Today’s Business Briefing

Nov 17, 2025

Government & Nonprofit Service Providers

Executive order: Interagency Council on Homelessness (NEW).

What happened: Gov. Kelly Armstrong created the North Dakota Interagency Council on Homelessness to coordinate state agencies and providers. North Dakota Office of the Governor+1
Why it matters: Expect tighter cross‑agency coordination (and potential new grant/program alignments) affecting shelters, housing, and supportive‑service nonprofits.
Who’s affected: Nonprofits, local governments, faith‑based providers, health systems partnering on housing instability.
Dates/deadlines: Council stands up immediately; annual report to the Governor required (see order). North Dakota Office of the Governor

Drinking Water SRF plan & hearing (UPDATED).

What happened: DEQ posted the draft 2026 DWSRF Intended Use Plan and set a Dec 3, 10:30 a.m. CT public hearing (in‑person Bismarck + Teams). ND Department of Environmental Quality+1
Why it matters: Sets funding priorities for water projects—affecting city utilities and contractors bidding in 2026.
Who’s affected: Municipal utilities, rural water systems, engineering, construction trades.
Dates/deadlines: Hearing Dec 3; public comment per notice. ND Department of Environmental Quality

Ethics Commission authority dispute (NEW).

What happened: Secretary of State asked AG for a formal opinion on the Ethics Commission’s advisory‑opinion powers; selection committee meets Wed amid vacancies. North Dakota Monitor
Why it matters: Could impact lobbying/campaign‑finance guidance businesses and trade groups rely on.
Who’s affected: Companies with PACs, lobbyists, and associations engaging state officials.
Dates/deadlines: Commission and selection committee meet Wed, Nov 19 (see article). North Dakota Monitor

Provider payments—bank routing change (NEW).

What happened: BCBSND reports elevated ACH returns after Bremer Bank’s integration with Old National; providers must update banking info. BCBSND
Why it matters: Avoid delayed remittances/cash‑flow hits.
Who’s affected: All BCBSND‑contracted providers and billing firms.
Dates/deadlines: Update immediately; BCBSND already changed records as of Nov 7 but provider profiles must be current. BCBSND

Behavioral health advisory meeting (TODAY).

What happened: North Dakota Behavioral Health Advisory Council meets Nov 17, 1–3 p.m. CT. Grand Forks Government
Why it matters: Policy/program input opportunity for mental‑health and SUD providers.
Who’s affected: Behavioral health agencies, payers, advocates.
Dates/deadlines: Meeting today (agenda on HHS site). Grand Forks Government

First utility‑scale battery storage proposals in ND (NEW).

What happened: PSC announced hearings for two battery energy storage systems (Burke & Ward counties). Initial hearing Nov 20; follow‑up Dec 19. North Dakota Monitor
Why it matters: Could bolster grid reliability and open work for EPCs, electricians, and suppliers; also signals how PSC may treat future storage projects.
Who’s affected: Utilities, IPPs, oilfield power users, large C&I customers, construction trades.
Dates/deadlines: Hearings Nov 20 & Dec 19 (see PSC notice). North Dakota Monitor

I‑94 Business ramp closure, Mandan (TODAY).

What happened: The WB I‑94 Business Loop on‑ramp at Mandan Ave. closes Nov 17 for concrete repair; detour signed. Health and Human Services North Dakota
Why it matters: Short‑term shipping/commute detours for local businesses.
Who’s affected: Mandan shippers, retailers, commuters.
Dates/deadlines: Closure starts today; follow NDDOT updates. Health and Human Services North Dakota

Grand Forks local road closure (TODAY).

What happened: N. 55th St. closed from Gateway Dr. to 21st Ave. N starting Nov 17. Grand Forks Government
Why it matters: Impacts access to industrial/commercial sites near GFK.
Who’s affected: Logistics firms, airport‑area businesses.
Dates/deadlines: Starts today; check city notices for reopen date. Grand Forks Government

State Superintendent transition (NEW).

What happened: DPI’s Kirsten Baesler announced retirement effective Nov 24. ND Tax Commissioner
Why it matters: Expect near‑term leadership transition; potential timing shifts on approvals, grants, assessments/vendor communications.
Who’s affected: School districts, education vendors, training providers.
Dates/deadlines: Nov 24 transition date. ND Tax Commissioner

Funding boards meeting this week (NEW).

What happened: ADD Fund Committee meets Nov 19 (value‑added ag financing); APUC meets Nov 19–20. North Dakota Department of Agriculture+1
Why it matters: Award decisions affect plant expansions, processing, and commercialization timelines.
Who’s affected: Value‑added processors, ag startups, equipment & construction vendors.
Dates/deadlines: Meetings Nov 19–20; next grant cycles to be announced by NDDA. North Dakota Department of Agriculture

Cottage food & makers—retail exposure (UPDATED).

What happened: Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcase—Fargo runs Nov 21–22 (Scheels Arena). prideofdakota.nd.gov
Why it matters: Sales opportunity and wholesale leads ahead of the holidays.
Who’s affected: Cottage food producers, crafters, small brands, retailers.
Dates/deadlines: Nov 21–22; exhibitor info on Pride of Dakota site. prideofdakota.nd.gov

AI/data‑center buildout update (NEW).

What happened: Applied Digital expanded its ABB partnership to cover 300MW at the planned Polaris Forge 2 campus near Fargo (Nov 14); first 50MW at Ellendale came online Nov 8. Data Center Dynamics+1
Why it matters: Near‑term procurement and trades demand; long‑term power/water planning and potential enterprise/AI hiring.
Who’s affected: Contractors, suppliers, utilities, enterprise IT, staffing firms.
Dates/deadlines: Phased energization underway; additional offtake contracts already disclosed in Oct. Reuters

Q3 2025 taxable sales/purchases (NEW).

What happened: State Tax Commissioner released Q3 figures; growth noted in Retail (+3.0%), Construction (+4.5%), Utilities (+12.4%), etc. ND Tax Commissioner
Why it matters: Signals end‑of‑year demand and budgeting benchmarks for multiple sectors.
Who’s affected: All sectors planning inventory, staffing, and capex.
Dates/deadlines: Use Q3 data in holiday/first‑quarter planning. ND Tax Commissioner

Child‑care business finance training (NEW).

What happened: Commerce hosts “Financial Foundations for Child Care Business” on Nov 18, 6:30–8:30 p.m. CT (virtual). Commerce | North Dakota
Why it matters: Practical budgeting/cash‑flow help for home‑based centers and micro‑providers.
Who’s affected: Child‑care entrepreneurs, home daycare operators.
Dates/deadlines: Nov 18; additional sessions Nov 25 & Dec 2. Commerce | North Dakota

No NEW or UPDATED state/municipal actions noted since Friday (zoning, STR, marketplace‑facilitator rules, fees). Continue monitoring city agendas in Fargo, Bismarck, GF.

~ As always, we are looking out for YOU.