North Dakota made a strong showing at the 2026 Mid-America Economic Development Council Annual Awards, earning four honors in a competition recognizing standout economic development projects and initiatives across a 13-state region.

The annual awards celebrate innovative approaches to economic development, community growth and business investment. North Dakota's 2026 honorees include:

Citizen's Alley + Downtown Minot Activation Strategy, Minot - Placemaking, recognizing efforts to transform underutilized spaces and strengthen downtown vitality.

Coal Creek Station-Rainbow Energy Center, Underwood - Overcoming Adversity, recognizing an economic development project that successfully navigated significant challenges.

Applied Digital, Ellendale - Project of the Year, recognizing a major project and its economic impact.

Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, Medora - People's Choice Award, selected through voting by conference attendees.

Receiving four awards on a regional stage highlights the strength of economic development happening across North Dakota and the partnerships helping communities attract investment, strengthen local economies and pursue new opportunities.

Learn more about the MAEDC Awards here

Source: ND Commerce Connection, September 2026