JILL SCHRAMM/MDN Mayor Mark Jantzer, right, watches a video that was incorporated into his State of the City address in Minot City Hall Monday, April 6. The video displayed on the council chambers’ large and small screens.

Mayor Mark Jantzer asked the Minot community to pledge its commitment to the city’s future after outlining its challenges during a State of the City address Monday, April 6.

“I ask you all to join me in making a commitment in our personal lives, in our professional endeavors and in our roles as community leaders. We will work together with each other, as individuals and with our community partners, for the greater good of Minot,” he said. “This pledge is straightforward and yet complicated. It is significant. I believe it is necessary now more than ever to ensure the continued success of our community.”

Jantzer noted Minot is benefiting from the dedication of leaders and residents who went before, and future generations are depending on today’s leaders and residents for that same level of sacrifice and dedication.

“As individuals, as a council, we commit to investing in Minot’s future, and we are content knowing that our children and grandchildren will be the ones reaping many of the benefits,” he said. “Many of us were elected to be leaders of Minot, but there are countless others doing great work behind the scenes, often leading in their own quiet way. The effects of these commitments cannot be understated. Those leaders are just as important to Minot’s past and future successes as any elected officials.”

Jantzer shared his gratitude to city council members willing to sacrifice their time to serve the community.

“There is hard work ahead of us, but we’ve always faced adversity head on, and we faced it together because a common commitment to ourselves, our residents and our community is what we have,” he said. “While it’s healthy to have honest, civil and respectful debates and disagreements, my hope is that when final decisions are made and issues are settled through our actions, we can all grab the collective rope and pull in the same direction for the betterment of the entire community we were elected to lead.”

Jantzer spoke of past and upcoming budget challenges for the city and the historically significant position of being caught between two major infrastructure projects – flood control and the Northwest Area Water Supply Project – with no immediate financial relief in sight.

He also mentioned challenges in housing, childcare, workforce and infrastructure requirements.

“But we must not forget the positive things happening in Minot. There is reason to hope that the future will include additional financial benefit from growth,” Jantzer said, citing the U.S. Air Force’s Sentinel missile project and a proposed pig iron plant, in particular.

Jantzer used his message to acknowledge Minot’s city employees and community partners, from organizations to local, state and federal governments.

“Minot’s greatest strength has always been our people. Through economic downturns and natural disasters, our folks have always lifted each other up and stayed focused on the future,” he said. “No matter the challenge, no matter the adversity and no matter what was needed to recover, rebuild and re-engage, Minot residents have always stood shoulder to shoulder with their neighbors and often with complete strangers to reaffirm their commitment to this community and to each other. That’s why I believe our community, despite a historical rollercoaster ride of challenges and successes, remains on the right track.”

He noted a community survey in 2025 showed 60% of residents agreed that Minot is headed in the right direction.

“The Port of North Dakota and the family shelter are two projects that wouldn’t exist in our community today if people had given up when there were setbacks. But we aren’t that kind of people, and we don’t give up easily,” Jantzer said. “When our community pulls together for any purpose, we can accomplish whatever we set out to do.”