively and efficiently,” Goettle said. “The state has been and will continue to partner with local governments to assist in developing infrastructure development plans to address current and future challenges.”

The meeting schedule is as follows:

Watford City, 8-10 a.m.

Outlaws Bar & Grill, 120 S. Main Street.

Williston, 12-2 p.m.

El Rancho Motor Hotel, South Banquet Room, 1623 2nd Ave. W.

Stanley, 3-5 p.m.

Two Way Inn, 300 N. Main Street (note: Main Street is under construction)

The Department of Commerce, along with the other agencies, will be conducting meetings in other communities, as well.

The state’s four-part infrastructure development strategy addresses transportation, housing, workforce and long-term planning. It will help identify and assess the needs of cities and counties in order to develop effective strategies for continued investments in strong, safe and reliable infrastructure to sustain the growth of industry and communities.

Transportation: The Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, in cooperation with the oil and gas producing counties and the North Dakota Department of Commerce, is conducting a study to assess road and highway needs.

Housing: The North Dakota Housing and Finance Agency, Department of Commerce and the Bank of North Dakota are assisting with housing needs as well as planning for projected housing needs to make recommendations for any programmatic changes needed to the 2011 legislative session.

Workforce: The North Dakota Petroleum Council and the North Dakota Department of Commerce are conducting a workforce needs assessment to project the workforce and skill needs for the oil and natural gas industry and industry sub-sectors.

Technical Assistance: This matching grant program available through the North Dakota Department of Commerce will assist cities and counties in oil development areas to craft plans for water, sewer and other infrastructure needs.

More information about the meetings and the infrastructure development strategy is available at www.NDCommerce.com – click ‘resources’.

The North Dakota Department of Commerce works to improve the quality of life for North Dakota citizens by leading efforts to attract, retain and expand wealth. Commerce serves businesses and communities statewide through committed people and partners who offer valuable programs and dynamic services. www.ndcommerce.com.

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