Submitted Photo Gov. Kelly Armstrong, left center, and Minot Interim Mayor Mark Jantzer, right center, help hold up a banner as they share the stage with an Association of Defense Communities delegation and leadership from the Minot Area Chamber EDC and Minot Air Force Base during a July 18 ceremony at the North Dakota State Fair, honoring Minot as a 2025 Great American Defense Community.

Minot was recognized as a 2025 Great American Defense Community during a ceremony at the North Dakota State Fair Grandstand before the evening’s concert July 18.

The honor, presented by the Association of Defense Communities (ADC), celebrates Minot’s unwavering support for Minot Air Force Base, its mission and,most importantly, the personnel who live and work there.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong, leadership from the Minot Area Chamber EDC, Minot AFB, the City of Minot and a delegation from ADC gathered on stage to highlight the community’s military commitment. A B-52 from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB conducted a flyover prior to the ceremony.

“This recognition reinforces what we’ve long known – Minot’s commitment to Minot Air Force Base is second to none. From housing and education to civic pride and daily support, this community leads by example,” Armstrong said. “North Dakota is proud to stand behind our servicemembers while continuing to ensure they feel at home as North Dakota strives to be the most military friendly state in the nation.”

Prior to the presentation, the ADC delegation took a tour of Minot AFB, where they learned about the critical missions of the 5th Bomb Wing and the 91st Missile Wing. They also experienced Minot’s downtown and visited the Magic City Discovery Center, a project made possible in part through a Department of Defense grant. They also stopped at Minot North High School and the Scandinavian Heritage Park.

“Minot didn’t just meet the expectations of what it means to be a Great American Defense Community. They raised the bar,” Tom Ford, ADC’s Board president, said. “From the moment we arrived, we felt the warmth and pride that makes Minot such a special place. The passion, partnership and pride on display here are exactly what this program was created to honor.”

“This recognition is not just a milestone. It’s a reflection of the deep bond between Minot and our military community,” Ryan Ackerman, MACEDC Board chair, said. “Minot has always stood beside Minot Air Force Base. It’s who we are. As we just passed the 70th anniversary of the base breaking ground, this is proof of a continued testament to showing our support for the next 70 years of Minot Air Force Base’s mission.”

Launched in 2016, the Great American Defense Communities program honors communities nationwide that go above and beyond to support installations across all branches of the United States military. Minot joins a distinguished group of 50 communities selected over the last decade for this honor and will continue to be spotlighted by ADC throughout the year, with plans for further recognition at the ADC Innovation Forum in Monterey, California, this October.