Impact Dakota is excited to release that their manufacturing clients reported the following economic impacts. These results are based on third-party, confidential client surveys from 2024 Q2 - 2025 Q1. 

ND loves manufacturing! The industry accounts for 7.6% of the state’s GDP. Over 28,700 North Dakotans are employed in the industry – that’s 6.8% of the workforce. Every manufacturing job looks different, just like each worker’s background looks different too. Technology and innovation have changed how workers are attracted, retained, and trained in this sector. Each job is important to each business and the success of our state. Impact Dakota and GNDC teamed up to spotlight this workforce.

We are now accepting nominations to showcase Faces of Manufacturing - demonstrating the diversity in a vital industry and showcasing the opportunities that are here in North Dakota. We want to celebrate the creators; we know you do too!

Nominations close June 20th! 

Across North Dakota, manufacturers are working diligently to meet production demands, but many are faced with a familiar challenge: finding and retaining skilled workers. At the same time, a capable and motivated group of job seekers—individuals with disabilities—are often left out of traditional recruitment 

pipelines. The XR for VR project, led by Bismarck State College is designed to change that by creating a new, inclusive workforce pipeline focused on careers in manufacturing.

Impact Dakota and Iviry are hosting cybersecurity workshops addressing CMMC compliance in June — check out www.impactdakota.com/events for dates and registration information. 

In today’s rapidly evolving economy, workforce development is more critical than ever. North Dakota employers are finding innovative ways to address talent shortages, improve employee retention, and remain competitive. One such opportunity is the Technical Skills Training Grant, a program designed to support businesses in their efforts to upskill and train their workforce.

Individuals with disabilities are dedicated, skilled and eager to work. They’re an
untapped talent pool that can make a big difference in meeting today’s workforce
demands.

North Dakota Health and Human Services’ Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) connects
employers with qualified workers to help with their staffing needs. VR also assists
employers in retaining valuable employees who may develop a long-term injury, illness,
or impairment, so they can continue to work.

June 9
OSHA 511 - ND Safety Council Event
Bismarck

June 10
Lean Leadership for Supervisors
Fargo

June 11
Lean Leadership for Supervisors
Dickinson

June 17
Lean Leadership for Supervisors
Grand Forks

June 18
Lean Enterprise High Performance Manufacturing Training
Dickinson

June 24
Cybersecurity Compliance Workshop
Bismarck

June 26
Cybersecurity Compliance Workshop
Minot

July 15-17
FOOD SAFETY: Preventive Controls for Human Food
Dickinson

The manufacturing landscape in 2025 is not merely an evolution of technological advancements; it is profoundly shaped by the political and economic shifts of recent years. While global trends towards digitalization, automation, and sustainability continue, the real-world implications of policies, particularly those impacting trade and domestic support, have introduced a new layer of complexity, demanding a revised approach to strategy and resilience.

By Josh Herbold, Impact Dakota Board Member
Senior Vice President | Customer Relationship Manager - Bremer Bank

Artificial intelligence has rapidly emerged as a transformative force across multiple industries, with manufacturing showing some of the most promise. Manufacturers have been at the forefront of developing and implementing intelligent systems and AI technologies, including machine learning, natural language processing, robotics and more.

The 2025 ExporTech™ program recently wrapped up. A big thank you to the North Dakota Trade Office for their partnership in presenting the program. In addition, thank you to the presenters for sharing their time and knowledge with our group: U.S. Commercial Service Rural Export Center, Anchor Marketing, Titan Machinery, Valley Worldwide, Saul Ewing LLP, Mike Allocca, U.S. Small Business Administration, EXIM Bank.

Congratulations to the participants! American Bean - Nicholas Becker; Vaderstad North America - Jordan Buffett, Jenaah McLeod-Hanson, Nelson Christoferson; Bargain Basement - Nwaka Sunday Ukoba; Verdethos - Lisa Kosciuk (Esberger), Kayla Deitch; and RDO Equipment Co. - Emery Bell. 

Impact Dakota has expanded and launched the North Dakota Supply Chain Connectivity Program. 

This is a national initiative from NIST MEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership) designed to significantly help North Dakota Manufacturers link together to build local and regional suppliers and potentially customers and thereby strengthen North Dakota manufacturing. 

— Open Opportunities —