AGP Executive Report

Voting Rights Showdown: The U.S. Supreme Court sent back North Dakota tribes’ Voting Rights Act fight over lawsuits against states, a move civil-rights groups warn could affect voter access across multiple states. Northern Lights Watch: Aurora activity is forecast as far south as North Dakota and parts of the Upper Midwest tonight, with a better chance if skies clear. Aviation & Campus Upgrades: FAA modernization plans include a new air traffic control tower for Grand Forks, while UND is seeking approval for $1.35M in airport fiber repairs plus $1.8M for a security-focused lab upgrade. Road Safety: A Minot crash left one dead and three injured, with investigators noting a seatbelt issue. Energy/Industry Politics: Public Service Commission candidates are sharpening their views on carbon pipeline permitting as the 2026 election nears. Local Life: North Dakota’s property tax credit program is drawing near-universal participation, with 164,760 applications for the 2025 year.

Heartland Fiber Push: DCN, Range, and WIN Technology just announced a $700M, 2,000-mile Heartland Fiber Project to expand high-capacity routes across Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois—aimed at boosting capacity and resiliency for fast-growing AI and hyperscale data center demand. Community & Education: UND’s spring commencement drew more than 1,200 undergrads and 540 grads to the Alerus Center, while UND’s aircraft dispatcher program’s first cohort is now earning FAA certifications. Local Life & Safety: North Dakota’s deer season is set with 39,100 licenses (down sharply as herd recovery remains uneven), and a Bismarck-area motorcycle crash near Lidgerwood left two seriously injured. Policy Watch: Nearly 165,000 North Dakota homeowners applied for the $1,600 Primary Residence Credit—participation is expected to reach about 98%. Food Alerts: USDA expanded a public health alert for additional frozen pizza and snack items tied to a dairy recall.

Property Tax Relief: North Dakota is seeing near-universal take-up of the $1,600 Primary Residence Credit, with 164,760 homeowners applying for the 2025 tax year—about 13% more than last year—per Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus. Weather & Safety: A weekend aurora push is on the radar, while Stutsman County remains under “critical” fire-weather conditions, with officials warning against controlled burns and reminding boaters to wear life jackets during Safe Boating Week. Wildlife & Outdoors: The state set 2026 deer gun licenses at 39,100, the lowest in nearly 50 years, as deer numbers lag; paddlefish snagging also wrapped early after harvest targets were nearly hit. Food & Health: USDA expanded a public health alert tied to a dairy recall, adding more frozen pizza and snack items. Civic & Community: UND spring commencement highlighted community ties, and Grand Forks broke ground on a fully inclusive playground with a $1 million NDAD grant.

Food Safety Watch: USDA expanded a public health alert tied to a dairy recall, adding more frozen pizza and snack varieties (including regional items) and urging buyers to throw them out or return them. Public Health & Compliance: North Dakota’s air quality monitoring gets a closer look—NDDEQ runs a statewide network feeding AirNow and EPA’s AQS, with data reviewed for errors and wildfire impacts. Wildlife & Outdoors: ND Game and Fish set the 2026 deer season at 39,100 gun licenses, down sharply as whitetail numbers lag and antlerless options tighten; paddlefish snagging also wrapped early after harvest targets neared. Local Development: Sen. Hoeven says EPA is set to issue the final green light for Minot’s former landfill redevelopment into a recreation hub. Community Life: UND spring commencement spotlights community ties, while Grand Forks breaks ground on a fully inclusive playground with a $1M NDAD grant.

EPA Cleanup Push: Sen. John Hoeven says he secured a commitment from the EPA to quickly issue final approval for Minot’s former Superfund landfill redevelopment—clearing the way for a new park with disc golf, mountain biking and running trails. ND Food & Safety: An FDA inspection in April found one Eddy County-area facility (CenDak Cooperative–Sheyenne Station) in line with regulations, with “no action indicated.” Rural Life Watch: North Dakota’s small-town grocery-store fight is getting attention as the state’s store count keeps shrinking, threatening community stability. Wildlife & Outdoors: ND Game and Fish set the 2026 deer season with 39,100 licenses—down to the lowest in nearly 50 years—citing a lower deer population. Energy & Infrastructure: A new long-haul fiber build, the Heartland Fiber Project, is set to add about 2,000 miles linking Denver to Chicago through ND and neighbors, aiming to feed AI data-center demand. Weather Alert: Stutsman County faced “extreme” fire behavior conditions, with officials urging residents to avoid controlled burns during red-flag conditions.

Ethanol Push in Congress: The U.S. House passed a bill to allow year-round E15 sales, a direct win for North Dakota’s corn-and-ethanol economy and a potential pressure release on pump prices. Data Center Politics at the PSC: Two PSC races are heating up: Deven Styczynski is challenging incumbent Sheri Haugen-Hoffart, while Chris Olson targets Jill Kringstad—both tying utility costs, landowner rights, and data center growth to how the commission should regulate. Fiber Buildout for AI Demand: The Heartland Fiber Project will add about 2,000 miles of fiber linking Denver to Chicago, with North Dakota in the route, aiming to boost capacity for hyperscale data centers. Aviation Upgrade Dollars: Grand Forks is among eight airports picked for major air traffic control replacements, part of a $835M-plus national modernization push. Weather & Air Quality: Strong winds and blowing dust triggered an air quality alert in northwest Minnesota, a reminder that regional conditions can quickly affect operations and health. Local Economy Signal: Grand Forks County wages rose 2.9% in 2025, lifting average pay to $61,513.

Air Safety & Infrastructure: The FAA/DOT announced $835.8M for air traffic control upgrades, including replacing towers in Grand Forks, ND plus seven other sites—part of a broader push to modernize aging facilities. Energy Planning: Otter Tail Power filed a 15-year resource plan with Minnesota regulators, proposing new gas and wind additions and noting it expects to file a separate ND plan in 2027. Oil-Linked Budget Pressure: North Dakota’s IT funding model is being stress-tested as oil prices swing, with state CIO Corey Mock saying the agency is reviewing how to keep service delivery stable. Workforce Leadership: Gov. Armstrong named Phil Davis interim executive director of Job Service ND as Pat Bertagnolli retires June 12. Ag & Weather: Dry, windy conditions are stressing Red River Valley topsoil and prompting air-quality alerts. Health: ND health officials are monitoring possible hantavirus exposure after a traveler on a ship tested positive. Ethanol Push: The House advanced year-round E15 sales, with ND Corn Council backing it as a cheaper fuel option. Public Lands/Carbon: Summit Carbon Solutions is rerouting its CO2 pipeline west through Nebraska to Wyoming, dropping parts of Iowa and bypassing South Dakota.

Northern Lights Alert: NOAA says a G1 geomagnetic storm could bring aurora to northern states including North Dakota Friday night into Saturday, helped by a new moon. Weather & Safety: Gusty winds and dust are already disrupting travel, with reduced visibility and road closures reported across the region. Local Infrastructure: The Bismarck Valley Medical Public Library will close May 8 and May 15 for restroom construction, pushing people to digital resources. Construction Pipeline: Valley City broke ground on a new VCPS school building, while high schoolers got hands-on with heavy equipment at Red River Valley Fairgrounds Demo Day. Agriculture: After years of sharp gains, North Dakota cropland values are flattening as low commodity prices collide with high input costs. Public Health: ND health officials are monitoring possible hantavirus exposure tied to an overseas ship case, with doctors urging calm—public risk is low. Energy & Fuel Policy: The House advanced year-round E15, a potential win for ND ethanol producers. Business Spotlight: Kwik Trip again topped USA Today’s best gas station brand list for the seventh straight year. Legal/Crime: A Jamestown man was arrested after a high-speed pursuit that reached 97 mph in town and 115 mph on I-94.

Ethanol Push in Congress: The U.S. House passed year-round, nationwide E15 sales (218-203), a long-fought win for North Dakota farmers and ethanol producers; the bill now heads to the Senate, with supporters saying it removes summer-only barriers and boosts demand for homegrown fuel. Pipeline Shake-Up: Summit Carbon Solutions is reshaping its CO2 pipeline plan—cutting about 200 miles in Iowa and shifting the destination to Wyoming—reducing impacted counties and landowners as the project tries to keep momentum. Veterans Care Expansion: Sen. John Hoeven pressed the VA to plan a second veterans home in northwestern North Dakota, with VA leadership backing the needs assessment. Regional Risk Watch: Red Flag Warnings are up across much of North Dakota amid dry, windy conditions, with burn restrictions and fire danger in focus. Local Growth Signal: Minot’s population appears to be stabilizing, with nearby bedroom towns also showing moderate increases.

Carbon Pipeline Shake-Up: Summit Carbon Solutions says it’s shrinking and rerouting its CO2 pipeline—dropping eight Iowa counties, cutting about 200 miles, and shifting the sequestration destination to Wyoming, leaving North Dakota and South Dakota out of the new route language. Bridge Planning: NDDOT held a public meeting on options to replace Bismarck’s Grant Marsh Bridge, with a focus on capacity, safety, and traffic flow but no set construction timeline. Biofuels Push: The House passed a bill to allow year-round E15 sales, a win for ethanol backers after years of stalled fights. Agriculture Grants: NDDA announced $120,000 in orchard grants for permanent community orchards, with applications due June 5. Education & AI Reality Check: A new UND-focused report argues STEM schools are missing the point—students are using generative AI constantly, but many can’t tell when it’s wrong. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports Dickey County’s lowest midgrade price at $3.89 for the week ending May 2, while diesel stays volatile statewide amid Iran-linked market jitters.

Energy & Markets: Phoenix Energy set a public Q1 2026 earnings call for May 18, with its Williston Basin footprint in North Dakota and Montana front and center. Fuel Watch: Diesel prices stayed jumpy—Morton County’s lowest reported diesel hit $4.43/gal (week ending May 2), while the statewide diesel average climbed to $4.96. Tourism Push: North Dakota’s Commerce Department awarded $4M in Destination Development Grants, backing new and expanding attractions meant to pull in more visitors and longer stays. Local Growth & Jobs: Basin Electric broke ground on the Bison Generation Station near Ray, a nearly $4B, ~1,490 MW natural gas project aimed at meeting rising regional power demand. Community Needs: A new analysis flags childcare deserts across the state—at least 14 ND counties fall below 60% of demand, with staffing shortages and limited Head Start access worsening the gap. Tech & Justice: A Tennessee grandmother says facial recognition wrongly linked her to a Fargo bank fraud case, leading to more than five months in custody before dismissal.

Road & Mobility: Grand Forks is moving into the construction phase of the 42nd Street underpass at DeMers Avenue, with a public info open house Tuesday and a plan to close part of 42nd Street later this summer through summer 2027. Energy & Climate: An MIT study finds EVs cut greenhouse-gas emissions 40–60% in most places, and colder weather doesn’t erase the advantage as much as some reports suggest. Ag & Rural Economy: NDSU Extension is set to host a June 2 webinar on dry bean nutrients, while pastureland values in North Dakota keep climbing for a sixth straight year (up about 7% in 2025–26). Public Safety: Red-flag fire danger is driving warnings across North Dakota and western Minnesota after multiple early fires, including a downtown Fargo vehicle fire that displaced families. Health Care: VA Secretary Doug Collins backed a new veterans home for Northwestern North Dakota, citing limited long-term-care options and long travel distances. Business & Growth: North Dakota’s Commerce team took its pitch to global investors at the SelectUSA Investment Summit, targeting energy, data infrastructure, and value-added agriculture. Higher Ed: The EERC at UND announced layoffs tied to delayed funding for research and projects.

Energy Deal: EnergyWorks (Rausch Companies) just closed on a $65 million purchase of 731 natural gas wells in Oklahoma’s Arkoma Basin, positioning the Fayetteville-based firm as the largest Arkansas-based operator, with 654 wells operated by EnergyWorks. Fuel Watch: Gas prices stay jumpy across the region—Morton County’s lowest reported regular hit $3.69 (week ending May 2), while Eddy County’s lowest premium was $4.14 at a single station. Public Lands Policy: The Interior Department is canceling a Biden-era public lands rule that treated conservation as a “use,” arguing it could restrict energy and timber access—an immediate signal that federal land management is shifting again. Immigration Enforcement: ICE is expanding into co-working-style offices in more than 40 states, including South Dakota, with plans to deploy about 330 officers and staff. Community & Agriculture: North Dakota farmers markets can apply for marketing grants (up to $2,500) to boost visibility and specialty-crop sales, with applications due June 12.

Federal Lands Shake-Up: Interior has canceled a 2024 rule that treated conservation as equal to development on public lands—an abrupt pivot that could reshape how restoration leases are handled as drilling, logging, mining and grazing get more room. Air Quality & Power: The administration’s push for more coal comes with a warning sign: more toxic mercury in the air as plants burn more. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports the lowest E85 in Morton County at $1.99 (week ending May 2), while diesel in Foster County hit $4.79—small datapoints, but they underline how volatile energy costs remain. North Dakota Energy/Legal: ND Supreme Court limits Greenpeace pipeline claims in a Dutch court fight tied to Dakota Access. Local Governance: Grand Forks is keeping its Event Center Commission as its own entity, but council wants tighter oversight as Oak View Group’s contract winds down. Agriculture Timing: NWS says ND’s growing season officially started May 8, with drought still stressing western pastures. Defense Tech: Fort Bliss is named among five bases for a directed-energy counter-drone pilot, with Grand Forks AFB included too.

Disaster Relief Deadline: SBA is reminding Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate small businesses and private nonprofits that the June 11 deadline is still open for low-interest disaster loans tied to the June 12–16, 2025 storm and flooding, including ND counties Richland and Sargent. Wealth & Talent: First Community Trust expands into North Dakota and adds Minot-based wealth adviser Dean Zaderaka, signaling more regional competition for trust and estate services. Defense Tech in ND: Grand Forks Air Force Base was selected for a new U.S. counter-drone directed-energy pilot, part of a broader push to test lasers and microwave systems at five installations. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy reports show pockets of lower prices across ND counties for the week ending May 2, but national fuel volatility remains tied to global shipping risk. Data Center Backlash: A new report says many states—including North Dakota—don’t disclose how much tax revenue they lose to data center breaks, while local opposition keeps growing. Health IT: Federal health IT leaders are pushing for affordability through better data sharing and clearer AI use.

North Dakota Industry Watch coverage over the past week is dominated by a mix of business/economic items and policy-and-infrastructure updates, with the heaviest concentration in the last 12 hours. The most clearly “industry-relevant” cluster in the newest reporting centers on North Dakota’s business environment and workforce: a North Dakota coaching firm announced a new “Business Packaging Program” aimed at helping cash-flowing small and mid-size businesses prepare for sale or acquisition by strengthening leadership infrastructure and sales/documentation readiness. In parallel, coverage also highlights cost pressures facing small businesses, including a roundtable where North Dakota small business owners raised concerns about rising healthcare costs and credit card swipe/transaction fees.

The newest reporting also includes several signals of operational change and public-sector planning that can affect local industry. A Fargo Scheels Home & Hardware store closure was reported as ending the brand’s hardware presence in the city later in 2026, with the company saying it’s based on the evolution of its business rather than the team’s performance. On the public infrastructure side, North Dakota’s drought outlook is shifting: after a period without drought classification, the May 7 Drought Monitor expanded drought/abnormally dry conditions into parts of western and central counties, while other coverage notes spring wheat planting has largely caught up to normal pace after early wet/cold delays—an important continuity point for agriculture supply chains and input demand.

A major theme with strong continuity across the week is energy and permitting—though the provided evidence is more detailed in surrounding states than in North Dakota itself. Recent items include a North Dakota-related regulatory/permitting thread (a PSC public hearing scheduled for a proposed Morton County wind farm and associated transmission line) and broader regional energy developments such as “Keystone Light” pipeline revival efforts and related federal actions. Additionally, reporting includes a North Dakota workforce reduction via state buyouts (101 employees), framed as a response to declining oil tax revenues—an economic-policy development that can ripple into state-agency capacity and contractor ecosystems.

Finally, the week’s coverage ties North Dakota’s near-term economic outlook to healthcare and logistics policy. Newer items include a North Dakota-specific healthcare/insurance friction angle (small businesses voicing concerns about healthcare costs and card swipe charges) and a broader federal/state regulatory context around trucking credentials (states revoking non-domiciled CDLs), which can affect freight availability and costs. The most recent evidence is somewhat sparse on North Dakota-specific “hard” economic indicators beyond workforce and agriculture/weather signals, so the overall picture relies on these operational and policy updates rather than a single, clearly defined major industry event.