Another priority is expanding access to available and affordable housing. Last year, we launched our JDA Housing Down Payment Assistance Program, allocating $4 million through 2025 to support homebuyers and create rooftops. The program has supported over 140 homebuyers so far, with up to $40,000 for a newly constructed home and $15,000 for an existing home, encouraging residents and developers to build more homes throughout McKenzie County. The JDA is also in the early stages of exploring future housing solutions for residents aged 55 and older. Not only is senior housing a challenge in our community, but it also has the added benefit of freeing up traditional housing for new families and the broader workforce.

To help support quality of life, the Watford City Council has been focusing investment on improving Main Street. Vibrant downtowns and strong main streets are vital to community sustainability in small towns. Securing a $400,000 North Dakota Commerce Tourism grant in 2025 provided additional momentum for developing Area 2 of the city’s Downtown Redevelopment Vision Plan. Redevelopment plans include a multi-level retail building and an urban square.

The expansion to four lanes of U.S. Highway 85, south of Watford City, is continuing this year with two simultaneous projects set to kick off this construction season. One project is a 5½-mile segment beginning at the Long X Bridge and estimated to take three years. The other is a two-year project that will cover 12½ miles from south of the Badlands to the Highway 200 intersection.

Quality healthcare remains a top priority for our area as McKenzie Health continues to grow and expand, and for the first time, was named one of the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals in the United States. The annual Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals award is regarded as one of the industry’s most significant designations of performance excellence and reflects McKenzie Health’s commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care to the communities it serves.

Meghan Taunton

Childcare capacity in McKenzie County was expanded with the opening of Bright Minds Daycare’s new facility in Alexander in December 2025, which will serve up to 70 children. The JDA has been a big supporter of the project throughout the process, and we are excited for the additional childcare capacity in the area.

Some exciting events at the Ag Expo for 2026 include the Prairie Roots Homesteading Summit May 15-16 and our county fair June 16-20, which will include a rodeo and demolition derby. The NDRA Finals will also be hosted here again September 25-27.

We are also excited to be hosting the North Dakota Petroleum Council and Foundation’s annual Birds and Birdies event June 8-9 at the McKenzie County Sportsman’s Club and Fox Hills Golf Course, and their Annual Meeting September 16-18 at the Rough Rider Center

As we move forward, we are excited to continue to maintain and improve the quality of life for McKenzie County residents so we can be a community that people are proud to call home.

This rendering shows the new Main Street Square in Watford City.

Submitted Photo This is the lobby of the relocated Bright Minds Daycare in Alexander.