Central ND News

Businesses in Bismarck Mandan, like many across the United States, face challenges in hiring qualified employees. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has noted a significant decrease in workforce participation since the pandemic, with two million fewer people in the workforce.

In response, the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC is focusing on attracting talent to the area. To aid this effort, they have developed the Make Your Mark website as a resource for talent attraction and recruitment.

Nathan Schneider, Vice President of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC, explains: “We developed Make Your Mark to encourage anyone who lives in Bismarck-Mandan – or is considering moving here – to find a place where they feel comfortable. The goal is to help people make meaningful connections and fall in love with North Dakota.”

The Make Your Mark website offers several benefits for local businesses and community leaders:

1. **Enhance Recruitment Efforts**: As Bismarck Mandan's population grows from 109,300 in 2010 to an expected 141,600 within five years, businesses can use Make Your Mark as a tool to attract potential employees by showcasing the area's benefits.

2. **Support Existing Team Members**: With statistics showing that 58% of adults find it difficult to make friends, Make Your Mark helps team members connect with local volunteer groups and arts organizations. This can improve employee retention by enhancing their quality of life outside work.

3. **Promote Local Organizations**: The dynamic nature of Make Your Mark allows it to feature local businesses like Papa’s Pumpkin Patch and Mandan Market Nights. Businesses are encouraged to share their unique stories with the EDC for potential features on the site.

The Chamber EDC remains committed to assisting local businesses through these initiatives.