WATFORD CITY, ND (KXNET) — The North Dakota Department of Commerce has announced the winners of the 2024 Main Street ND Awards.

The Office of the Governor and Department of Commerce collaborate on giving the awards, and a selection committee made up of the collaborating agencies and partners judge the entries and make the final decisions.

Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller, who announced the awards along with the Department of Commerce, had this to say about them.

“We are grateful for the dedication of communities throughout the state who embrace the Main Street Initiative’s principles,” Lt. Gov. Miller said. “Building healthy, vibrant communities with strong infrastructure to attract and retain a modern workforce requires collaboration. These awards exemplify the success achievable when we work together.”

There are six different awards, three of which have an urban and rural category.

The recipients are as follows:

• 21st Century Workforce Award (Rural) – The Hettinger Mini Chamber, founded by Brooke Schneider.
• 21st Century Workforce Award (Urban) – Minot’s WayFinders program.
• Healthy, Vibrant Community Award (Rural) – Bowman County’s recreation facilities, like splash pad and the EDGE Activity Complex.
• Healthy, Vibrant Community Award (Urban) – Broadway Square, a revitalized public space in Downtown Fargo.
• Smart, Efficient Infrastructure Award – The Sheyenne GRIT program.
• Economic Diversification Award – The Minot Area Chamber EDC.
• Future Leaders Empowerment Award – The Williston Chamber, and its Lemonade Day program.
• Main Street Excellence Award (Rural) – The Hazen Chamber of Commerce.
• Main Street Excellence Award (Urban) – The City of Grand Forks and Grand Forks Region EDC.

To read a full description of why each of these entities were selected, visit the North Dakota government website.