As recreation and quality of life become front-and-center issues for citizens, we’re seeing communities make investments in scratching that itch. In Duluth, that investment looks like a 40-mile mountain bike and walking trail that connects the entire city. And just like that, Duluth is a destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald
Mountain bikes and outdoor recreation are making news in both North Dakota and Minnesota. Apparently, trails — both the terrestrial and water kind are good at attracting people. In the Pembina Gorge, their building one to entice the other into coming.
Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald
A new variety of elm tree, the Prairie Expedition Elm, was discovered South of Fargo among a stand of trees taken by Dutch elm disease. The disease-resistant tree was cloned and is now being cultivated commercially. It grows tall, grows fast, and makes great shade. The Grand Forks Herald has the story.
Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald
In the greater Grand Forks area, there are more than 8,800 foreign-born residents living and working. And the manner in which those individuals are welcomed in and made to feel at home is the goal of a new ‘Welcoming City’ initiative spearheaded by the City of Grand Forks. Read more about it on The Grand
Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald
In North Dakota, more than 50% of drug arrests involve marijuana. Combine that with initiatives to fully legalize the drug and a patchwork of federal, state, and local laws that criminalize possession and what we have is a challenge for law enforcement and lawmakers. The Grand Forks Herald has a primer on the factors that
Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald
Industrial hemp? Not surprising. Grapes? You’ve probably heard about a local vineyard. But shrimp? Yep, that’s on the list as well. What do they have in common? They’re not our widely grown crops, but more and more small farmers are embracing the entrepreneurial spirit and taking risks on less-traditional ideas. Catch the story from the Grand
Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald
A couple months back, the Forum editorial staff took aim at the idea of diversity within our culture. The final paragraph, sums on a set of strong arguments. “Easy to overlook, these are reminders that we should celebrate our increasing ethnic and social diversity, not seek to wind back the clock and pretend that we
Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald
Elected officials in Grand Forks are opening their eyes to a new financial reality — funding from the federal government is coming more slowly and less regularly. It means many programs, particularly those that fall under the umbrella of Community Development Block Grants have a less secure future. It matters for Minot because local municipalities
Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald
Here in Minot, we’re always looking to attract new businesses and industry. And one of the niches we’re actively looking to capture are businesses with roots tied to our Scandinavian heritage. But we’re not the only community working to attract these overseas businesses. Grand Forks has also identified the opportunity, and leaders there are also
Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald
Like Minot State, enrollment numbers at UND are down this year. But the total number doesn’t always tell the whole story. Andrew Haffner with the Grand Forks Herald interviews UND’s Director of Admissions for a deeper look at the numbers and the demographics and cultural shifts shaping them.
Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald
The Dakota Access Pipeline has been online since June, and early indicators suggest that it’s reduced the cost of delivering North Dakota oil to market and added revenue to the state’s tax collections. But is it a game changer for the Bakken play? According to this Washington Post article featured in the Grand Forks Herald,
Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald
Few infrastructure developments are more contentious these days than oil pipeline projects. We’ve had our own battles here in North Dakota, but in Minnesota getting pipelines approved is more difficult yet. But with regards to the Line 3 Pipeline from NE North Dakota to Superior Wisconsin, Enbridge is pushing back against regulatory slowplaying with facts
Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald
Grand Forks Mayor Mike Brown has taken up the general mission of ‘doing it better’, and one of the first places he’s starting is on the roads in Grand Forks. And an accidentally created litmus test is his newest tool. It’s one part of a larger commentary where Mayor Brown provides a little direct communication
Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald
In Minot, the Mayor’s Committee on Addiction met this week. When it comes to dealing with the effects of the opioid and larger addiction problem, they’re going to divide and hopefully conquer. They’ll be splitting into several sub-committees to deal with different arms of the larger animal. It’s important work, but the method also invites
Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald
The response could be described as a lot of interest. Earlier in July, the ND Department of Health asked for a letter of intent for parties interested in participating in the business side of the state’s medical marijuana industry. That request drew letters from 97 different parties. The formal application process is expected to open
Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald
The challenges and methods for dealing with those challenges of cities across the region is strikingly similar. Job creation and economic growth are challenges that nearly every smaller community deals with, and in Crookston, MN, they’ve been managing those efforts from two different organizations. But a lack of resources and overlapping missions forced them into
Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald