The North Dakota Department of Commerce has awarded nearly $270,000 to three regional projects aimed at addressing workforce shortages and improving employee retention in healthcare, energy and education.
The funding comes through the state’s Regional Workforce Impact Program, which supports locally developed strategies designed around the workforce needs of individual communities and industries.
“RWIP continues to help industries and communities design approaches that meet the unique workforce needs of their region,” Commerce Deputy Commissioner and Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howe said. “These projects demonstrate thoughtful, targeted solutions that help North Dakota remain competitive and resilient.”
The Tri-County Regional Development Council received the largest award at $130,100. The organization plans to develop a workforce strategy focused on the energy, utility and healthcare sectors, bringing together employers, local governments, educational institutions, workforce organizations and community groups.
The Central Regional Education Association was awarded $79,300 for an initiative focused on educator retention. The project will measure educators’ workplace experiences and use the findings to develop locally tailored recommendations intended to improve working conditions, management responsiveness and workforce stability across participating school districts.
The City of Beach received $60,000 to develop a regional workforce strategy for healthcare providers. The effort will bring healthcare organizations together to address shared staffing and long-term workforce challenges, including participation from CHI St. Alexius Health in Beulah.
The three awards total $269,400.
The Regional Workforce Impact Program is designed to give communities flexibility to develop workforce strategies based on regional needs rather than relying on a uniform statewide approach.