AGP Executive Report

North Dakota Data Centers: A Fargo-area lawmaker is pushing a one-year pause on licensing new data centers and wants public officials barred from signing NDAs with developers, arguing communities need time on taxes, water use, cleanup costs, and long-term power demand. State Transportation Planning: NDDOT released its draft 2027-30 STIP for public comment (Aug. 12–Sept. 12), outlining highway, safety, bikeways, and transit projects funded with federal dollars. Health & Human Services Leadership: Gov. Kelly Armstrong appointed Conner Swanson to lead the state’s largest agency, effective Aug. 29, after his work as a senior adviser overseeing HHS policy. Aviation Manufacturing Growth: Cirrus Aircraft expanded its Grand Forks manufacturing facility to meet rising demand, adding new capacity for its composites work. Energy & Grid Policy: The Trump administration admitted canceling $7.5B in federal grants last October based on whether projects were in Democratic states—though some Minnesota Power and Midwest transmission grants tied to North Dakota were later reinstated. Agriculture Watch: Pro Farmer’s CCI points to a slight drop in corn and soybean ratings, while spring wheat rebounded. Local Consumer Notes: Minot ranked No. 2 in North Dakota for scam reports in July, and GasBuddy price checks show premium gas deals ranging into the mid-$4s across counties.

Cattle & Drought: Producers in parts of the Dakotas are weighing herd rebuilding, but drought pressure is making heifer retention rare in many regions, even as some pockets keep it going. Fire Safety for Haying: NDSU is urging “baler hygiene” this season—dry conditions plus hot equipment mean growers should check bearings and temperatures often to prevent hay fires. Forage Risk: After rain, drought-stressed forages can spike nitrate levels for days—NDSU recommends a 7-to-12 day recovery before grazing or hay harvest. Timber & Windbreaks: Pine wilt disease has been confirmed in North Dakota trees for the first time, with detections in Ransom and Sargent counties; foresters urge diversifying species. Oil & Gas: Empire Petroleum reported Q2 2026 results and an operational update, highlighting major gas compression gains and more wells coming online. Policy & Tech: North Dakota’s AI and Data Center Committee heard calls to prioritize child safety, with special concern about companion chatbots. Consumer & Community: The state Historical Society launched its first AgFest at the Heritage Center, mixing agriculture exhibits with family-friendly events. Energy Costs Watch: A new 50-state analysis links climate/net-zero mandates to higher electricity rates, adding fuel to affordability debates.

Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports the lowest premium gas in Mercer County at $4.88/gal (week ending Aug. 8), while Steele regular hit $4.04 and Cavalier regular dipped to $3.99—statewide averages eased to $3.80 regular and $4.55 premium. Ag Risk: NDSU warns drought-stressed forages can spike nitrate levels after rain, sometimes 2–3 days later; producers should allow 7–12 days of good growth before grazing or hay harvest. Agriculture Events: Central Lakes College’s Ag & Energy Research Center Field Day is set for Aug. 28 in Staples, featuring corn, drones, edible beans, irrigation, and hands-on kids’ activities. Wildlife & Hunting: ND Game and Fish set 2026 small game, waterfowl and furbearer rules, including a Sept. 26 opening for resident waterfowl and new trapping/season timing changes. Consumer Finance: North Dakota is part of a $15M settlement with mortgage servicer NewRez over force-placed insurance costs, with ND’s share deposited into the state regulatory fund. AI Policy: The ND AI and Data Center Committee heard calls to prioritize child safety, with concerns focused on companion chatbots and classroom safeguards. Community & Safety: ND State Patrol reported a fatal I-94 crash near Jamestown involving an SUV and a semi.

Consumer Finance: North Dakota is getting $54,756 from a multistate $15.5M settlement with mortgage servicer NewRez LLC after “force-placed” insurance charges harmed 4,200+ borrowers, with enhanced monitoring required. Wildlife & Outdoors: ND Game and Fish set 2026 small game, waterfowl and furbearer rules, including Sept. 26 opening for ducks/geese/coots/mergansers for residents and new trapping/season tweaks for marten and river otter. Energy & Transportation: Gas prices in the week ending Aug. 8 show a mixed picture—premium lows reported at $4.25 in Grand Forks County and $4.64 in Rolette County, while diesel averages hovered around $4.92 statewide. Local Community: Grand Forks’ Vets in the Park brought veterans and families together with resource booths and services aimed at the transition to civilian life. Agriculture & Equipment: A 1996 look back at harvest-driven equipment demand shows how better wheat quality and yields boosted implement sales in parts of ND while other areas lagged.

Wildlife & Outdoor Economy: North Dakota Game and Fish set 2026 small game, waterfowl and furbearer rules, including Sept. 26 opening for ducks/geese/coots/mergansers for residents and new trapping changes that expand American marten statewide. Aviation Manufacturing: Cirrus is expanding its Grand Forks plant by 30,000 square feet to meet growing demand and support composite work for the new TRAC10 flight training aircraft. Trucking & Training Talent: UPS driver Miguel Corral won Bendix Grand Champion honors at NTDC 2026, highlighting North Dakota’s broader logistics and training ecosystem. Local Water Security: Fargo-area officials say North Dakota water systems have not been compromised after Iranian-linked hacks hit neighboring states, with utilities reporting confidence in supply safety. Agriculture & Community Resilience: NDSU Extension will run fall suicide prevention webinars, while a Menoken Farm field day on Sept. 30 spotlights regenerative practices and soil health for producers. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports the lowest premium gas in Rolette County at $4.64 (week ending Aug. 8), with statewide premium averaging $4.55. Policy & Regulation: A North Dakota special session is set to consider 20 bills and resolutions, including multiple proposals tied to kratom regulation and age limits.

Special Session Watch: North Dakota lawmakers are weighing a Sept. 2 special session agenda that includes kratom restrictions and a fix for the stalled Military Gallery project, with draft plans for a $35 million line of credit from the Bank of North Dakota plus added oversight. Energy & Infrastructure: The U.S. Department of Energy has canceled National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor designations that would have stretched into the Dakotas, reviving land-rights concerns. Manufacturing Growth: Cirrus expanded its Grand Forks manufacturing facility, adding 30,000+ square feet and new production capacity for SR Series and Vision Jet demand. Agriculture & Food Supply: North Dakota’s hay hotline is active as drought pressures producers, while USDA conservation funding is open for applications. Public Health: Measles cases are spiking nationally as vaccine guidance shifts, and cyclosporiasis continues to spread with FDA inspection activity in Mexico. Local Economy & Safety: Fuel prices show mixed movement statewide, and I-94 concrete repairs in Fargo will keep lanes reduced starting Aug. 19.

Special Session Watch: North Dakota lawmakers are weighing a Sept. 2 special session agenda that includes kratom restrictions plus a fix for the stalled North Dakota Military Gallery, with a draft proposing a $35 million line of credit from the Bank of North Dakota and added oversight tied to donor naming decisions. Energy & Infrastructure: The U.S. Energy Department has canceled proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, leaving uncertainty for landowners in the region, while North Dakota DOT work continues with I-94 lane reductions in Fargo for concrete repairs. Aviation & Manufacturing: Cirrus expanded its Grand Forks manufacturing facility, adding 30,000+ square feet and new capacity to support demand for its aircraft portfolio. Carbon Capture: Project Tundra’s development structure is shifting, with Reliant Carbon Capture & Storage taking the lead on ownership and operation for the Milton R. Young Station retrofit. Agriculture: American Crystal Sugar kicked off its 2026 pre-pile sugarbeet harvest in the Red River Valley, starting factory runs ahead of the main stockpile harvest. Public Safety: State Patrol reported fatal I-94 crashes near Jamestown and Eldridge, underscoring ongoing seatbelt and roadway risks.

Energy & Fuel Prices: The national average for regular gas is back up to $4.07 after a week of declines, with crude oil holding near the $80 range amid Strait of Hormuz uncertainty. State Health Leadership: Gov. Kelly Armstrong appointed Conner Swanson to lead North Dakota’s Health and Human Services, effective Aug. 29, as the agency manages major rural health and Medicaid changes. Agriculture Under Drought: North Dakota’s hay hotline is now active, letting producers report conditions and connect with nearby hay, pasture, or hayland options. Flood Infrastructure: All 19 bridges tied to the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion project are now complete, including the final 52nd Avenue bridge, a key step in metro flood protection. Aviation & Airports: A new state aviation study flags a projected $350.7M funding shortfall over the next decade even as airports support thousands of jobs and billions in economic output. Grid & Transmission Politics: The U.S. Energy Department canceled three Biden-era transmission corridors, including one affecting North Dakota, citing cost and reliability concerns. Data Centers & Local Control: Rep. Julie Fedorchak says Congress should weigh in on data center impacts, pushing for transparency and grid-ratepayer protections. Conservation Funding: NRCS is accepting North Dakota applications for conservation programs for fiscal year 2027, with deadlines set for Sept. 18.

DHHS Leadership Shake-Up: Gov. Kelly Armstrong appointed Conner Swanson to lead North Dakota’s Department of Health and Human Services, effective Aug. 29, taking over from interim commissioner Pat Traynor as the agency manages a $5.7B two-year budget and major rural health grant work. Gun Policy & Compliance: North Dakota joined a coalition of state attorneys general urging the DOJ not to appeal a Texas ruling that struck down enforcement of certain National Firearms Act registration requirements, while a separate report says suppressors can now be bought over the counter in many states with key exceptions. Grid & Transmission Fight: The U.S. Department of Energy canceled three Biden-era transmission corridor efforts, including the Tribal Energy Access Corridor that crosses North Dakota, after local pushback and renewed political pressure over cost and reliability. Energy Costs Debate: A new report argues “blue-state” renewable mandates are driving higher power bills, while North Dakota’s own energy policy moves continue to ripple through affordability and reliability discussions. Prairie Wetlands at Risk: A federal wetlands rule review could affect duck habitat across the Northern Great Plains, with concerns that impacts could be felt far beyond North Dakota. Wind Power Approval: The PSC approved a Morton County wind farm (Longspur Wind), with commissioners raising questions about turbine scale and rushed filings. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy price checks show diesel deals in parts of the state, including Griggs County’s lowest reported diesel at $4.99 (week ending Aug. 8). Agriculture & Processing: Gevo’s Richardton expansion could add major ethanol capacity and set up sustainable jet fuel production, with potential knock-on benefits for local livestock and farm economics.

Drought & Forage Markets: North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring activated the state Hay Hotline as dry conditions grip parts of the state, letting ranchers find hay, pasture, or hayland rentals and encouraging weekly drought impact reports through CMOR to support federal and state response. Farm Bill Gridlock: North Dakota farmers’ groups say failed Farm Bill negotiations are leaving producers frustrated, with the biggest sticking point tied to how states would pay for SNAP, while lawmakers look to vote again in September. Energy & Ag Expansion: Gevo is expanding in Richardton, adding a second production facility to lift ethanol capacity and planning sustainable jet fuel production using its carbon capture setup. Rural Access Funding: North Dakota HHS opened about $2M in grants for non-emergency medical transportation vehicles, aiming to reduce a major barrier to rural healthcare. Data Center Policy Push: A bill would bar North Dakota public officials from signing NDAs with data center developers, reflecting growing calls for transparency as lawmakers prepare for a Sept. 2 special session. Transportation Planning: NDDOT released the draft 2027-2030 STIP for public comment, outlining federally funded road, safety, transit, and bikeway projects. Local Business & Jobs: A Fargo job fair drew hundreds of applicants and highlighted demand across healthcare, education, manufacturing, and retail/wholesale. Mining Watch: The Tamarack Mining proposal drew strong support and environmental concerns as Minnesota’s review process opened to public comment.

Kratom Policy Showdown: North Dakota lawmakers’ Kratom Working Group heard hours of testimony as a special session deadline nears (bills due Friday, session starts Sept. 2), with proposals ranging from a full ban to targeting synthetic products tied to 7-OH while regulating natural kratom. Energy & Pipelines: West Virginia AG McCuskey leads a coalition urging a federal appeals court to keep Enbridge’s Line 5 operating, arguing state action would cut national supply and raise prices. Aviation & Infrastructure: Bismarck Airport moves forward on a $132.2M terminal expansion, adding gates and enlarging departure lounges to handle record passenger growth. Road Projects: NDDOT released draft input for the 2027-2030 STIP (Aug. 12–Sept. 12) and scheduled routine Memorial Bridge inspections (Aug. 17–19) plus I-29 interchange concrete repairs with temporary closures. Agriculture Drought Response: The ND Department of Agriculture activated the Hay Hotline to match hay, pasture, and hayland needs as drought worsens, and NDSU warns drought-stressed forage may carry higher nitrate poisoning risk. Workforce & Local Economy: A Fargo job fair drew hundreds of seekers with 30+ employers; Job Service ND cites 12,500 statewide openings, especially in healthcare, education, manufacturing, and retail/wholesale. Public Safety: Grand Forks Police will join the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign (Aug. 14–Sept. 7), funded by NDDOT.

Housing Affordability: Rep. Fedorchak held a housing roundtable in Bismarck with builders, bankers, and advocates, focusing on cutting local barriers, reducing red tape, and expanding manufactured-home options to boost supply. Drought & Ranch Supply: The North Dakota Department of Agriculture reopened its Hay Hotline, letting ranchers request hay or list surplus, while also urging producers to document drought impacts for federal and state response. Ag Weather & Harvest: USDA data shows early spring wheat harvest in North Dakota, with about 20% already harvested and yields averaging up to 50 bushels per acre, while corn and soybeans face stress without rain. Energy & Sovereignty: A dispute over a behind-the-meter solar array at Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort heads toward a Sept. 17 decision by the Public Utilities Commission, with tribal sovereignty and utility jurisdiction at the center. AI in Rural Health: A KFF Health News review finds only 26 peer-reviewed studies on AI in rural healthcare since 2010, raising questions as states prepare to spend big federal rural health dollars on AI tools. AI Data Centers: NDSU research guide highlights how AI data centers could affect water use, power costs, and noise in North Dakota, pushing for better-informed local decisions. Infrastructure: ND DOT schedules concrete repairs on the I-29 overpass at 32nd Avenue South in Grand Forks, with lane reductions for about two months. Fuel Watch: AAA reports pump prices easing nationally, while GasBuddy shows diesel prices around $4.89 statewide for the week ending Aug. 1. Scam Alerts: BBB Scam Tracker ranks North Dakota 50th for scam reports in July (35 reports), with online purchase scams the most common.

Road & Construction: Valley City’s Eighth Ave SW/County Road 21 mill-and-overlay is set to start Aug. 24, then updated to Sept. 7, with lane closures, reduced speeds, and flaggers through Sept. 14. Rural Health Access: North Dakota HHS is offering $2 million to buy accessible non-emergency medical transport vehicles for rural providers, with about four ~$500,000 grants. State Infrastructure Planning: NDDOT is taking public comments on proposed additions to the 2026-29 STIP, including Highway 31 widening/overlay, Highway 49 reclamation/overlay, intersection lighting, and statewide sign upgrades (comments due Aug. 25). Ag Drought Response: ND activated a Hay Hotline to match hay, pasture, and hayland needs and offers as drought expands; producers are also urged to submit drought impact reports for federal/state assistance. Farm Economy: Farmland values are holding firm despite lower commodity prices, supporting sticky cash-rent talks for 2027. Food Safety: A jalapeño-linked Salmonella outbreak has expanded to 27 states, including North Dakota, triggering downstream recalls. Legal/Property Rights: SCOTUS set oral arguments for Nov. 9 in a pipeline eminent domain fight over how much landowners should be paid. Defense Tech: SciTec and partners won a $423M push to digitize missile warning radars through April 2028. Local Business/Community: Great Plains Food Bank is building a larger Fargo distribution center, targeting a fall 2027 opening. Public Safety: A Grand Forks motorcycle crash shut down part of Gateway Drive Tuesday; the SUV driver was cited for failing to yield.

North Dakota Agriculture & Food Supply: USDA says U.S. sugarbeet acreage fell to the lowest level in decades, with weather and economics driving the drop; North Dakota still leads among states at about 208,000 acres. Farm Management Research: NDSU Extension and University of Minnesota trials found that “mix it all” chemical applications in sugarbeets don’t deliver the safety and performance farmers want, pushing growers toward more targeted passes. Public Health: A Salmonella recall tied to imported jalapeños has expanded from restaurant foods to grocery items like salsa, guacamole, dips, and prepared meals sold across 26 states, with “Best If Used By” dates through Aug. 16. Energy & Infrastructure Policy: A Fargo lawmaker is pressing for data center transparency via limits on non-disclosure agreements and is floating a temporary moratorium, while a top legislative leader questions whether a special session is the right venue. Wildfire Risk: Gov. Kelly Armstrong declared a statewide fire emergency as drought and dry vegetation raise the odds of fast-moving wildfires. Agriculture Risk in Drought: NDSU warns drought-stressed forage can raise nitrate poisoning risk in cattle, urging testing before feeding. New Research Facility: NDSU dedicated the Bolley Agricultural Laboratory, a major boost for plant pathology, breeding, weed science, agronomy, soil science, and horticulture. Local Governance: Grand Forks is updating its no-trespass ordinance so second offenses become Class A misdemeanors statewide.

Data Centers & Power: A new wave of AI buildout is colliding with permitting and public pushback, with litigation now a go-to tactic for data center opponents as projects get blocked or delayed across states. Local Housing & Public Safety: Grand Forks is moving to update its no-trespass ordinance so second offenses become Class A misdemeanors citywide, tightening enforcement tied to earlier state-law changes. Livestock & Ag Risk: NDSU Extension warns drought-stressed feed can raise nitrate poisoning risk in cattle, urging farmers to test low-yield oats, barley, and corn before feeding. Energy & Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports diesel prices in North Dakota averaging $4.89 for the week ending Aug. 1, with the lowest at $4.94 in Griggs County. Research & Space Tech: UND and NASA are testing a mobile wastewater purification system that could help future lunar missions reuse water. Construction Materials: Mass timber is gaining traction in the region as updated codes and embodied-carbon goals open the door to taller projects. Fair Housing Funding: The High Plains Fair Housing Center says it’s waiting on a $425,000 federal grant installment by Sept. 1 or may furlough staff.

Mass Timber in ND: JLG Architects’ Eric Hoffer says mass timber is accelerating in North Dakota as building codes expand allowable heights and demand grows for lower embodied-carbon projects. Critical Minerals + Fertilizer: UND is pushing a DOE-backed pilot at the Falkirk coal mine to scale critical mineral refining and produce fertilizer from coal humic acid—aiming to make the project financially viable after the contract. Food Safety Watch: Taylor Farms issued a recall of multiple salsa/guacamole items tied to salmonella risk linked to potentially contaminated jalapeños. Prairie Wetlands Policy: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking input on how drain-tile setbacks are calculated near federal prairie pothole easements—an issue that could affect duck production far beyond the Dakotas. Local Development: Grand Forks School Board will vote Monday on a PILOT for Ray Richards Golf Course, with plans for high-end apartments and a Topgolf-style driving range. Energy + Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports statewide premium and midgrade prices edging up in early August, with several counties showing only one station reporting the lowest rates. Ag Policy Fight: Farm groups warn a mandatory base acre update could cut commodity program benefits and risk management support, complicating Farm Bill progress. ND Business/Community: Fargo’s Sliced Bakeshop is weighing whether summer sales are enough to keep the doors open. Public Health + Environment: A new study finds many U.S. parks sit near toxic chemical-reporting and hazardous-waste sites, raising health concerns for communities that rely on green space.