Joint Effort to Create More Welcoming Communities Announced
May 1, 2025 —The mayors’ offices of Bismarck and Mandan and the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC announced the Bismarck-Mandan: Where Home is More than Hello effort in a press conference held today. The effort seeks to engage every resident to help Bismarck-Mandan become a more welcoming place to newcomers.
The effort is essential to ensure new people coming into our community feel welcome so they are more likely to make Bismarck-Mandan their permanent home. New people are important because it means increased revenue for businesses, helps establish new businesses, fills jobs, strengthens our health care and schools, increases the number of volunteers, broadens our tax base, provides new leadership and keeps the community vibrant as newcomers bring in new skills, new energy and a broad array of perspectives. Societally, research has shown that one in six American say they feel isolated or lonely most of the time, according to a 2024 Pew Research Study. This campaign aims to help transition people into making Bismarck-Mandan the community where they feel welcomed and want to call home.
“New people are coming to Bismarck-Mandan as students at the University of Mary and Bismarck State College, retired people from rural North Dakota, temporary employees in our healthcare organizations, local businesses for workforce, and legal immigrants,” stated Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC Director Brenda Nagel. “It is logical that we make the effort to welcome them well so they want to stay here.”
The population of Bismarck-Mandan increases by about 1,000 people per year. The University of Mary shares that two-thirds of their students come from out-of-state.
Mandan Mayor Jim Froelich states, “a strong community is built on kindness, connection and a shared commitment to making everyone feel at home. Whether you lived here for generations or just arrived, you are a valued part of our community. Together, we can continue making Bismarck and Mandan a place where everyone belongs.”
“We have pockets of wonderful things happening in our communities,” shares Bismarck Mayor Mike Schmitz. “Some people open their homes and hearts to new people coming into their workplaces and neighborhoods already. We want this effort to reach those who may not have considered how it feels to be new in our community and to take a step beyond just saying ‘hello’ and truly welcoming them.”
In addition to residents being more welcoming, the Make Your Mark Bismarck-Mandan website sponsored by the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC, is creating a one-stop-shop at no charge for clubs, non-profits, and interest groups in the community to register so newcomers and current residents can learn about their organizations. They can register their group at MakeYourMarkBisMan.com and click on the three lines in the upper right hand corner for the Club and Committee Submission Form. Residents are also encouraged to join the Facebook group, Bismarck Mandan Make Your Mark, where people can share their stories of connection and learn about events happening locally.
Business owners can pick up a window slick from either city office or the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC and display the Bismarck-Mandan Where Home is More than Hello slick on their windows and front doors to let newcomers know of their commitment to the effort.
Presentations which last about 15 minutes will be given upon request by local volunteers. Local business owners and organizations can request those, along with the window clings from the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC at 223.5660 or info@bmcedc.org.