Central ND News

The North Dakota State Museum and Heritage Center auditorium was filled with over 100 attendees for the inaugural North Dakota Rural Planning Symposium. The event aimed to foster connections and strategies for rural communities in the state.

Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken highlighted the importance of planning in ensuring that rural areas remain vibrant and sustainable. "Rural North Dakota is evolving, and planning is key to ensuring communities remain vibrant and sustainable," he stated. "Events like this help our rural community developers connect, share ideas, and move us forward in continuing to build strong, resilient towns throughout the state."

The symposium was organized by the Commerce Office of Community Development & Rural Prosperity. It attracted community developers, policymakers, and industry leaders from across all eight regions of North Dakota.

Nicole Kempf, City Auditor of Ellendale, shared insights on how her city is adapting to changing conditions through innovative solutions. She noted the collaboration with Applied Digital as a positive force in housing efforts. "It was inspiring to hear the actionable solutions shared today, and I'm eager to implement them in Ellendale," Kempf remarked.

International speaker Becky McCray opened the symposium with a presentation. As a Rural Development Expert and Co-Founder of SAVEYOUR.town, she praised North Dakota communities for their strong sense of identity. "North Dakota communities possess a remarkable sense of identity," McCray observed. "Their strong community spirit and love for the outdoors are invaluable assets."

The event featured discussions on various topics including rural development funding opportunities, mobilizing volunteers and advocates, as well as a workshop focused on building idea-friendly communities.

For more information about the Commerce Office of Community Development & Rural Prosperity, interested parties can visit their website.