The recognition highlights MACEDC’s leadership in advancing legislation in 2025 that modernized North Dakota’s cottage food laws, opening the door for home-based entrepreneurs to expand their reach through online, telephone and interstate sales.

The effort was sparked when Jenetta Sawyer, a Minot Air Force Base spouse and small business owner, encountered regulatory barriers that limited her ability to grow her cottage bakery beyond state lines. Within days of learning about the issue, MACEDC mobilized, bringing together legislators, partners and stakeholders to craft a solution. The result was Senate Bill 2386, which passed with strong bipartisan support and was signed into law with an emergency clause, allowing it to go into effect immediately. Thanks to “Jenetta’s Bill,” home-based food entrepreneurs across North Dakota benefit from expanded market access and new growth opportunities.

“When we heard Jenetta’s story, we knew that our organization was uniquely positioned to make a positive difference – not only for military spouses, but for cottage food consumers and producers across North Dakota,” said MACEDC President and CEO Brekka Kramer. “By making sure entrepreneurs’ voices are heard and championing their success, we fulfill our mission of advocating for and investing in business activity by being a collaborative partner in the community, focused on improving quality of life for all.”

Emily Bivens, the vice chair of MACE, commended MACEDC for delivering policy results that impact the business community in a real way.

Submitted Photo Tim Olson, Strategic Communications director for the Minot Area Chamber EDC, accepts the 2026 Public Policy of the Year award on behalf of MACEDC from Emily Bivens, vice chair of Mid-America Chamber Executives (MACE), during the MACE Annual Conference in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Photo from MACEDC.

“Today, home-based food entrepreneurs across North Dakota can sell online, ship products and reach customers beyond their local communities,” Bivens said. “That is real impact. The Minot Area Chamber EDC’s advocacy is a reminder that strong relationships, clear focus and the right story can move policy forward.”

“We are grateful to our partners who made this policy win possible – the North Dakota Military Commission, whose vision is to make North Dakota the most military-friendly state in the nation, the state lawmakers who carried the bill through committee and floor votes, and, of course, Jenetta herself, whose willingness to tell her story resulted in a positive change for small business owners across our state,” Kramer added.

MACE is made up of chamber professionals belonging to their state chamber executive organization or state chamber of commerce in the six-state area of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.