Let's Talk About Data Centers

Let's Talk About Data Centers

County Commissioners Howdy Lawlar and Craig Hystad, along with farmer and rancher Nathan Brenna and host Meghan Taunton recap an educational trip to Cheyenne, Wyoming with a 16-person delegation of local officials and landowners to learn about data center development. They describe hearing from the City of Cheyenne, Cheyenne LEADS, Microsoft, Meta, Black Hills Energy, utilities, and planners. Throughout their discussion, the group describes their take away lessons on zoning and permitting, partner expectations, infrastructure costs, water and wastewater handling, and noise levels. The episode also previews the upcoming data center open house on June 25 from 5:30–8:30 PM at the McKenzie County Ag Expo to answer questions and share McKenzie County-specific information. 00:00 Introduction 02:04 Cheyenne Trip 05:45 Choosing the Right Partner 08:09 Crypto Data Centers 08:32 Cheyenne Data Centers 14:08 Why Do We Need More Data Centers? 16:23 Water Use 19:33 Job Opportunities 22:44 Cheyenne Data Center Moratorium 23:36 Noise and Power Grid Concerns 28:55 Youth Retention 31:15 Unanswered Questions 34:22 Data Center Open House 38:39 Permitting 39:52 Open House Details 42:02 Closing

Williston Basin Petroleum Conference Recap & Industry Outlook

Host Meghan Taunton welcomes McKenzie County Commissioner Joel Brown and North Dakota State Senator Dale Patten for a recap of the 2026 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference in Bismarck. They discuss the scale and purpose of the conference, consolidation among operators, and the central "Bakken 2.0: Crack the Code" theme focused on enhanced oil recovery to increase recovery rates and extend the Bakken's productive life. The conversation explains rising gas-to-oil ratios, North Dakota's flaring reductions and gas-capture investments, and the need for additional natural gas infrastructure. They go on to cover Artificial Intelligence and data centers, local ordinance control, and tax impacts from oil and gas revenue. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 03:16 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference 09:47 Bakken 2.0 and Enhanced Oil Recovery 15:42 Energy Security and Demand 20:03 Rising Oil Gas Ratio 22:52 Natural Gas Capture and Pipelines 30:29 Competing for Capital 39:25 Utlizing Natural Gas in State 40:00 Artificial Intelligence and Data Centers 43:15 Property Taxes in North Dakota 45:10 Oil Industry Tax Revenues 54:20 Quality of Life 59:20 Local Siting and Ordinances 01:03:09 Data Center Discussion 01:08:39 Federal Lands in McKenzie County 01:13:47 Nuclear Energy 01:16:51 Closing

Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Grand Opening!

In the latest Living in Mckenzie County episode, Doug Bolken hosts Brock White with the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation and Gretchen Stenehjem with the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library to preview Medora's major July 4th opening and America 250 celebrations. Alongside a detailed look at the new presidential library, they outline the programming taking place all week from July 2–5, including the July 4 ribbon cutting and a 1,776-drone light show. Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library: www.trlibrary.com/tickets [https://www.trlibrary.com/tickets] Medora's America 250 Celebration: www.medora.com/america250 [https://www.medora.com/america250] 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 01:07 Library Vision and Design 04:11 Medora Year Round 05:46 Medora Upgrades 07:51 New Trolley Service 08:39 July Fourth Festival Plans 12:28 National Park and Trails 15:07 Library Tickets 16:58 Western North Dakota Experience 18:12 Medora Amenities and Attractions 19:59 America 250 20:50 Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Update 22:28 Theodore Roosevelt National Park 25:35 Inside the TR Library 27:23 Grand Opening

Helping Your Business Thrive During Small Business Month

In this episode of the Living in McKenzie County podcast, host Meghan Taunton, McKenzie County Economic Development Director, welcomes Cyrena Weeks (Tri-County Regional Development Council), Keith Olson (Small Business Development Center), and Susan Granrud (Job Service Workforce Center) to preview Small Business Month and explain regional resources for entrepreneurs and employers. They discuss western North Dakota's dynamic business culture, business startup challenges, and how SBDC provides no-cost advising on plans, cash flow, and lender readiness. The group also explores practical uses and cautions around AI in small business, highlights workforce support, and reviews financing options such as revolving loan funds and Bank of North Dakota's Flex PACE interest buydown. Tri-County Regional Development Council: https://tricountyrdc.com [https://tricountyrdc.com] Small Business Development Center: https://willistonstate.edu/about/Community/Small-Business-Development-Center [https://willistonstate.edu/about/Community/Small-Business-Development-Center] Job Service Workforce Center: https://www.jobsnd.com/job-seeker/workforce-centers/williston [https://www.jobsnd.com/job-seeker/workforce-centers/williston] 00:00 Welcome 00:46 Introductions 02:37 Business Culture Today 04:15 Where to Start 05:24 Small Business Development Center 08:57 AI in Small Business 13:39 Practical uses of AI 18:01 Beyond Oil and Gas 20:12 Outsourcing 22:50 Training and Funding Programs 25:39 Gap Financing Options 26:09 Flex PACE Interest Buydown 27:23 Grant Myths and Reality 28:43 Personal vs Business Credit 29:51 Bank of North Dakota 32:20 What Regional Councils Do 34:28 Grants and Programs 38:55 SBDC Funding and Structure 40:02 Business Needs 43:05 Bowling Alley in McKenzie County 46:51 Workforce Center Services 49:53 Rural Health Transformation Program 51:50 Wrap-Up

WCHS Students: The Programs & Initiatives Shaping Our Next Generation of Leaders

Season 2, Episode 17 of the Living in McKenzie County Podcast features Watford City High School students as they share their experiences in leadership, Student Council, and community involvement. They also promote the annual Cultural Fair, which will take place on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 from 3–6 p.m. in the Rough Rider Center arena. The students discuss how the event showcases the community's growing diversity through 22 food booths, community booths, and live entertainment, along with the extensive planning, grants, food ordering, and volunteer coordination behind the scenes. The conversation also highlights the Christmas lights on Main Street, the Buddy Program, National Honor Society outreach, and homecoming planning. Additionally we get to hear from the seniors about graduation and their post-graduation plans. 00:00 Welcome 01:26 Introductions 09:18 Why the cultural fair matters 11:45 Cultural fair stories and food 18:17 Behind the scenes planning 25:00 Cultural Fair time and place 26:39 Exchange students at the fair 28:03 Light Up Main Street origin 32:47 Seniors future plans 40:54 Graduation 46:03 Ambassadors Program 49:18 Buddy Program impact 53:10 Serving across generations 58:03 Homecoming week 59:36 WCHS mentors 01:08:36 Teachers And school board thanks 01:20:00 Final gratitudes