Business Briefing: 10-17-25

by | Oct 17, 2025 | Business Briefings | 0 comments

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:

    1. Hay bales must be removed from highway ROW by Nov 1.

    2. Devils Lake Driver’s License office closed Oct 22 (service disruption).

    3. Seeking public input on statewide long‑range transportation plan (regional workshops upcoming).

    4. 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

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