AGP Executive Report

CFP/Bowls Watch: Week 1 results reshuffled postseason projections, with UMass ending a 16-game skid and LSU’s Lane Kiffin-era debut boosting playoff chatter; the 12-team CFP format keeps Power 4 champs automatic and gives byes to the top four. North Dakota Agriculture/Permitting: Stevens County approved a conditional use permit for Riverview’s West River Dairy expansion, moving the project toward a much larger herd cap while leaving a Minnesota water permit as the next major step. Kratom & 7-OH Regulation: A new look at kratom’s rise and the push for tighter rules highlights why North Dakota and other states are weighing bans versus consumer-protection approaches as 7-OH concerns grow. Free Speech Law: North Dakota lawmakers may consider an anti-SLAPP bill next session to prevent frivolous lawsuits from chilling public-interest speech. Business Growth/Carbon Tech: Birchtech reached an agreement in principle to acquire a specialty activated carbon company, aiming to scale thermal “carbon rejuvenation” capabilities with added facilities in North Dakota. Workforce/Education: Higher education is leaning into flexible learning and industry-linked programs, including micro-credentials and digital badges, to better match changing job needs.

Banking Deal: BMO has finalized the sale of 138 branches to First-Citizens Bank, transferring about $5.7B in deposits and roughly $1.1B in loans across multiple states including North Dakota and South Dakota. Education & Local Finance: Grand Forks Public Schools warns a state property-tax increase cap is squeezing revenue, with administrators citing hundreds of thousands in lost funding and knock-on budget pressure. Healthcare Business: Arkansas regulators approved an affiliation between Arkansas Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Cambia Health Solutions, setting up a broader regional carrier structure starting Oct. 1. Workforce & Community: Prairie Business released its 2026 “50 Best Places to Work” list, spotlighting regional employers and workplace culture. Agriculture & Events: The Big Iron Farm and Construction Show returns Sept. 15-17 in West Fargo with hundreds of exhibitors, seminars, and equipment demos. Labor Day Safety: A new study ranks logging as the deadliest job in 2024, underscoring ongoing workplace risk. AI & Inequality: Reporting highlights concerns that AI adoption and stock gains are concentrated in wealthier areas, potentially widening economic gaps.

School Finance: Grand Forks Public Schools says North Dakota’s 3% property tax increase cap is squeezing budgets, costing about $300,000 and limiting mill-levy flexibility as costs rise. Banking Deal: BMO has finalized the sale of 138 branches to First-Citizens Bank, transferring about $5.7B in deposits and $1.1B in loans as BMO reshapes its U.S. footprint. Agriculture & Trade: North Dakota lawmakers and regional leaders renewed support for Canada-U.S. agricultural free trade, highlighting how cross-border food supply helps both economies. Energy Costs: GasBuddy projects record Labor Day gasoline prices, with the national average expected to top $4 a gallon amid Middle East-driven supply pressure. Local Business & Community: The 46th Big Iron Farm and Construction Show runs Sept. 15-17 in West Fargo with 900+ booths, demos, and major ag and construction programming. Cyber/Regulatory Watch: A federal food recall request tied to a seed supplier shows how recalls can stall when companies don’t respond.

Energy & Consumer Costs: Americans are heading into Labor Day with record-high gasoline prices, with GasBuddy projecting a national average around $4.03 a gallon—well above the prior 2012 record—driven by Middle East conflict and supply worries. North Dakota Business Impact: The spike hits discretionary travel and border-area tourism; one report notes North Dakota is still trying to lure Canadians back with “Close to home. Far from ordinary” messaging, but Labor Day could bring fewer Manitobans. Local Fraud Watch: Casselton logged one scam report in July, tying for 9th among ND cities tracked by BBB Scam Tracker, as the FTC flags fraud losses topping $12.5 billion in 2024. Higher Ed & Enrollment: NDSU’s new president says expanding tuition reciprocity is a key lever to boost enrollment, aiming to keep more Minnesota students and attract more out-of-state applicants. Trade Policy: A North Dakota senator-backed resolution at the Midwestern Legislative Conference reaffirmed support for Canada-U.S. agricultural free trade, citing decades of growth in cross-border farm commerce. Civic/Legal: A federal appeals ruling upheld parts of Fargo’s zoning fight over adult business locations, underscoring how local permitting rules can collide with constitutional claims.

North Dakota Higher Ed: NDSU’s new president, Marshall Stewart, says he’ll lobby for expanded tuition reciprocity to boost enrollment, arguing more in-state-friendly agreements can turn universities into magnets for students. Energy Costs: With the Middle East conflict still squeezing supplies, U.S. gas prices are expected to hit record levels for Labor Day—GasBuddy projects about $4.03 a gallon nationally, with Thursday averaging around $4.13. Workforce & Affordability Debate: A fresh push for raising the minimum wage frames it as a direct fix for affordability, pointing to the federal wage stuck at $7.25 since 2009 while costs keep climbing. Local Business Spotlight: Grand Forks Central marketing teacher Hannah Freese won a statewide Director’s Award of Excellence for the school’s career and technical education program, highlighting real-world retail learning for students. Rural Economy & Events: ND Next, a rural business and community development conference, is set for Sept. 30–Oct. 1 in Carrington, with sessions aimed at helping entrepreneurs build momentum in small towns.

Energy & Costs: North Dakota Rep. Julie Fedorchak backed the U.S. approach of using economic and financial pressure on Iran to curb its nuclear and military capabilities, aiming to avoid a costly direct conflict. Gas Prices: A Reuters report says Labor Day weekend could bring record-high U.S. gasoline prices, with the national average projected to hit about $4.03 a gallon. State Economy: North Dakota Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus reported Q2 2026 taxable sales and purchases rose 3.86% year over year to $7.39 billion, led by retail trade (+4.4%) and real estate/accommodations (+4.7% and +1.4%), while oil, gas and mining fell (-8.8%). Workforce & Growth: ND Next, a rural economic development conference, is set for Sept. 30–Oct. 1 in Carrington, bringing entrepreneurs and community leaders together across multiple venues. Business & Community: Grand Forks Central’s marketing program earned the state’s top CTE Director’s Award of Excellence, highlighting work-based learning for students. Policy Watch: North Dakota lawmakers wrapped a special session push that kept natural kratom regulated while targeting synthetic kratom derivatives, with the American Kratom Association praising the final bill.

Rural Business & Networking: NDSU Extension and the Cass County Economic Development Corp are bringing ND Next: The Future Grows Here to Carrington Sept. 30–Oct. 1, with stops across the region and speakers focused on small-town momentum and entrepreneurship. Energy Costs: A Reuters/GasBuddy report says Labor Day gasoline could hit $4.03 a gallon, with the national average around $4.13 Thursday—adding fresh pressure to already-tight household budgets. Outdoor Economy: North Dakota Game and Fish director Jeb Williams says the pheasant forecast looks promising, pointing to favorable brood counts and reports as the season approaches. Health Policy: North Dakota lawmakers passed HB 1628, which bans synthetic kratom derivatives while preserving regulated access to natural kratom leaf; Gov. Kelly Armstrong is set to sign. Tax & Retail Pulse: The Tax Commissioner reported Q2 2026 taxable sales up 3.86% year over year, led by retail trade and real estate. Banking Deal: BMO completed the sale of 138 U.S. branches to First Citizens Bank, reshaping its network strategy. Data Center Politics: A North Dakota special session debate over data center NDAs continues as lawmakers weigh transparency and local impacts.

State Tax Update: North Dakota Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus reports Q2 2026 taxable sales and purchases rose 3.86% year over year to $7.39 billion, led by retail trade (+4.4%) and real estate (+4.7%), while oil, gas and mining fell 8.8%. Banking Deal: BMO says it has completed the sale of 138 U.S. branches to First Citizens Bank, as BMO reshapes its network toward long-term growth markets. Local Business & Real Estate: Mandan Tire & Auto has closed and its 6,225-square-foot building is now listed for sale at $440,000, opening space for a new operator. Energy/Environment Policy: The Trump administration revised proposed WOTUS rules, seeking clearer definitions for “relatively permanent” and “continuous surface connection” and adding a definition for “perennial.” Construction/Infrastructure: North Dakota’s stalled Military Gallery is set to restart after House approval of a $20 million loan plus removal of limits on $15 million in allocated funds. Agriculture Research: USDA researchers at the North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory say a corn-soybean-spring wheat-sunflower rotation in no-till can improve soil health via increased microbial activity and better water infiltration. STEM Funding: HHS awarded UND $408,184 to support biomedical research and training. Cybersecurity: Thomson Reuters disclosed a breach involving its C-Track court software that potentially exposed sensitive records tied to appellate courts in North Dakota and 11 other U.S. states.

Native Health Finance: Oweesta Corp. closed its first New Markets Tax Credit deal, securing $16M in allocation for a $73.4M Spirit Lake Nation Tribal Health Clinic that will replace an aging facility and expand services like primary care, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and dialysis. Workforce & Growth: North Dakota hosted a Global Talent Summit focused on easing the state’s biggest constraint—workforce—bringing together employers and workforce partners to discuss international recruitment and integration. Statehouse Transparency vs. Data Centers: North Dakota lawmakers rejected a push to ban non-disclosure agreements between data center developers and public officials, with the NDA/data center bill failing 32-15, while a separate measure to restart the stalled Military Gallery advanced with a $20M construction loan. Agriculture Under Pressure: Farmers and ranchers are heading into harvest with heightened uncertainty tied to hot, dry conditions and ongoing trade tensions, adding strain to planning and costs. Community Business Spotlight: First International Bank & Trust named winners of its 12th annual Live First Community Giving Campaign, awarding $75,000 across multiple states to nonprofits tackling needs from housing stability to behavioral health.

Workforce & Growth: North Dakota’s Global Talent Summit in Bismarck brought 100+ employers and partners together to tackle the state’s biggest growth constraint—workforce—by expanding practical pathways for recruiting and integrating international talent. Cybersecurity & Courts: Thomson Reuters’ C-Track court case management breach tied to a March 2026 intrusion exposed sensitive court records across multiple jurisdictions, including North Dakota, with officials stressing there’s no reported misuse so far. Data Centers & Transparency: A special session ended with lawmakers rejecting a bill that would have limited government NDAs tied to data center deals, while kratom bills advanced—showing the Legislature is still wrestling over how much secrecy is acceptable as new industry arrives. State Economy: North Dakota collected $69 million in individual income taxes in Q1 2026, up 38% from the prior quarter, according to Census data. Local Business & Community: First International Bank & Trust named winners of its 12th annual Live First Community Giving Campaign, awarding $75,000 to nonprofits across ND, SD, MN and AZ. Agriculture: Hot, dry conditions are stressing ranch water supplies, with some stock dams drying up and raising concerns about pasture quality and cattle health.

Cybersecurity & Courts: Thomson Reuters confirmed its C-Track case-management system was breached, with an unauthorized party accessing files tied to appellate courts in 11 U.S. states plus North Dakota, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Ontario; the activity was detected June 30 but the files were taken in March, and some records may include sensitive personal data. Special Session Watch: North Dakota lawmakers advanced a special-session push that could ban kratom statewide, while a separate data-center nondisclosure bill drew a do-not-pass recommendation after concerns the topic is too complex for a three-day session. State Policy & Benefits: North Dakota HHS postponed SNAP Healthy Choice Waiver changes from Sept. 1 to Nov. 1, keeping current EBT-eligible items available through the new date. Local Business: Acme Equipment opened a new Bismarck store, expanding its Kubota showroom and relocating Acme Rents. Community & Growth: Dickinson’s Youth Commission will elect 2026-27 officers Sept. 16, and Dickinson roundabout projects are nearing completion this fall.

Military Museum Funding Fight: Lawmakers heard testimony on the stalled Military Gallery in Bismarck, including claims that the fundraising firm was paid heavily while donations lagged, as a special-session compromise advances a $20M Bank of North Dakota line of credit to restart construction. SNAP Policy: North Dakota HHS postponed SNAP Healthy Choice Waiver changes from Sept. 1 to Nov. 1, keeping current EBT-eligible items available in the meantime. Data Security: A third-party vendor breach tied to C-Track affected the North Dakota Supreme Court, prompting a criminal investigation and guidance for residents to monitor accounts and credit. Kratom Crackdown: A special-session committee advanced a full kratom ban (SB 2408) after Gov. Kelly Armstrong pushed for a total prohibition. Defense Tech: Army Under Secretary Mike Obadal visited Grand Forks to review unmanned systems work at the Point Defense Battle Lab and GrandSKY. Agriculture & Water: The state committed all $4M in drought-related livestock water project funding after hundreds of approvals, with the program closing Sept. 1. Local Business/Infrastructure: Dickinson roundabout projects are nearing completion, with major work expected to finish this fall.

Agribusiness & Risk: McLean County producers are heading into harvest with tighter margins as NDSU Extension budgets flag low or negative projected profitability for most crops, driven by lower prices and rising machinery ownership/repair costs. Food Supply & Compliance: The FDA says a seed supplier tied to a 15-state sprout outbreak has not answered a recall request, leaving some growers and consumers without clear lot-level guidance beyond limited distribution notices. Energy & Rural Economy: A Wishek wind farm story highlights how turbine leases and tax revenues can reshape local budgets, even as communities weigh long-term tradeoffs. State Policy Watch: North Dakota’s special session is set to tackle kratom restrictions, data center nondisclosure agreements, and a stalled Military Gallery funding plan, with lawmakers and the public pushing competing approaches. Data Centers & Transparency: Testimony and Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s stance focus on whether ND can limit NDAs without undermining open-records rules or legitimate confidentiality exemptions. Public Health Funding: HHS awarded $667,064 to North Dakota for public health and rural health support, including outbreak control and UND rural health programming. Consumer Costs: GasBuddy reports show county-level price snapshots across North Dakota, underscoring ongoing volatility tied to broader fuel market pressures.

UAS & Satellite Jobs: Grand Forks is pushing careers in its fast-growing uncrewed and autonomous systems and satellite systems sector, pointing workers to Job Service ND listings and a resume drop for local employers. County Governance: A proposed Grand Forks County employee corrective action policy sparked tension over how much HR should weigh into discipline decisions. Special Session Watch: North Dakota residents and lawmakers are lining up ahead of a Wednesday special session, with kratom regulation dominating public testimony and debate over whether to regulate or fully ban the substance. Data Center Transparency: Gov. Kelly Armstrong urged lawmakers to keep ND open-records rules from being weakened by nondisclosure agreements, while also backing an amendment meant to preserve confidentiality for already-exempt information. Public Health Funding: HHS awarded North Dakota $667,064 for public health and rural health support. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reported the lowest midgrade price in Barnes County at $4.29 and the lowest regular in Stutsman County at $3.79 for the week ending Aug. 22. Business Growth: Root extended its embedded insurance partnership with Carvana through at least August 2028.

Legal & Energy Policy: North Dakota Attorney General Mike Hilgers says a U.S. District Court in New York struck down New York’s Climate Change Superfund Act as unenforceable, siding with a coalition challenging the state’s $75 billion fines on energy producers. Local Government & Business Regulation: Fargo is moving toward a new “Class Airport” liquor license at Hector International Airport that would allow beer, wine, and spirits to be carried through the terminal to gates in approved containers. Utilities & Risk Management: U.S. electric co-ops are sharing updates on wildfire mitigation efforts through the NRECA-led WARN consortium, aiming to protect electricity supplies with layered safety plans. Construction & Fleet Services: MacQueen opened a new Bismarck service center to expand local service, parts, and technical support for refuse and recycling vehicles across North Dakota. Data Centers & State Policy: North Dakota lawmakers heard fresh public pushback on data centers, with concerns about transparency and nondisclosure agreements alongside arguments for jobs and long-term construction demand. Consumer Watch: GasBuddy reports show North Dakota regular gas hitting lows around $3.79–$4.04 in select counties during the week ending Aug. 22, while diesel averaged about $5.18 statewide. Public Records: The ND AG says the James River Humane Society violated open records law by not fully turning over documents requested by a Jamestown Sun reporter. Agriculture & Conservation: The John Lee and Ellen Njos family won the 2026 North Dakota Leopold Conservation Award for work on soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat at their Coyote Creek Ranch.

Data Center Policy Debate: Lawmakers heard fresh concerns about AI data centers, including calls for a moratorium, more transparency, and limits on nondisclosure agreements, while supporters argued the projects can sustain long-term construction jobs. Tax Incentives: A separate update says North Dakota’s data center sales tax exemption topped $65 million in 2025 activity, putting the incentive back in the spotlight ahead of the 2027 session. Ranching Support: The USDA rolled out a new Ranchers First Initiative aimed at boosting herd growth and expanding risk-management tools, arriving amid backlash over tariff-free foreign beef imports. Carbon Storage Fight: Summit Carbon Solutions is abandoning two of three planned CO2 storage areas in North Dakota, narrowing its appeal to one remaining site. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show spotty low-price pockets across the state, with regular gas lows like $3.84 in Burleigh County and $3.79 in Grand Forks County, while diesel averaged higher statewide. Local Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data found Grand Forks tied for 6th in July scam reports among ND cities, with two reported incidents. Education Workforce: North Dakota’s schools superintendent is volunteering as a substitute teacher to spotlight the statewide shortage and its impact on classroom coverage. Open Records: The ND attorney general issued summary opinions on open-records compliance, including a finding that a school bus contractor wasn’t a public entity and a separate ruling that a humane society failed to provide all requested records.