News Release | For Immediate Release | August 7, 2026
Media Contact:
Kaelynn Thunder Hawk Blackaby
Communications & Grant Coordinator
Tri-County Regional Development Council
701-577-1358
Tri-County Regional Development Council Awarded Regional Workforce Impact Program Funding to Strengthen Northwest North Dakota’s Workforce
Williston, N.D. —Tri-County Regional Development Council has been awarded funding through North Dakota’s Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP) to lead a regional sector strategy initiative focused on the healthcare and energy/utilities industries across Divide, McKenzie, and Williams counties.
The funding will support a comprehensive sector strategy designed to better understand current and future workforce needs, identify shared challenges, and develop practical industry-driven solutions that strengthen the region’s workforce and economy.
Administered by the North Dakota Department of Commerce, the Regional Workforce Impact Program helps communities and industry partners work together to address workforce shortages through regional collaboration, data-driven planning, and long-term implementation strategies.
As part of the project, Tri-County will engage employers, educators, workforce partners, and community leaders throughout the region. The initiative will include industry workshops, stakeholder interviews, and workforce analysis to identify priorities and develop an actionable implementation plan tailored to Northwest North Dakota.
“This award represents an investment in our region’s future,” said Cyrena Weeks, Executive Director of Tri-County Regional Development Council. “By bringing industry partners together, we can better understand the challenges employers are facing today while building collaborative solutions that strengthen our workforce for years to come. We appreciate the confidence the state has place in our region and look forward to working alongside our partners throughout this process.”
This initiative will focus on identifying workforce trends, skills gaps, housing and community factors that influence workforce attraction and retention, and opportunities to strengthen talent pipelines within the healthcare and energy/utilities sectors.
Industry engagement will play a critical role in the project’s success. Tri-County will begin coordinating a Region One Workforce Solutions Summit and stakeholder meetings in the coming months, providing employers and partners with opportunities to help shape the region’s workforce strategy.
“We’re excited to move from planning to action,” Weeks added. “The most effective workforce solutions come directly from the employers and organizations experiencing these challenges every day. Their voices will guide this work.”
Additional information, including upcoming summit dates and opportunities to participate, will be announced as the project progresses.
About Tri-County Regional Development Council
Tri-County Regional Development Council (TCRDC) serves Divide, McKenzie, and Willaims counties by supporting communities, local governments, and nonprofit partners with funding, and project development services.
We provide grant writing and administration, technical assistance, and strategic support to help move community and infrastructure projects from concept to completion. Through strong regional partnerships, we help strengthen and sustain the communities we serve.
For more information or technical assistance, contact Tri-County RDC at 701-577-1358 or visit www.tricountyrdc.com
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