Western Region Economic Development Blog

Western Region Economic Development is Seeking Candidates for Open Board Positions

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 14:44:55 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 31, 2025

Amended: November 18, 2025 – Deadline Extended

Western Region Economic Development is Seeking Candidates for Open Board Positions

Western Region Economic Development (WRED) is seeking candidates interested in serving on the board of directors. There are 3 seats that will become available at the annual meeting planned for December.

WRED is a non-profit organization funded through valued memberships, grants, sponsorships, and STAR Fund dollars. The board of directors is comprised of economic development representatives from Divide, McKenzie, Mountrail and Williams Counties as well as business leaders from western North Dakota.

Western Region Economic Development exists to facilitate and promote a vibrant, diversified, and sustainable economy through collaboration and outreach. WRED has a vision to be the leading advocate for sustainable growth and development for the region.

WRED has set the following objectives to attain its vision and mission:

Identify primary sector development opportunities that will help diversify the economy.
Increase influence on state policies.
Advocate for a regional business friendly environment.
Focus public relation efforts on the region.
Focus on future recruitment and development.

The WRED board holds monthly lunch meetings to work on the objectives that have been established under the vision and mission of the corporation. Board members attend networking events hosted by WRED each year. Attendance at other regional events throughout Divide, McKenzie, Mountrail, and Williams Counties is also highly encouraged.

If you are interested in being selected to be a board member, please submit a single page document outlining why you are interested along with any other board experience you may have. The deadline to apply is Friday, December 5^th.

Please submit your request to Ann Kvande at annk@ci.williston.nd.us or hand-deliver it to:

Williston Economic Development, 113 4^th St E, Williston, ND by Friday, December 5^th.

We encourage you to visit our website at www.wrednd.com for more information.

Thank you for your interest and support of western North Dakota.

Western Region Economic Development

Western Region Economic Development is Seeking Candidates for Open Board Positions

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 19:15:08 GMT

UPDATED: October 31, 2024

Western Region Economic Development (WRED) is seeking candidates interested in serving on the board of directors. There are 2 seats that will become available at the annual meeting planned for December.

WRED has set the following objectives to attain its vision and mission:

Identify primary sector development opportunities that will help diversify the economy.
Increase influence on state policies.
Advocate for a regional business friendly environment.
Focus public relation efforts on the region.
Focus on future recruitment and development.

The WRED board holds monthly lunch meetings to work on the objectives that have been established under the vision and mission of the corporation. Board members assist in WRED’s connecting communities’ barbecues, attend networking events hosted by WRED each year as well as assist in our booth at different events. Attendance at other regional events throughout Divide, McKenzie, Mountrail, and Williams Counties is also highly encouraged.

Please submit your request to Ann Kvande at annk@ci.williston.nd.us or hand-deliver it to:

Williston Economic Development, 113 4th St E, Williston, ND by Wednesday, November 27th.

Thank you for your interest and support of western North Dakota.

Ann Kvande
Executive Officer
Western Region Economic Development

WRED 2023-2024 Annual Report

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 19:28:46 GMT

Western Region Economic Development is Seeking Candidates for Open Board Positions

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 19:12:12 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Western Region Economic Development (WRED) is seeking candidates interested in serving on the board of directors. There is 1 seat that will become available in the month of October. Candidates from the building, real estate, and manufacturing industries and businesses at large are being sought for this vacancy.

WRED has set the following objectives to attain its vision and mission:

· Identify primary sector development opportunities that will help diversify the economy.
· Increase influence on state policies.
· Advocate for a regional business friendly environment.
· Focus public relation efforts on the region.
· Focus on future recruitment and development.

Please submit your request to Ann Kvande at annk@ci.williston.nd.us or hand-deliver it to:

Williston Economic Development, 113 4^th St E, Williston, ND

We encourage you to visit our website at www.wrednd.com for more information.

Thank you for your interest and support of western North Dakota.

Ann Kvande
Executive Officer
Western Region Economic Development

Western Region Economic Development is Seeking Candidates for Open Board Positions

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 16:56:14 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 5, 2022

Western Region Economic Development is Seeking Candidates for Open Board Positions

Western Region Economic Development (WRED) is seeking candidates interested in serving on the board of directors. There are 5 seats that will become available in the month of November. Candidates from the building, real estate, and manufacturing industries and businesses at large are being sought for these vacancies.

WRED has set the following objectives to attain its vision and mission:

Identify primary sector development opportunities that will help diversify the economy.
Increase influence on state policies.
Advocate for a regional business friendly environment.
Focus public relation efforts on the region.
Focus on future recruitment and development.

Please submit your request to Ann Kvande at annk@ci.williston.nd.us or hand-deliver it to:

Williston Economic Development, 113 4^th St E, Williston, ND

We encourage you to visit our website at www.wrednd.com for more information.

Thank you for your interest and support of western North Dakota.

Ann Kvande
Executive Officer
Western Region Economic Development

Western Region Economic Development Virtual Meeting - Improving Operational Efficiency

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 17:48:16 GMT

You are invited to WRED’s Virtual Meeting on Improving Operational Efficiency

When: Tuesday, October 19, 2021, 3:00PM CDT

You must register to attend the meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYqfuysrT8rHt3r5cVLzLLGx-1-t1xMBu5r

Topic: Improving Operational Efficiency Due to the Labor Shortage

Want to improve the productivity of your resources including, but not limited to your human capital? Adopting LEAN systems and principles can and will help. LEAN is a thinking culture that utilizes the knowledge of all employees and includes tools and systems that can enhance their abilities to help with your efforts to improve productivity of your resources. A brief overview of such the LEAN tools will be provided by Reza Maleki PhD of Impact Dakota.

Western Region Economic Development is Seeking Candidates for Open Board Positions

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 17:36:08 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 4, 2021

Western Region Economic Development is Seeking Candidates for Open Board Positions

Western Region Economic Development (WRED) is seeking candidates interested in serving on the board of directors. There are three seats that will become available in the month of November. A high priority will be given to candidates from the oil & gas and manufacturing industries to fill the seats, but all interested parties are encouraged to apply.

WRED is a non-profit organization funded through valued memberships, grants and STAR Fund dollars. The board of directors is comprised of economic development representatives from Divide, McKenzie, Mountrail and Williams Counties as well as business leaders from western North Dakota.

WRED has set the following objectives to attain its vision and mission:

Identify primary sector development opportunities that will help diversify the economy.
Increase influence on state policies.
Advocate for a regional business friendly environment.
Focus public relation efforts on the region.
Focus on future recruitment and development.

Please submit your request to Ann Kvande at annk@ci.williston.nd.us or hand-deliver it to:

Williston Economic Development, 113 4th St E, Williston, ND

We encourage you to visit our website at www.wrednd.com for more information.

Thank you for your interest and support of western North Dakota.

Ann Kvande
Executive Officer
Western Region Economic Development

Western Region Economic Development Virtual Export Meeting

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 17:11:30 GMT

You are invited to WRED's Virtual Export Meeting

When: Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 3-4:30 PM Central

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAtceigrz8tE9K2olQIJ_cNZD5SJINSgkmr

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Topic: Export Services: Available, Understandable and Reasonable

Exporting expands market potential. New customers, new income and new information can add more income to your business and the local economy. The North Dakota Trade Office, the Montana Department of Commerce and the United States Department of Commerce have programs, often with funding, to help you enter or increase international business. In just over one hour, learn about export assistance programs and grants from export experts. This interactive Zoom meeting will be a benefit to anyone thinking of exporting, currently exporting or working with exporters.

Presenters:

Jiwon Kim, North Dakota Trade Office, International Business Executive

Drew Combs, North Dakota Trade Office, Executive Director

Heather Andrea Ranck, U.S. Commercial Service Office Director North Dakota and Global Rural Team Leader

Angelyn DeYoung, Montana Department of Commerce

Carey Hester U.S. Commercial Service Office Director Montana

Kevin Christensen, Palmer Bit Company, Exporter

Cherie Harms, Leonardite Products, Exporter

Agenda:

3:00-3:05 Introduction of speakers and WRED
Cherie Harms

3:05-3:25 STEP Grants North Dakota and Montana
Jiwon Kim, Drew Combs and Angelyn DeYoung

3:25-3:45 North Dakota Trace Office
Jiwon Kim and Drew Combs

3:45-3:50 Introduction of USCS
Kevin Christensen

3:50- 4:15 USCS and RAISE
Heather Ranck and Carey Hester

4:15-4:30 Wrap up and questions

Western Region Economic Development (WRED) supports SB2065

Ann Kvande — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 21:26:28 GMT

April 2, 2021

For Immediate Release

Western Region Economic Development (WRED) supports SB2065

Western Region Economic Development (WRED) supports SB2065 with the amendment 02007 as passed by the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee relating to the jurisdiction of the industrial commission to regulate the permitting and amalgamation of the underground storage of oil or gas; and to amend and reenact sections 15-05-09 and 15-05-10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to oil and gas leases and royalties from oil leases.

WRED represents Divide, McKenzie, Mountrail and Williams Counties of North Dakota.

This bill sets policy that will allow the North Dakota Industrial Commission to regulate the permitting of pore spacing providing access to mineral and water deposits. Not only would this allow for the underground storage of oil, natural gas, and other byproducts that could later be retrieved, but it also provides the potential for mining of huge salt caverns as well as other elements and access to saline and aquifers.

This bill provides a means of storing independent oil and gas. This could increase production by storing which could enhance production as well as provide a means of reserving natural gas in salt caverns. Permitting could increase the current oil and gas production as well as enhance our economic diversity by allowing byproducts to be used from depleted wells.

As with other policy regarding companies contracting to provide adequate rental payments, the bill requires prior to permitting that companies need to contract with a greater than majority (60%) of the owners in return for adequate rental payments. Nonconsenting owners are provided means to contest and will not be held liable. All nonconsenting owners are or will be compensated equitably.

For most of western North Dakota pore space is providing no revenue for the owners currently. This bill would provide revenue or axillary revenue without disrupting the surface in most cases. At the same time, it will provide business growth and opportunity.

Western Region Economic Development (WRED) supports SB2065 with the amendment 02007 as passed by the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Ken Callahan, President

Western Region Economic Development

Western Region Economic Development is Seeking Candidates for Open Board Positions

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 21:28:51 GMT

For Immediate Release:

October 22, 2020

Western Region Economic Development (WRED) is seeking candidates interested in serving on the board of directors. There are two seats that will become available in the month of December. A high priority will be given to candidates from the health care industry to fill one of those seats.

Western Region Economic Development exists to facilitate and promote a vibrant, diversified and sustainable economy through collaboration and outreach. WRED has a vision to be the leading advocate for sustainable growth and development for the region.

WRED has set the following objectives to attain its vision and mission:

Identify primary sector development opportunities that will help diversify the economy.
Increase influence on state policies.
Advocate for a regional business friendly environment.
Focus public relation efforts on the region.
Focus on future recruitment and development.

If you are interested in being selected in November to be a board member, please submit a single page document outlining why you are interested along with any other board experience you may have. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 13th.

Please submit your request to Ann Kvande at annk@ci.williston.nd.us or hand-deliver it to:

Williston Economic Development, 113 4th St E, Williston, ND

We encourage you to visit our website at www.wrednd.com for more information.

Thank you for your interest and support of western North Dakota.

Ann Kvande

Executive Officer

Western Region Economic Development

Seeking Input

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 16:00:50 GMT

Western Region Economic Development is seeking questions for a Legislative Q&A for April 20th. If you have questions for your legislators in District 1, 2, 4 and 39, please click here to submit your questions.

Western Region Economic Development Annual Meeting

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 20:02:28 GMT

Western Region Economic Development (WRED) held its annual meeting on Friday, October 25th. WRED thanks all of the members that attended. A special thank you to Justin Maddison and Kevin Johnson for their years of service to the WRED board of directors.

A warm welcome to Sarah Johnson and Gary Ryberg, the new board members of WRED.

WRED Annual Meeting Presentation October 25, 2019.

Western Region Economic Development wants to help people “Get Involved”

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 13:29:00 GMT

Western Region Economic Development (WRED) is seeking clubs, organizations and religious groups for an online directory.
WRED is a non-profit organization funded through valued memberships, grants, and STAR Fund dollars. The board of directors is comprised of economic development representatives from Divide, McKenzie, Mountrail and Williams Counties as well as business leaders from western North Dakota.

WRED understands that one of the fastest ways to feel like a part of a community is to find people with similar interests. To assist in connecting people, WRED has added a “Get Involved” page to our website. The purpose of this page is to give clubs, organizations and religious groups the opportunity to be listed free of charge in the directory. Our plan is to compile a regional list of clubs, organizations and religious groups. We encourage others to share our page and help new comers to the area connect.

We encourage entities from Divide, McKenzie, Mountrail and Williams Counties in North Dakota as well as entities in Richland, Roosevelt and Sheridan Montana to join the directory. If you have a club, organization or religious group that you would like to have added to the “Get Involved” page, please visit https://wrednd.com/getinvolved.
All entries will go to our system administrator for approval before being added to the site.

Thank you for your interest and support of western North Dakota.

Ann Kvande
Executive Officer
Western Region Economic Development

Regional Economic Developers Added as Ex-Officio Members to WRED

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 18:32:30 GMT

At the WRED Annual Membership Meeting the membership voted to include all of the regional economic developers that have been serving on the board as ex-officio members with voting rights. This will keep the economic developers from having expiring terms and is another step closer in making the board truly regional. Also included as ex-officio members is one representative from each of the following: the Williston STAR Fund, the City of Williston, District 1,2,4 or 39 Legislation, NDSU Williston Research Extension Center, the Western Area Builders Association and Williston State College.

WRED Launches New Website for Members

Ann Kvande — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 21:23:08 GMT

WRED launches a new website for its members. Members will now include the members of the regional economic development groups. All members will be able to email each other if they are logged into the website. Members will also be able to add topics to the Forums section of the website and post replies.

WRED Changes Name to Western Region Economic Development

Thu, 22 Nov 2018 18:29:57 GMT

Western Region Economic Development (WRED) is please to announce that they have changed their name. WRED was formerly Williston Regional Economic Development, but decided on the name change to better showcase who they represent.