CEO Guide to the States

North Dakota

PROSPERITY IN THE PEACE GARDEN STATE

Despite forecasts of a bleak economic outlook and national recession, North Dakota’s economy remains strong. A Q3 2022 report by North Dakota State University found that state unemployment has continued to decline while tax collections have grown. The state retains one of the lowest individual tax rates in the nation and ranks in the top 10 for favorable corporate tax rates. Officials also offer numerous tax incentives, including property tax exemptions for new or expanding businesses, industry-specific tax exemptions and a corporate income tax exemption for up to five years.

“North Dakota continues to be an innovative leader in ag technology. Today’s ground- breaking marks a milestone for Grand Farm’s private-public partnership, which will have a significant impact on our region and the acceleration of innovation in autonomous agriculture…. Every major step in proving the Grand Farm con- cept and commercializing this technology keeps North Dakota on the cutting edge of autono- mous agriculture and increases the potential for this technology to improve productivity for farmers and help address our state’s workforce challenge through automation. We’re grateful for all of the private and public partners who continue to drive this important initiative.”
Doug Burgum
Governor

TAXES

0 %

top corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index ranking

EDUCATION

0 %

of adults 25 years of age and older have graduated high school

0 %

of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

0 %

RIGHT TO WORK STATE

Yes

QUALITY OF LIFE

# 0

POPULATION GROWTH

0 %

increase between 2010 and 2020

KEY INCENTIVES

Innovation Technology Loan Fund (LIFT): An innovation loan fund that supports technology advancement by providing financing for commercialization of intellectual property within the state. Funds can be used for working capital to conduct applied research, experimentation or operational testing.

North Dakota Development Fund (NDDF): Offers “flexible gap financing” through loans and equity investments not available from most conventional lenders for the purpose of economic development.

Innovate ND: A voucher and grant program available to help turn an innovative idea into a profitable business.

PACE: Administered through the Bank of North Dakota (the nation’s only state-owned bank), helps communities expand their economic base by assisting primary-sector businesses that make an investment or create jobs in the community. Proceeds from the fund may be used to purchase real property, equipment and certain working capital requirements.

EDCs

North Dakota Commerce

business.nd.gov

Bismarck-Mandan Development Association

bmda.org

Fargo Moorhead Economic Development

gfmedc.com

Williston Economic Development Office

willistondevelopment.com

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE

Operation Intern offers up to $4,000 in matching funds for internships in targeted industries like energy, advanced manufacturing, value-added agriculture, tourism and technology-based businesses. Funding is a one-to-one match and can be used for items needed for the intern to perform their internships, such as wages, tools and equipment, essential training or tuition reimbursement.

BIG DEALS

  • Cerilon announced in October 2021 it will build a $2.8 billion gas-to-liquids complex in Trenton.
  • Grand Farm received a $10 million autonomous agri- culture technology matching grant in February 2022 to fund the advancement of autonomous farming.
  • Bitzero Blockchain Inc. announced in July 2022 it will develop a $500 million data center in Nekoma.
  • Green Bison broke ground in June 2022 on a $350 million facility in Dickinson.
  • In October 2022, the state broke ground on the Grand Farm Innovation Facility near Casselton, which will foster innovation in autonomous agriculture technology.

BIG COMPANIES

  • Bushel
  • ADMThread/Airtonomy 
  • Baker Boy
  • Red Trail Energy
  • Northrop Grumman 
  • Aldevron
  • Amazon 
  • Specialty Milling Giants Snacks
  • AGT Foods
  • Tharaldson Ethanol
  • Anchor Ingredients
  • Stone Mill
  • Aldevron
Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

1:00 - 5:00 pm

Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process

Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:

  1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
  2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
  3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

 

Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns.  They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning.  Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process.  This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented.  If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form.  The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

Limited space available.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS

General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.