Here’s your ND Business Daily Briefing (Oct 7, 2025) — key developments that may affect businesses across sectors in the next 30–45 days: Scroll down to your industry
📊 Economic & Policy / Statewide
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ACA Premium Tax Credit Expiration Risk
Enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits are set to expire at the end of 2025 unless Congress acts.
Why it matters: Health insurance costs could jump sharply for individuals and small‑business owners.
Who’s affected: Farmers, solo entrepreneurs, small firms offering health benefits.
Deadline/Timing: End of 2025.
InForum -
HB 1584: New Pharmacy Benefits Manager Regulation
North Dakota passed HB 1584 to establish new rules and enforcement for pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs).
Why it matters: PBMs’ fees and practices affect prescription drug costs and reimbursements.
Who’s affected: Health care providers, pharmacies, any business that offers prescription drug plans.
Effective / enforcement date: (Bill text sets effective/expiration dates) LegiScan -
SB 2375: Dental Provider Negotiations
SB 2375 provides legal authority for dental providers to engage in joint negotiations with insurers.
Why it matters: Could shift bargaining leverage, potentially affecting reimbursement rates.
Who’s affected: Dentists, dental clinics, insurer networks.
Status / effective: Passed / will be enacted according to legislative scheduling. LegiScan
🏛️ Grants, Incentives & Finance
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Innovate ND Now Open (Voucher Reimbursement Program)
Entrepreneurs can apply from September 9 through October 2 for Innovate ND, which reimburses up to $50,000 for customer & market research expenses (up to $25,000 per phase).
Why it matters: Helps validate product/market fit without upfront risk.
Who’s affected: Startups, new product developers, innovation-driven small businesses.
Deadline: October 2, 2025.
Commerce | North Dakota -
Technical Skills Training & Operation Intern Grants
The ND Department of Commerce offers grants:
• Technical Skills Training — funding for non‑degree upskilling programs.
• Operation Intern — support for creating internship/apprenticeship positions.
Why it matters: Helps firms build workforce capacity and reduce training burden.
Who’s affected: Small/medium businesses, nonprofits, employers planning to upskill workers.
Timing / open period: Ongoing via Commerce grant programs.
Commerce | North Dakota -
Base Retention Grant Program Closing Soon
ND Commerce has base retention grant funds (~$850,000 for Minot, $250,000 each for Grand Forks & Fargo) targeting retention of military‑related missions and community support.
Why it matters: Communities with bases may secure funding to augment quality-of-life, recruitment, or programming.
Who’s affected: Local governments, organizations serving military/airbase communities.
Timeframe: This biennium ends June 30, 2025 (so timing is tight).
Commerce | North Dakota -
USDA Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG)
USDA’s RBDG provides funds for rural economic development, planning, or expansion.
Why it matters: Offers non‑state capital for rural business upgrades & expansion.
Who’s affected: Rural businesses, especially in non-urban counties.
Deadline / window: Depends on USDA announcement cycles.
Rural Development
🌾 Agriculture / Agribusiness
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Pesticide‑Liability Shield Law (Roundup / Glyphosate)
ND enacted new law stating that federal pesticide labeling compliance satisfies state warning standards, limiting certain product liability claims.
Why it matters: May reduce legal exposure for agrochemical firms and suppliers.
Who’s affected: Farmers, crop protection companies, seed and chemical distributors.
Effective date: Law effective since August 1, 2025.
AP News
🏨 Retail, Hospitality, E‑commerce, Tourism
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Theodore Roosevelt Library Uses State Line of Credit
The foundation behind the Roosevelt Presidential Library has drawn $53 million (of $70M) from the Bank of North Dakota line of credit to continue construction.
Why it matters: Will drive construction, tourism traffic, and local economic activity in Medora & surrounding areas.
Who’s affected: Construction firms, local hospitality, vendors in Medora / tourism zone.
Timing: Draws ongoing through year end.
North Dakota Monitor
🚚 Transportation / Infrastructure / Utilities
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LIHEAP Energy Assistance Payments Begin Oct 1
Eligible households will receive automatic energy bill credits (up to $1,100) starting Oct 1 for heating season.
Why it matters: Helps residents pay utility bills, reducing risk of utility cutoffs and easing cost stress.
Who’s affected: Households, especially in rural areas; utility providers.
Start date: October 1, 2025 (through May 31 for heating)
The Sun
🧰 Construction / Real Estate / Zoning / Home‑Occupation
(No major new statewide notices found in last 24 hours specific to ND zoning or home‑occupation rules.)
🧑💼 Small / Solo / Gig / Home‑Based / E‑commerce / Cottage Food / Nonprofits
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SBA Disaster Loans for Drought‑Impacted Counties
SBA is offering low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans to small businesses and nonprofits in counties affected by drought (Billings, Golden Valley, McKenzie, Slope).
Why it matters: Access to affordable capital for recovery and operations.
Who’s affected: Small businesses, nonprofits (excluding traditional farmers) in designated counties.
Eligibility / period: Now open based on SBA declaration.
Small Business Administration -
Nonprofit Grants – Statewide Greatest Needs
ND Community Foundation offers “Statewide Greatest Needs” grants up to $5,000 for nonprofits or governmental agencies.
Why it matters: Small nonprofits can fund priority programs or bridge gaps.
Who’s affected: Nonprofits across ND.
Deadline / cycle: Annually (check NDCF website).
North Dakota Community Foundation
⚖️ Legal / Court / Litigation
(No new ND-specific court rulings affecting business rules discovered in this cycle.)
We have added references so you are aware of where we sourced our information. Please let us know if there is any sectors we’ve missed that you’d like included in the future.