The long-anticipated Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 final rule has been published on October 15, 2024. This landmark regulation lays out critical cybersecurity requirements for defense contractors to enhance their cybersecurity posture. So, what’s next?

“The Automate ND program received overwhelming interest, with 42 projects across 21 communities requesting over $11.8 million. We were able to fund 18 projects, showing a clear demand from businesses looking to leverage automation as a solution to workforce constraints,” said Shayden Akason, Deputy Director of Economic Development and Finance at Commerce. “To keep up with growing demand, it’s vital that we recruit and retain a qualified workforce while also supporting automation investments. North Dakota has a history of innovation, and this program is another step in helping businesses stay at the forefront of innovation." 

The BSC-led XR for VR initiative is a collaboration across several North Dakota-based partners. The XR for VR project is named for its strategy to use extended reality (XR) to close the career awareness gap and achieve competitive integrated employment in vocational rehabilitation (VR) and aims to enhance career advancement opportunities for North Dakotans with disabilities. 

It’s really enjoyable when times are booming and certainly, we know we don’t rest during challenging times- we hustle- that’s just the North Dakota way. The manufacturing industry cycles, and it is key/ critical to know how to best navigate these cycles to maintain and grow operations.

The “Careers in Manufacturing” infographic highlights why to choose a career in manufacturing, the top five manufacturing industries experiencing employment growth, various careers along with the average pay, and more! It can inspire the next generation of workers, motivate mid-career professionals, and raise awareness of the many opportunities the manufacturing industry offers. 

Click on the infographic to view in full. →→→→

November 6
Future-Proofing Your Business:
Cybersecurity Strategies for 2025 and Beyond
Webinar

November 14
Lean 101

November 19-20
Basics of HACCP

December 12
Lean 101

January 14
Lean Enterprise High Performance Manufacturing Training

January 16
Lean 101

March 4
Lean High Performance Manufacturing Training

Lean + Leadership for Supervisors
During this training, you’ll be exploring your leadership values, behaviors, and skills. Everything covered is designed to be relevant to your work, so you'll realize results in your current leadership role when living out the experience. L+L Info
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Lean Six Sigma
This is ideal for companies that need to increase customer satisfaction and decrease operating costs. The goal of Lean Six Sigma is to eliminate waste and streamline processes, leading to greater efficiencies and better customer satisfaction. LSS Info 

Becoming a Leader

An important stage in someone’s career development is learning how to stand back and observe themselves objectively. How do I do that you ask? – by curiosity instead of judgement. We are more than our jobs, even though this can be hard to see at times. Being able to see ourselves on how we do our day-to-day jobs and how we live our life allows us to see our choices. Good and bad. This gives us in-site on our own Leadership abilities. No one is a perfect Leader.

Business owners track many key performance indicators on a regular basis, but working capital might be the most important of them all.

Working capital is a measurement of current assets minus current liabilities, making it directly correlated to a company’s cash flow. 

Let’s take a closer look at how to optimize working capital and put it to good use for your business.

Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network

Impact Dakota has expanded and launched the Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network (SCOIN). 

SCOIN is a no cost, 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. 

DO YOU HAVE A GAP? ARE YOU ABLE TO FILL A GAP?

— Open Opportunities —