Communities across rural America are engaged in revitalization efforts to renew downtown areas and restore them to their former prominence as a center of community activity. In 2020, HomeSnacks named Oakes, pictured here, one of the 10 best places to live in the Peace Garden State. Photo by NDAREC/Liza Kessel

“It will never go back to the way it was,” says Becky McCray. “We have to start from here and move forward.”

Josh Kramer

Do you ever have those moments?

Bismarck State College (BSC) lineworker students provide demonstrations at a May 6 event celebrating a 50-year partnership between BSC and the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives.

“I loved the job, loved who I worked with and being outside,” Kraft says.

Josh Kramer

The BSC lineworker training program provides a great introduction to this critical trade, but completing the program is just the beginning.

Gov. Doug Burgum signs House Bill 1412 into law. The legislation provides lignite power plant and conversion facility operators five years of immediate tax relief from coal conversion taxes. With the North Dakota lignite industry facing pressures from the federal government and skewed energy market prices, House Bill 1412 will help level the playing field for the lignite industry and make lignite-fueled electricity more competitive on the electric grid. PHOTO BY NDAREC/LIZA KESSEL

While this session marked an incredible accomplishment in transparency and adoption of technology to remove barriers to the legislative process, ma

John Devney, 10, is ready to swing for the fences and play baseball again this summer. Courtesy Photo

This summer, I am most looking forward to playing baseball and making more friends.

The Pembina Gorge west of Walhalla is part of the Rendezvous Region. PHOTO COURTESY  NORTH DAKOTA TOURISM

The Pembina Gorge and surrounding areas in Cavalier, Walsh and Pembina counties make up the tourism region, where the forested terrain and river go

The decor at Magic City Hoagies in Minot celebrates the history and spirit of the city. PHOTOS BY NDAREC/LIZA KESSEL

Many will talk about the city’s cultural diversity, perhaps shaped by the Minot Air Force Base and military families who put down roots up north.

sara

Nearly two-thirds of Americans are ready to travel and looking for inspiration, as they are dreaming, planning and booking travel at increasingly h

al

We spent the day feeding, bedding and dragging newborn calves into a barn that soon became overcrowded.