Burgum: Grand Farm Innovation Facility will help keep ND on the cutting edge of agriculture technology

Governor participates in groundbreaking for facility near Casselton; state provided $10M matching grant to advance autonomous ag technology

Gov. Doug Burgum on Tuesday participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Grand Farm Innovation Facility near Casselton, highlighting how the new home of Grand Farm will foster innovation in autonomous agriculture technology.

“North Dakota continues to be an innovative leader in ag technology. Today’s groundbreaking marks a milestone for Grand Farm’s private-public partnership, which will have a significant impact on our region and the acceleration of innovation in autonomous agriculture,” Burgum said. “Every major step in proving the Grand Farm concept and commercializing this technology keeps North Dakota on the cutting edge of autonomous agriculture and increases the potential for this technology to improve productivity for farmers and help address our state’s workforce challenge through automation. We’re grateful for all of the private and public partners who continue to drive this important initiative.”

Burgum announced in February that the North Dakota Department of Commerce had selected Grand Farm, which is led by Emerging Prairie, for a $10 million matching grant to advance autonomous agriculture technology in North Dakota. Federal funds for the matching grant were included in Burgum’s Accelerate ND plan in September 2021 and approved by the 67th Legislative Assembly during its special session last November.

In addition to Burgum, speakers at Tuesday's groundbreaking included former Gov. Jack Dalrymple, current U.S. Senator and former Gov. John Hoeven, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and former Gov. Ed Schafer, state Reps. Don Vigesaa and Scott Meyer, entrepreneur Gary Tharaldson and Grand Farm board member Sarah Lovas.

Burgum issues statement on Talon Metals announcing battery minerals processing facility in central ND

Gov. Burgum on Wednesday released the following statement after Talon Metals announced plans to build a facility in central North Dakota to process nickel and other minerals for batteries from raw ore mined in Minnesota, expanding domestic manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles and the electrical grid.

“We’ve worked hard in North Dakota to create a stable tax and regulatory environment that attracts capital and talent, and today’s announcement that Talon Metals plans to create 150 jobs and invest more than $400 million in a battery minerals processing facility sends a strong signal that North Dakota is open for business,” Burgum said. “By increasing domestic production of nickel and other battery minerals and reducing our reliance on foreign sources, we can strengthen our economy, our communities and our national security while continuing to grow North Dakota’s status as a powerhouse for the nation. We appreciate the U.S. Department of Energy selecting Talon’s proposed facility for a $114 million cost-share grant through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the project, as well as Talon’s commitment to working with local communities to ensure the project has broad support.”

The project represents a nearly $433 million investment, including the $114 million DOE grant (27% of total project cost) which is subject to final negotiation between the company and DOE.

Talon is the majority owner and operator of the Tamarack Nickel Project in central Minnesota, currently the only high-grade nickel-copper-iron-cobalt deposit under development in the United States. Pending environmental reviews and permitting in both Minnesota and North Dakota, Talon Nickel (USA) LLC plans to transport raw ore from the Tamarack mine by rail to the proposed Battery Minerals Processing Facility next in Mercer County.

Ultimately, the project aims to leverage an existing industrial brownfields site to support clean energy development and North Dakota’s all-of-the-above energy strategy, which Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford continue to promote with a focus on innovation over regulation to advance energy development and environmental stewardship.

Burgum attends ribbon cutting for new fitness center awarded to Solen School by DON’T QUIT! campaign

Gov. Burgum and National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils (NFGFC) Chairman Jake “Body by Jake” Steinfeld participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday for a new state-of-the-art, $100,000 fitness center awarded to Solen School as part of the DON’T QUIT! Campaign.

Solen School was one of three North Dakota schools selected in May by the campaign to receive a fitness center for demonstrating leadership in getting and keeping their students fit. The other schools selected were Jim Hill Middle School in Minot and Rolla School in Rolla.

For more information on the National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils visit natgovfit.org.

2022 North Dakota Governors Photo Contest winners announced

Gov. Burgum along with North Dakota Commerce Tourism and Marketing Director Sara Otte Coleman, North Dakota Council on the Arts Executive Director Kim Konikow and Director of North Dakota AAA Gene LaDoucer on Monday presented the winning submissions from the 19th annual North Dakota Governor’s Photo Contest at the Morton Mandan Public Library.

Launched in 2004, the Governor’s Photo Contest encourages North Dakota amateur photographers to submit photos that capture the unique things to see and do in North Dakota.

“Today we celebrate these talented photographers who captured the essence of what makes North Dakota a great place to visit, live, work and raise a family,” Burgum said. “They do a fantastic job of highlighting the wide-open spaces, world-class outdoor adventures, and diverse opportunities available in our communities.”

Photographers submitted photos to one or more of the following categories: Recreation, Road Trips, Badlands Scenery, Beyond the Badlands Scenery and Wildlife. Winning submissions will be published in North Dakota Tourism’s promotional materials.

“The Governor’s Photo contest winners continue to provide stunning imagery that inspires travel and encourages visitors and residents to experience our vibrant communities,” Otte Coleman said. “The road trip category ties directly to our recent marketing efforts and we look forward to using these fresh photos to inspire more trips.”

This year the contest had a total of 471 entries from 79 photographers, with a limit of 10 entries per photographer. Since 2004, the annual contest has received more than 17,600 photos.

Prints of the winning images will be on display through the end of the year at the Morton Mandan Public Library and the Mandan Progress Organization’s office and will be viewable during the Mandan Holiday Lights on Main event.

“Photography can capture moments that lead us to be present while exploring our world, in this case North Dakota!” Konikow said. “We are happy to be a partner of this contest.”

AAA has been a proud sponsor of the Governor’s Photo contest for the past 14 years providing prizes and exposure for winning photographers.

“As AAA was built around the love of travel, this contest is a unique opportunity to support North Dakota photographers who have a unique talent for capturing images that inspire the desire for travel and adventure in others,” LaDoucer said.

View the winning images

Burgum statement on passing of former North Dakota House Majority Leader Earl Strinden

Gov. Burgum on Wednesday released the following statement regarding the passing of former North Dakota House Majority Leader Earl Strinden of Grand Forks, who died Tuesday at age 90. Strinden served in the Legislature from 1966 to 1988 and as CEO of the University of North Dakota Alumni Association from 1969 to 2000, establishing the UND Foundation in 1978 as the fundraising arm of the university.

“Earl Strinden’s love for North Dakota and UND was legendary, shining through in his dedicated service and exceptional leadership in the Legislature, the UND Alumni Association and the UND Foundation,” Burgum said. “His efforts to promote our state and support the university he cherished will have lasting benefits for students and citizens alike for generations to come. Kathryn and I extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to his family, friends and the UND community.”

Join us for Recovery Reinvented on Nov. 3 in Grand Forks

Gov. Burgum and First Lady Kathryn invite the public to join the sixth annual Recovery Reinvented on Nov. 3 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks.

This year’s event is focused on “Turning Advocacy into Action” and features an amazing lineup of speakers.

Registration for the free event is available at www.recoveryreinvented.com or at the link below.

Register Today!

It's here! 2022 Main Street Summit Oct. 25-26 in Bismarck

The Main Street ND Summit provides an opportunity to connect, learn, get inspired, and gain insight to build and grow your community for the future.

For all of us, the state of today’s workforce is at top of mind as we identify and address the needs of our communities and state in 2022 and beyond. The 2022 Main Street Summit will be all about community and workforce.

Join us in Bismarck for the free event this Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 25 and 26!

Register Today!

Click Here for more information.