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Dakota Download Governor Burgum's Weekly Update - April 24, 2022

Burgum joins 25 fellow governors in creating the American Governors’ Border Strike Force

Gov. Doug Burgum signed a memorandum of understanding with 25 fellow governors last week to create the American Governors’ Border Strike Force to better address the humanitarian crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border and the negative effects of increased illegal immigration on public safety and crime in states including North Dakota.

Led by Arizona and Texas, the Border Strike Force also includes Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

The purpose of the agreement is to provide for cooperative efforts and mutual assistance in preventing crime and enforcing the states’ respective criminal laws and policies related to drug trafficking, human trafficking, transnational criminal organizations and other border-related crimes. It also provides for mutual cooperation in training exercises or other training activities.

“With the Biden administration failing to address the crisis at the southern border, our states are coming together to share information, coordinate law enforcement training and review existing laws to protect our citizens from the dangerous consequences of record-breaking illegal immigration and ensure that drug trafficking, human trafficking and other border-related crimes are investigated and punished to the fullest extent of the law,” Burgum said.

Col. Brandon Solberg, superintendent of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, will serve as the state’s representative to the Border Strike Force. An overview and copy of the memorandum of understanding can be viewed here.

Kevin O’Leary, CEO and representatives of Bitzero visit North Dakota

The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced on Wednesday that Kevin O’Leary, a strategic investor of Bitzero, Akbar Shamji the CEO of Bitzero, and other representatives for the cryptocurrency company visited North Dakota to evaluate potential Bitcoin mining investment opportunities.

During the visit, the Bitzero team met with Gov. Burgum, U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, Commerce representatives, Chief Information Officer Shawn Riley, and other officials.

“North Dakota has exactly what we need to build sustainable data centers,” said O’Leary, a well-known entrepreneur and a judge on TV’s Shark Tank. “In fact, I know that North Dakota is a great place to do business from my investment in PRx Performance in Fargo, which is one of the most successful companies featured on Shark Tank.”

The state’s abundant natural energy resources and current assets prompted the visit from the cryptocurrency company which anticipates an investment of up to $3 billion, with an established location set-up beginning within the next three to four months.

“We are very excited to have Kevin, Akbar, and other members of Bitzero visit North Dakota,” Commerce Economic Development and Finance Director Josh Teigen said. “Today’s visit is a follow-up from the initial introduction at Bitcoin 2022 where Commerce promoted North Dakota’s capacity to be the top location to produce the cleanest crypto on earth.”

Denbury Resources celebrates start of enhanced oil recovery in Bowman County

Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford joined Denbury Resources in Bowman this week to celebrate the completion of its CO2 lateral line and the start of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations in the Cedar Hills South Unit in Bowman County.

"We know there is so much more potential under our feet. And enhanced oil recovery, or EOR, is key to the long-term success and productivity of the Bakken," Sanford said. "We’re grateful for the entrepreneurs and risk-takers in the oil and gas industry who continue to innovate and unlock our vast oil reserves."

Sanford praised the Denbury project as an important step in value-added energy and innovation, noting that North Dakota has the potential to enhance oil output by more than 8 billion barrels through enhanced oil recovery.

To read more about the Denbury project, click the button below.

First Lady Burgum speaks at 2022 Rx and Illicit Drug Summit, delivers Hazelden Betty Ford commencement address

North Dakota First Lady Kathryn Burgum shared her personal journey from addiction to long-term recovery and her platform for eliminating the shame and stigma surrounding the disease of addiction last week at the 2022 Rx and Illicit Drug Summit in Atlanta.

Established in 2012 under the leadership of Operation UNITE and U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers of Kentucky, the Rx and Illicit Drug Summit is the largest national collaboration of professionals from local, state and federal agencies, business, academia, treatment providers and allied communities impacted by prescription drug abuse and heroin use.

Burgum delivered a plenary address alongside Monty Burks, director of faith-based initiatives at the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

In her address, Burgum highlighted the work being done through Recovery Reinvented including the North Dakota Addressing Addiction stigma survey, shared her lived experience of 20 years of long-term recovery, and emphasized that storytelling is one of the most powerful advocacy tools available for eliminating stigma and fostering cultures of empathy and support for those in or seeking recovery.

“This Summit is an incredible opportunity to share the innovative work North Dakota is leading around ending the stigma of addiction,” Burgum said. “We believe our statewide movement is a blueprint for how other states and communities can empower supportive cultures for recovery.”

Burgum also delivered the 23rd Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies commencement address on Friday, April 22, at Hamline University in St. Paul.

“It is a tremendous privilege to speak to this distinguished group of Hazelden Betty Ford graduate students and help honor their hard work, sacrifice and love for the people and families they will serve for years to come,” said Burgum, who also is a member of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “Hazelden Betty Ford’s graduates are a force of healing and hope wherever they go, taking with them knowledge, expertise and a recovery-oriented spirit that our communities need now more than ever.”

Almost 80 new graduates were recognized for earning master’s degrees in “Addiction Counseling: Integrated Recovery for Co-occurring Disorders” and “Addiction Counseling: Advanced Practice” – enabling them to provide integrated, comprehensive addiction and mental health care consistent with best practices.

Sanford participates in grand opening for VCSU Center for the Arts

Lt. Gov. Sanford and VCSU President Alan LaFave cut the ribbon together on the new Center for the Arts. (Photos courtesy of VCSU)

Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford participated in Thursday's ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration for Valley City State University's new Center for the Arts.

Sanford delivered remarks as he joined VCSU President Alan LaFave, State Board of Higher Education Chair Dr. Casey Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, House Majority Leader Chet Pollert, Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman, Valley City Mayor Dave Carlsrud, student leaders, faculty, legislators and other community members for the ceremony.

"This creative hub full of cutting-edge technology will serve students well for decades to come, providing a fantastic space for VCSU’s art and music programs," Sanford said.

Gov. Burgum signed a bonding bill in 2019 with $32 million for the new communications and fine arts building to replace Foss Hall, which was on the wrong side of the city's floodwall. Construction began that summer on the Center for the Arts.

The center's art facilities include Art facilities include a ceramics lab; printmaking, painting and drawing studios; a digital design lab; a digital photography studio; and a woodshop. Its music facilities include a 350-seat performance hall, 100-seat recital hall/choral room, a band room, a piano/computer lab, a recording and production studio, large and small practice rooms and faculty offices and studios.

Registration for the Governor's Summit on Innovative Education is now open!

The FREE event will continue to focus on innovative instructional best practices to personalize learning, as well as other community-derived solutions to best prepare young people for the 21st century economy and citizenship.

Reserve your seat today at the link below: