Today’s Business Briefing

Nov 18, 2025

Here’s today’s North Dakota Business Daily Briefing. Only new or meaningfully updated items with impact in the next ~30–45 days are included.

Government / Nonprofit Service Providers

Medicaid Medical Advisory Committee meets today (virtual).

What happened: ND Health & Human Services is holding the MMAC meeting today, 3–5 p.m. CT (Teams) with an agenda posted this morning. Health and Human Services North Dakota+1
Why it matters: Policy and operations updates here can affect Medicaid coverage, provider billing, and timelines for program changes.
Who’s affected: Hospitals, clinics, behavioral health agencies, billing firms, and nonprofits serving Medicaid members.
Dates/deadlines: Today, Nov 18, 3–5 p.m. CT (join link in notice). Health and Human Services North Dakota

Lignite Research Program meeting this afternoon.

What happened: The ND Industrial Commission’s Lignite Research Program meets today, 1:30–4:30 p.m. CT (BSC National Energy Center of Excellence, Rm 335; remote access available). North Dakota Industrial Commission
Why it matters: Funding priorities and project discussions influence 2026 work for coal supply chain, power plant upgrades, carbon management, and related contractors.
Who’s affected: Mine operators, utilities, EPCs, environmental/engineering firms, equipment suppliers.
Dates/deadlines: Meeting today; next LRP application deadline is Apr 1, 2026 (for planning). North Dakota Industrial Commission

Grand Forks 42nd St & DeMers Underpass—City Council presentation posted.

What happened: Project page now links to the Nov 18 City Council presentation for the rail underpass project by GFK. NDDOT
Why it matters: Early look at staging, access impacts, and schedule helps nearby industrial/commercial tenants and carriers plan freight and customer access.
Who’s affected: Airport-area businesses, shippers, contractors, and property managers along the corridor.
Dates/deadlines: Presentation dated Nov 18; sign up for project alerts on the page. NDDOT

Minot downtown reconstruction input meeting (next week).

What happened: NDDOT announced a Nov 20, 6:30–8:30 p.m. public input meeting on 3rd St & Central Ave reconstruction. NDDOT
Why it matters: Expect 2026 access and traffic changes; businesses can flag loading, parking, and detour needs now.
Who’s affected: Downtown Minot retailers, restaurants, offices, delivery services, event venues.
Dates/deadlines: Thu, Nov 20 meeting. NDDOT

Child-care business finance training (virtual) is tonight.

What happened: Commerce hosts “Financial Foundations for Child Care Business,” 6:30–8:30 p.m. CT (also offered Nov 25 & Dec 2). Commerce | North Dakota+1
Why it matters: Practical budgeting, pricing, and cash-flow tools for home-based and center operators; helpful for lenders and TA partners, too.
Who’s affected: Child-care entrepreneurs, home daycares, small centers, accountants advising them.
Dates/deadlines: Tonight, Nov 18; next sessions Nov 25 and Dec 2. Commerce | North Dakota

Fargo sales/use tax boundary change effective Jan 1.

What happened: The Tax Commissioner posted 2026 local boundary updates noting a City of Fargo change for sales/use tax effective Jan 1, 2026 (per Resolution 1740954). North Dakota Department of Trust Lands
Why it matters: Marketplace facilitators and sellers must update tax mapping to avoid mis-collection and penalties; check your POS/ERP rate files.
Who’s affected: All in-state and remote sellers shipping to Fargo addresses; marketplaces; CPAs/bookkeepers.
Dates/deadlines: Takes effect Jan 1, 2026—update systems in December. North Dakota Department of Trust Lands

Air permit public comment—Dakota Yeast (Fargo) open now.

What happened: DEQ Air Quality posted the Permit to Construct draft for Dakota Yeast, LLC; public comment runs Nov 7–Dec 6, 2025 (docs and notice available). ND Department of Environmental Quality+1
Why it matters: Neighboring businesses may want to review emissions and construction timelines; processors and manufacturers can study conditions as a template for similar applications.
Who’s affected: Food processors, nearby commercial tenants, industrial park property owners, environmental consultants.
Dates/deadlines: Comments due by Dec 6, 2025. ND Department of Environmental Quality