ND business briefing (Oct 16, 2025) — focused on developments with statewide or multi‑industry impact in the next 30–45 days:
🏥 Healthcare / Public Health / Insurance
ND to submit plan for federal health fund bonus via new policies
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What happened: ND must file by Nov 5 a CMS application including four policy proposals (school fitness testing, nutrition CME for doctors, joining PA licensure compact, expanded pharmacist scope) to unlock extra federal funding. The Mighty 790 KFGO | KFGO
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Why it matters: If accepted, ND could secure additional health funding, but the required policy changes may impose new compliance burdens on schools, medical practices, pharmacies.
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Who is affected: K–12 schools, physicians, PAs, pharmacists, rural clinics.
Medicaid expands community health worker/paramedic coverage, and reimbursement for rural emergency hospitals
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What happened: Effective Oct 1, 2025, ND Medicaid will permanently cover community health worker and community paramedic services, and as of Dec 1, 2025, begin reimbursement for rural emergency hospitals. Health and Human Services North Dakota
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Why it matters: Provides revenue streams for rural care providers and supports access in underserved areas.
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Who is affected: Rural hospitals, EMS providers, clinics.
📊 Finance, Taxes & Small Business
Federal law enshrines permanent 20% small-business deduction
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What happened: Congress made permanent the 20 % deduction for small businesses (QBI / pass‑through entities). NFIB – NFIB Small Business Association+1
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Why it matters: Provides long-term certainty for thousands of ND sole proprietors, freelancers, and pass-through businesses that had faced a potential tax increase.
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Who is affected: Small businesses, gig workers, e-commerce sellers, independent contractors.
HB 1127 data‑security rules in force Aug 1, 2025 (affecting financial corporations)
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What happened: ND’s HB 1127 imposes new security program requirements and breach reporting for “financial corporations”—a law effective Aug 1. Workplace Privacy Report+2National Law Review+2
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Why it matters: Financial institutions and fintech firms based in or operating in ND must ensure compliance or face penalties.
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Who is affected: Banks, credit unions, financial-services firms, fintechs.
🌾 Rural Economy / Agriculture / Retail
SB 2228 passed: Rural Grocery Store Sustainability Grant Program
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What happened: The legislature approved SB 2228, allocating funding to Commerce for grants to support rural grocery stores. LegiScan
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Why it matters: Helps food access and viability of local retail in remote areas, potentially slowing rural business closures.
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Who is affected: Rural grocers, small-town retailers, local economies.
🏛 Government / Oversight / Digital Infrastructure
New ND “Business Gateway” + State Data Hub launched
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What happened: The state unveiled a digital platform (“ND Gateway”) and State Data Hub to centralize business & agency interactions. Grand Forks Herald
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Why it matters: Simplifies processes for entrepreneurs starting or scaling businesses—permits, registrations, agency services are more integrated.
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Who is affected: All businesses, especially startups, e-commerce, home-based ventures, nonprofits.
🏫 Education / K–12
(No new statewide K–12 or higher-ed item surfaced today that passes our threshold.)
⚡ Energy / Utilities / Tech
Stablecoin initiative under way via Bank of North Dakota
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What happened: The Bank of North Dakota announced plans to launch a state-backed stablecoin (“Roughrider coin”) to enable faster bank-to-bank transfers. North Dakota Monitor
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Why it matters: Could influence ND’s financial infrastructure, offering new tools for payments, fintechs, merchants.
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Who is affected: Banks, credit unions, fintech firms, payment platforms, merchants considering crypto/payments.
Many items today indicate that change is on the horizon. What changes are coming to/for your industry, and will you be prepared or reactive? Let us know which questions we can research for you!