A recap of recent events and happenings in the administration of Gov. Armstrong and Lt. Gov. Strinden





The Scope
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*June 27, 2025*

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enderlin
*Armstrong praises local leaders, volunteers for storm response, reaffirms state’s commitment to recovery*

Gov. Kelly Armstrong praised local leaders, first responders and community volunteers for their impressive response and recovery efforts as he surveyed damage from tornadoes and strong winds that pummeled a large swath of North Dakota last weekend.

“The way North Dakotans have responded to this disaster has been spectacular and is a testament to the exceptional leaders and volunteers in our close-knit communities and the power of collaboration at the local, state and federal levels,” Armstrong said after surveying damage Wednesday in the Enderlin, Page and Hunter areas. “This storm was unlike anything we’ve seen before, producing more than a dozen tornadoes in an area that stretched across over half our state and inflicting damage that will take weeks to tally. Today we saw heartbreaking destruction and upended lives, but also inspiring examples of volunteers dropping everything to help their neighbors in need, and we thank them all for their hard work, kindness and generosity.”

“Local volunteers and utility crews have made incredible progress cleaning up and restoring power, with less than 300 people remaining without power this morning, down from 37,000 on Saturday,” Armstrong added. “With the information gathered today, we’ll be exploring every option – including requesting a presidential disaster declaration – to assist local recovery efforts, help communities repair infrastructure and restore quality of life for our citizens.”

Armstrong declared a statewide disaster [ [link removed] ]Saturday and activated the State Emergency Operations Plan after multiple tornadoes, strong winds and hail caused widespread damage across the state Friday, resulting in four storm-related fatalities.

The National Weather Service (NWS) had preliminarily confirmed 13 tornadoes in North Dakota from the storm that swept across the state Friday and early Saturday before moving into Minnesota, where it continued to cause significant damage.

In the areas surveyed , Armstrong saw numerous grain bins crumpled like paper cups, representing millions of bushels of lost grain storage with harvest just two to three months away. Armstrong said he has spoken with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins about the impact on farmers, and the state will be looking at every tool available to help the ag sector.

Joining Armstrong were Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard and director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (DES), and state Homeland Security Division Director Darin Hanson. The DES continues to work with impacted communities and infrastructure providers on damage assessments. Armstrong encouraged local officials to carefully document damage and reach out to DES with questions and resource needs.

View photos and video from the tour here [ [link removed] ].

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*Armstrong helps break ground on Altru behavioral health expansion, highlights state investment*
altru

Gov. Armstrong helped break ground on an expansion project that will double the number of inpatient beds at Altru Behavioral Health Center in Grand Forks, highlighting the state’s significant investments to address behavioral health needs across North Dakota.

Armstrong recently signed legislation providing a $12.96 million grant to expand the number of inpatient behavioral health beds at the Altru facility from 24 to 48 beds. The grant was included in the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) budget, House Bill 1012, and requires Altru to provide matching funds of $3.24 million.

“This is a game-changer for behavioral health services in Grand Forks and the surrounding region, because when it comes to meeting the mental health needs of our citizens in their most vulnerable moments, every single bed counts,” Armstrong said.

He noted the Legislature also approved $16 million for 30 behavioral health beds in Bismarck with a focus on youth and $3.4 million for 10 behavioral health beds in Williston. In addition, lawmakers approved $300 million for construction of a new State Hospital in Jamestown, which will provide 140 treatment beds to serve those most in need of acute mental health services.

Armstrong thanked state Rep. Emily O’Brien of Grand Forks, Rep. Jon Nelson of Rugby and other lawmakers for their support for the Altru project and broader work on expanding behavioral health services, as well as Altru President Dr. Josh Deere and CEO Todd Forkel, Universal Health Services’ Behavioral Health Division President Matt Peterson, Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski and the DHHS Behavioral Health Division including Executive Director Pam Sagness for their commitment to North Dakotans’ mental health.

The Altru Behavioral Health Center expansion is expected to be completed by fall 2026.

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Legacy Fund’s in-state investment program expanded

Real assets manager added; commitment to private equity manager increased

 

The State Investment Board (SIB) has expanded the Legacy Fund’s in-state investment program by adding GCM Grosvenor, a global alternative asset management solutions provider, to manage real assets investments and increasing its commitment to 50 South Capital, the manager of the program’s private equity and venture capital investments.

“By investing in diverse sectors, we help to ensure that the Legacy Fund contributes to the strength and resilience of North Dakota’s economy,” said Gov. Armstrong, SIB chairman. “The in-state program’s investment strategy now includes private equity, fixed income and real assets, all managed with a disciplined, long-term approach.”

The in-state investment program is overseen by the SIB with guidance from the Legacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory Board. The goal of the program is to invest a portion of the Legacy Fund within North Dakota in opportunities that generate competitive returns. The North Dakota Retirement and Investment Office administers the program.

GCM Grosvenor will lead the new real assets mandate with an initial $150 million commitment to be deployed over three years. Real assets include investments in real estate, infrastructure, natural resources and agriculture.

Earlier this year, the SIB increased its commitment to 50 South Capital, manager of the North Dakota Growth Fund, from $100 million to $250 million, deepening support for North Dakota businesses and entrepreneurs through targeted private equity investments. The anticipated pace of these investments is $30 million to $40 million annually.

“Increasing our commitment to the North Dakota Growth Fund reflects confidence in the strategy’s performance and potential,” said Rep. Jonathan Warrey, Legacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory Board chairman. “We are strengthening our entire capital ecosystem—supporting new ventures by providing more capital to grow or transition existing North Dakota businesses. All North Dakotans will benefit through increased opportunity, a broader tax base, and a stronger foundation for future growth.”

As of March 31, 2025, over $500 million of the $11.9 billion Legacy Fund has been invested in North Dakota. 50 South Capital has committed $111.5 million across 7 funds and 4 direct co-investments, supporting 23 North Dakota businesses. Additionally, fixed-income investments through Bank of North Dakota total $391 million, including 9 Match Loans valued at $299 million and 23 Infrastructure Loans valued at $92 million.

“These investments demonstrate the State Investment Board’s commitment to deploying Legacy Fund assets in ways that support economic growth while ensuring every investment is beneficial to North Dakota and its residents,” said Armstrong.

The in-state investment program was established in 2021. In line with state statute, a Legacy Fund investment policy adopted in July 2023 targeted $600 million to in-state equity investments and $700 million to in-state fixed income. A pacing analysis projects it will take until 2030 to achieve the mandate. All of the program’s investments must be made through independent, third-party managers.

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*North Dakota launches ND Gateway, laying the foundation for a* *one-stop portal for state services*
gateway

In a major step toward modernizing and simplifying the user experience with state government, North Dakota has launched the first phase of ND Gateway. Led by North Dakota Information Technology (NDIT) and other partner agencies, ND Gateway creates a single portal through which business owners and entrepreneurs can access essential state government services. 

ND Gateway’s first digital experience gives citizens and business owners access to a centralized source of business tools and resources. It will continue to evolve into a one-stop location for business-related services, including registrations, annual reports, tax and insurance compliance, and general tutorials for North Dakota’s growing economic community. 

“This is an exciting first step of many for ND Gateway. Business leaders should spend their time on the needs of their customers and staff, not drowning in redundant layers of bureaucracy. ND Gateway is one more way North Dakota continues to be the best state in the country to do business,” said Evonne Amundson, Chief Business Application Officer. “This portal puts citizens and other users in the hub of business support, with a ‘no wrong door’ approach. If someone currently knows where to get business-related services, they will still have direct access through individual agency websites. But new and returning users alike will find NDGateway.nd.gov a convenient option for services and information.” 

*Key Features of ND Gateway* 

_Business Interest Form:_ A convenient way for entrepreneurs and users to share new business ideas with the state, ensuring that potential opportunities are quickly identified and supported. 

_Business Checklist:_ A personalized checklist created from five business-related state agencies to guide users through creating or modifying a business in North Dakota. 

_Starting a Business Form:_ An updated “Starting a Business” web form from the North Dakota Department of Commerce. This enhanced version immediately connects users to resources at the Small Business Development Center, as well as Commerce’s Community Services and Economic Development & Finance teams. 

Five state government agencies are inaugural leaders of ND Gateway: Secretary of State, Office of the State Tax Commissioner, Job Service North Dakota, Workforce Safety & Insurance, and Commerce. Additional agencies and services will be added with the development of future phases. 

For more information about ND Gateway, visit NDGateway.nd.gov. [ [link removed] ] 

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Moody’s Ratings reaffirms North Dakota’s strong credit rating

Moody’s Ratings recently released an updated credit opinion for the state of North Dakota, reaffirming the state’s strong financial position and maintaining the state credit rating at the second highest level – Aa1 stable.

“The strong Moody’s credit rating largely reflects our substantial reserves, low debt levels and a solid track record of responsible budget management,” said Office of Management and Budget Director Joe Morrissette. “These strengths position North Dakota to maintain flexibility and continue essential state services and programs, even amid oil price fluctuations or broader economic slowdowns.”

Morrissette added that effective leadership from both the administration and legislature has allowed North Dakota to sustain the conservative state fiscal management practices needed to maintain such a rating.

The report notes that the North Dakota ”is well positioned to weather potential economic and revenue volatility because of its history of conservative revenue forecasting, low fixed costs and strong reserves.” However, the state’s economy is uniquely reliant on volatile commodities, and Moody’s notes the importance of continuing strong reserve balances in the future: “[The] state’s relatively volatile economic and revenue composition will continue to challenge its budget predictability, making above-average reserve levels an important credit stabilizer.”

A Moody's credit rating directly impacts the state's borrowing costs and overall financial health. A higher rating indicates a lower risk of default, leading to lower interest rates on bonds and other debt instruments.

Read the full state of North Dakota Moody’s credit analysis. [ [link removed] ]

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*IN OTHER NEWS*

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prairie day

Gov. Armstrong proclaimed June 7, 2025, as Prairie Day in North Dakota with farmers and ranchers from around the state.

Watch the ND Game and Fish video on the importance of our prairies here [ [link removed] ].



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Following the recent severe storms that swept across parts of North Dakota, Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread is urging residents [ [link removed] ] to inspect their property for damage and begin the insurance claims process as soon as possible.

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cities ________________________________________________________________________

Gov. Armstrong met with the ND League of Cities board to discuss property tax relief and reform for primary residences and critical infrastructure and long-term economic development projects.



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Gov. Armstrong and First Lady Kjersti hosted students for lunch from the Governor's School, a one-month summer program [ [link removed] ] at UND for high school students to explore career opportunities in education, energy law and legal studies, health studies and mental health.

gov school

river intake ________________________________________________________________________

The North Dakota Department of Water Resources (DWR) has announced the completion of the Missouri River Potential Intake Locations Investigation, a strategic study aimed at identifying optimal surface and subsurface water intake sites along the Missouri River corridor.

Read the full report here [ [link removed] ].



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