North Dakota

Governor to Attend Memorial Day Observances

May 22, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. - In accordance with a proclamation signed by the President, North Dakota Governor John Hoeven has proclaimed Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, a day of prayer in North Dakota, and has directed all government agencies to fly the American and North Dakota flags at half staff until noon on that day.

Hoeven will commemorate Memorial Day by attending an observance at the Veterans Memorial located on the state Capitol Grounds beginning at 10:30 a.m. He will also attend a ceremony at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, south of Mandan, beginning at 12 p.m.    » read more »

Average North Dakotan carries a credit card balance of between $3,000 and $6,000

May 19, 2009 -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) said the passage of the bipartisan Credit Cardholder’s Bill of Rights Act will protect consumers from arbitrary fees and interest rate changes, protecting responsible consumers from getting stuck in debt.    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota Governor John Hoeven today was joined by Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple, legislators, members of the Governor's Commission on Education Improvement, educators and students to sign House Bill 1400, a historic K-12 education funding bill that invests $1.3 billion in North Dakota's schools.    » read more »

Senator says Corps-funded projects will create jobs, invest in rural North Dakota communities

May 19, 2009 -- (MINOT, N.D.) – U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) announced Friday he has secured $18.3 million in federal economic recovery package funding to strengthen water supply and infrastructure systems across North Dakota – including $5.86 million for communities in the Minot region.    » read more »

May 8, 2009 -- GRAND FORKS, N.D. – North Dakota Governor John Hoeven signed Senate Bill 2018 today, the North Dakota Commerce Department budget bill that continues the state’s strategic investments in economic, community and workforce development that have helped make North Dakota one of the strongest and most stable economies in the nation. The budget provides $185 million to further grow and diversify North Dakota’s economy. Hoeven was joined for the signing by area legislators and university officials at UND Aerospace in Grand Forks.    » read more »

May 6, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota Governor John Hoeven today signed, H.B. 1481, a historic $52 million bill for the Phase II expansion of the North Dakota Heritage Center. The legislation appropriates $39.7 million in state funds, with an additional $12 million to come from private and federal funds. Hoeven was joined at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck for the signing by Rep. Karen Karls, Sen. Tracy Potter, Rep. Larry Klemin, Sen. Ralph Kilzer, Secretary of State Al Jaeger, Treasurer Kelly Schmidt and State Historical Society Board Secretary Gereld Gerntholz.    » read more »

April 27, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D.- North Dakota Governor John Hoeven this weekend directed state health officials to take aggressive steps to prepare for possible cases of swine flu in North Dakota. As of Monday morning, 20 cases had been reported in five U.S. states. Cases have also been detected in Canada, Spain, New Zealand and Mexico, where the new viral strain is believed to have originated. The federal government declared a national health emergency Sunday.

Of the U.S. cases, most appear to be mild; only one person was hospitalized, and at this time, all of the known cases in the U.S. have recovered. So far, no cases of the illness have been detected in North Dakota.    » read more »

April 24, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota Governor John Hoeven today said the White House has approved his request for an expansion of the Presidential Disaster Declaration that was issued on March 24. The expanded declaration would include a range of new assistance programs designed to help the state recover from major, severe flooding this spring.

"As the impacts of recent flooding have expanded, so have the needs of our communities, large and small," Hoeven said. "The kinds of aid available in this expanded declaration can help us to address the costs of recovery in addition to the costs we've incurred in the flood fight."    » read more »

Phase I of proposed projects would link Chicago, St. Louis

April 14, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and the governors of seven other Midwestern states have joined in support of high-speed passenger rail projects to link cities in their region, with Chicago as the hub. The governors, along with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, have sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asking him to support plans that have been in place for several years for key rail corridors between cities in their states, including St. Louis to Chicago.    » read more »

April 10, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota Governor John Hoeven today said the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide $750,000 in Section 32 funds to assist North Dakota ranchers impacted by severe winter weather and flooding this season. The money is part of a permanent appropriation used for domestic food programs and disaster relief for farmers.

Hoeven asked N.D. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring to create an expedited plan to distribute the funding to ranchers in dire need of feed, and provide the assistance as quickly as possible.

The news came following a conference call organized earlier today at Hoeven's request with Sec. Vilsack and North Dakota farm and ranch leaders to ask the secretary once more for federal aid for producers.    » read more »

March 25, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. -- The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and numerous federal and state partners are continuing to join forces to support North Dakota communities facing severe flood threats.

On Tuesday, President Obama declared a major disaster declaration for North Dakota. The President's action made federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations to help in flood fighting efforts.    » read more »

March 23, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. - Pursuant to the statewide emergency flood disaster declaration issued by Gov. John Hoeven on March 13, 2009, the N.D. Department of Emergency Services, N.D. National Guard, N.D. Department of Transportation and other agencies are assisting in flood fighting efforts around the state of North Dakota. These actions follow state preparation efforts coordinated with local authorities, as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA.

Fargo    » read more »

NextEra Energy Resources Announces Wind Expansion Plans with Total State Investment Exceeding $1 Billion

March 19, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota Governor John Hoeven, along with Sens. Curtis Olafson and Robert Erbele, and Reps. David Monson and Michael Brandenburg, signed into law today Senate Bills 2031, 2032 and 2033, legislation that extends existing tax credits for wind energy development in North Dakota. The bills are part of a comprehensive renewable energy plan that legislators in both houses are working to fund to drive continued growth and investment in the state's renewable energy industry.    » read more »

March 16, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota Governor John Hoeven today issued a statewide disaster declaration in anticipation of potential flooding, citing heavy snow pack on saturated land around the state and flood forecasts by the National Weather Service indicating "a strong potential for significant flooding in river basins throughout the state."

Hoeven formally requested assistance from the Omaha District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to supplement state and local efforts. Hoeven said, "Because of the urgent and compelling flood threat, I am requesting Corps assistance for flood control efforts in the Devils Lake, James River, Souris River, and Red River of the North basins, as needed."    » read more »

March 10, 2009 -- FARGO, N.D. – Global Electric Motorcars, the world’s largest manufacturer of road legal neighborhood electric vehicles, was named North Dakota’s 2008 Exporter of the Year Tuesday.

“Global Electric Motorcars built its first vehicle 10 years ago and has since become a world leader in the development, production and global sale of road-legal electric vehicles,” Gov. John Hoeven said. “GEM has overcome significant export challenges and truly represents the innovation and drive that has led our state’s continued growth in the international marketplace.”    » read more »