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Even in 2020, there’s a lot to be thankful for

I hope everyone enjoyed a safe and happy Thanksgiving this year, despite the seemingly endless stream of bad news 2020 has thrown at us all. While we reflect on the challenges that continue to be placed in front of us, we must also take a moment to remember the blessings in our community and our personal lives.

I’m thankful for the progress Minot is making on protecting our community from future flood events. Building the largest infrastructure project in our history can be a slow, frustrating process. Permits and approvals simply don’t happen overnight, funding doesn’t just magically appear, and construction work takes time to complete. It has taken vision, planning, hard work, and patience by an endless list of people to make this project a reality. As a community, we’ve made tremendous strides since the 2011 flood, but we know we have a ton of work ahead of us. We accept that challenge, and look forward to when flood walls, levees, and other parts of the project are visible throughout the entire Souris River basin.

I’m thankful to be part of a community that is working to ensure every resident feels welcome, wanted, safe, and included. There are endless opportunities ahead for Minot, and they exist because of our residents. It is who we are as a community, and that will not change. We watch out for each other. We help each other. We are proud to call Minot our home. I’m thankful for the sense of community spirit that makes Minot the great city that it is.

I’m thankful for a growing sense of entrepreneurship that is helping to reshape and revitalize our city. Certainly there are challenges to face as COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on many businesses, large and small. But there is also a sense of optimism that is visible across Minot, including downtown where several new businesses are embracing Minot’s history and working toward securing a future after the pandemic.

I’m thankful for our community’s efforts to become a more resilient community through projects to assist our most vulnerable populations. Public/private partnerships have helped create new and improved housing for low/moderate income members of our community, and other programs have assisted qualified homeowners to relocate to neighborhoods out of the flood zone. A project to build our first family homeless shelter is under way, which will accomplish a longtime goal and fulfill a need for our community. Multiple agencies and private investors have partnered to make these projects reality, and our community is a better place because of those collaborations.

I’m thankful to live in a state that boasts some of the best outdoor recreation opportunities in the world. Whether it’s hunting, fishing, birding, rock-hunting, or hiking, North Dakota is flush with beautiful locations to enjoy your passions. In these days of dealing with COVID-19, there’s nothing like walking a field with your son or daughter during deer hunting season, sharing timeless family traditions. Lose yourself in nature; you’ll never regret it.

I’m thankful for friends and family. This year has been especially difficult for many families that have lost loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were no doubt some empty chairs around family dinner tables this week, and those losses affect our entire community. We mourn with those families, and we cherish the memories created by those who passed away this year. We also must recognize the important role our family and friends play in our lives, especially during the difficult times. It is because of our family and friends that we know there are better things ahead for us as individuals and as a community.

Sincerely, City Hall.

You can find more about what’s happening at the City of Minot at minotnd.org, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. We’d also encourage you to sign up for our monthly electronic newsletter on our website.

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