North Dakota Business Daily Briefing — Fri, Oct 17, 2025
Cross‑Industry (Small Businesses, Freelancers, Nonprofits)
-
What happened: ND Insurance Department approved 2026 ACA health plan rate changes and warned costs could spike further if enhanced federal subsidies expire; average base changes: individual market BCBSND +8.3%, Sanford +5.12%, Medica +23.09%; small‑group ranges +3.91% to +8.29%. North Dakota Insurance Department+1
Why it matters: Sole proprietors, gig workers, nonprofits on small‑group plans, and individuals shopping coverage need to budget now and plan for Open Enrollment choices.
Who’s affected: Individuals on the exchange; small‑group employers statewide.
Dates/Deadlines: Open Enrollment Nov 1–Jan 15 (plan selections affect 2026 renewals too). North Dakota Insurance Department -
What happened: Job Service ND announced planned downtime for its job‑matching portal (Virtual One Stop) Fri, Oct 17, 5 pm – Sun, Oct 19. Job Service North Dakota
Why it matters: Employers can’t post jobs or pull applicants during the outage; recruiters should adjust timelines.
Who’s affected: Hiring managers, HR, staffing firms, job seekers.
Dates/Deadlines: Outage window above; site resumes normal ops afterward. Job Service North Dakota
Healthcare (Hospitals, Clinics, Payers & Public Health)
-
What happened: ND Medicaid finalized State Plan Amendment coverage for community health workers and community paramedics effective Oct 1, 2025; HHS also issued a Cost of Dispensing Survey procurement (open now). Health and Human Services North Dakota
Why it matters: Clinics and EMS can bill new services; pharmacies should monitor the COD survey that may impact future dispensing fees.
Who’s affected: Clinics, EMS providers, pharmacies, billing staff.
Dates/Deadlines: Public notice window runs through Jan 1, 2026; COD Survey window Oct 10–Nov 7 (per HHS procurement). Health and Human Services North Dakota -
What happened: ND Medicaid timely filing/appeals policy tightened as of Oct 1—appeals deemed “improper claim submissions” will be rejected and returned. Health and Human Services North Dakota
Why it matters: Billing workflows and appeal templates must change to avoid denials and cash‑flow delays.
Who’s affected: Hospitals, clinics, RCM vendors.
Dates/Deadlines: In effect now; update policies immediately. Health and Human Services North Dakota
Energy & Utilities (Oil & Gas, Power, Pipelines, Renewables)
-
What happened (UPDATE): After Oct 13 public input on Xcel (NSP) electric rate case (PU‑24‑376), the formal evidentiary hearing is set to begin Dec 1 (week reserved). KVRR Local News
Why it matters: Potential 2025 rate impacts; large power users should prepare testimony/party status and model bill impacts.
Who’s affected: Xcel‑served commercial/industrial customers (e.g., Fargo/Grand Forks areas).
Dates/Deadlines: Hearing begins Dec 1, 2025; see docket for pre‑file deadlines. KVRR Local News -
What happened: PSC posted new notices for 2026 Transmission Facility Cost Recovery riders (OTP PU‑25‑252, NSP PU‑25‑257). psc.nd.gov
Why it matters: Riders can adjust 2026 bills; manufacturers/data centers should monitor and consider intervention.
Who’s affected: OTP/NSP commercial customers statewide.
Dates/Deadlines: Notices filed Oct 9—follow each docket for comment/appearance windows. psc.nd.gov -
What happened (TODAY): Oil & Gas Research Program meeting (ND Industrial Commission) convenes Fri, Oct 17 (9:30–2:30 CT)—project funding discussions. North Dakota Industrial Commission+1
Why it matters: Upstream/midstream vendors can track near‑term grant‑funded opportunities.
Who’s affected: E&P firms, service companies, university/industry researchers.
Dates/Deadlines: Meeting today; broader NDIC dates listed on events page. North Dakota Industrial Commission
Transportation & Logistics
-
What happened: NDDOT:
-
Hay bales must be removed from highway ROW by Nov 1.
-
Devils Lake Driver’s License office closed Oct 22 (service disruption).
-
Seeking public input on statewide long‑range transportation plan (regional workshops upcoming).
-
Scenic Byways/Backways and Small Rural & Tribal‑Owned Business grants updates; SRF (Recreational Roads) applications open. NDDOT
Why it matters: Ag and trucking should plan ROW compliance; licensing closure affects CDL/ID renewals; businesses can engage in planning and apply for small‑business and recreation‑access funding.
Who’s affected: Producers, carriers, driving schools, rural tourism operators, contractors.
Dates/Deadlines: Hay removal by Nov 1; DL office closed Oct 22; programs accepting input/applications now (see NDDOT links). NDDOT
-
Tourism, Hospitality, Retail & Main Street
-
What happened (NEW): Commerce awarded $15M in Destination Development Grants to 23 projects statewide to expand visitor experiences. Commerce | North Dakota+1
Why it matters: Expect RFPs, build‑outs, and vendor opportunities; local shops and short‑term rentals benefit from increased traffic.
Who’s affected: Attractions, outfitters, hotels/STRs, restaurants, event vendors in recipient communities.
Dates/Deadlines: Awards announced Oct 15; watch local project timelines as contracts execute. Commerce | North Dakota -
What happened (NEW): CDBG awards of $3.09M to five communities for infrastructure, public safety, and accessibility projects; not all recipients have formally accepted. Commerce | North Dakota
Why it matters: Construction trades, engineering, and accessibility vendors will see bid opportunities.
Who’s affected: Contractors, architects, materials suppliers in awarded locales.
Dates/Deadlines: Project bid windows to be posted locally; monitor city/county procurement sites. Commerce | North Dakota
Technology, UAS & Data Centers
-
What happened (NEW): At the Grand Forks UAS Summit (Oct 14–15), Armada announced partnership with Skydio for mobile AI “data factories”—truck‑deployable compute pods for real‑time drone data processing. https://www.valleynewslive.com
Why it matters: Creates near‑term contracting/training opportunities in UAS ops, edge computing, power, and site services.
Who’s affected: UAS firms, IT integrators, electricians, logistics providers, training programs.
Dates/Deadlines: Post‑summit demos and pilots rolling out—contact vendors now for partnership windows. https://www.valleynewslive.com
Agriculture & Food (Incl. Cottage Foods)
-
What happened (RECENT): $2.5M in Specialty Crop Block Grants awarded to 15 ND projects (potatoes, beans, peas, trade). North Dakota Department of Agriculture
Why it matters: Processors and researchers may see sub‑grant and vendor demand; growers can engage with funded trials and market efforts.
Who’s affected: Specialty crop producers, food processors, ag‑research teams.
Dates/Deadlines: 2026 SCBG application window opens early Dec 2025 (Commerce/NDDA to post details). North Dakota Department of Agriculture
Education & Training Providers
-
What happened (RECENT): NDCDE assisted DPI with new virtual education guidance clarifying district discretion and best practices; DPI also noted federal staffing changes don’t affect current funding to ND schools. cde.nd.gov+1
Why it matters: Private schools and training providers can align offerings with clarified expectations and sustain online programs without funding disruption.
Who’s affected: K‑12 districts, private schools, online course providers, tutors.
Dates/Deadlines: Guidance distributed at fall conferences; monitor DPI site for updates. cde.nd.gov
Government & Nonprofit Service Providers
-
What happened (NEW): Bank of North Dakota launched Furloughed Federal Employee Relief Program (FFERP)—2% bridge loans via local lenders for workers impacted by the Oct 1 federal shutdown; applications accepted Oct 10–Jan 2 (or until shutdown ends). bnd.nd.gov+1
Why it matters: Stabilizes local spending and nonprofit caseloads; lenders and employers can share with affected staff to reduce hardship.
Who’s affected: Federal employees/contractors in ND, lenders, community nonprofits.
Dates/Deadlines: Apply Oct 10, 2025–Jan 2, 2026 (or earlier if shutdown resolves). bnd.nd.gov
Share your knowledge with others in your industry! Invite them to join NDBU today!