What do you see as the most important benefit of Walmart locating in Mandan?

“Business representatives, government officials and citizen volunteers worked together to continue moving Mandan forward on a number of fronts in 2011,” said Mandan Tomorrow Implementation Committee Chair Kirsten Baesler. “From continued local candidate forms, to putting Mandan marketing tools into the hands of real estate agents, holding a business succession planning seminar, to spearheading an outdoor movie night and increasing college dual credit course offerings at Mandan High School, our community was active in self-improvement in 2011. Plans for 2012 promise more growth and progress.”

“Mandan’s comprehensive planning process began in 2009 with community surveys and focus groups providing direction for the future,” explains Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce President Kelvin Hullet. “Those ideas are becoming realities. Community members have made great strides and are energized to do more.”

Anyone interested in serving on a Mandan Tomorrow subcommittee is encouraged to contact the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber, phone 223-5660. For more information about the Mandan Tomorrow Plan, visit www.mandantomorrow.com.

The presentation was video recorded and will be replayed on Government Access cable channel two. It may also be viewed on demand at www.freetv.org.

Following is an outline of committee reports. Click here to download the slide presentation.

2011 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Overall Implementation Committee

- Shared news of Mandan Tomorrow 2010 accomplishments and 2011 action plans with media and public.

Leadership, Pride & Image

- Completed first year of the “Great Things: Made in Mandan” marketing campaign to elevate community image for purposes of recruiting businesses, residents and visitors.
- Presented opportunities for collaboration on community marketing to community and civic organizations.
- Secured partnerships in community marketing from at least five non-profit organizations and inclusion of logo and key messages in local government communications vehicles.
- Briefed real estate agents on Mandan progress and provided information to promote community strengths.
- Provided information about Mandan for Chamber packets given to people interested in moving to the area.
- Hosted second annual candidate information forum to encourage citizen interest in serving in local government.
- Conducted school board candidate issues forum to help citizens become familiar with views on pressing issues.
- Presented Mandan Tomorrow strategic plan, accomplishments and projects to Chamber’s Leadership Bismarck-Mandan class to help engage others in community betterment.
- Issued questionnaire at business social to begin gathering input on interest in improving communication with and among Mandan businesses and to improve cohesiveness.
- Sought participation in meetings of city staff regarding topic of community beautification.

Economic Opportunity & Prosperity

- Supported proposed bill to create a targeted retail state income tax credit during 2011 legislative session. Hearings helped bring attention to conundrum some cities and towns face between lack of sales tax and pressure on property tax.
- Began process of organizing a Renaissance Fund Organization to invest in redevelopment and associated business projects.
- Prompted mailing of fact sheet about assistance and incentives to all Mandan businesses.
- Supported lead taken by City of Mandan in application for U.S. Treasury’s Small Business Credit Initiative to obtain funding for expanded business financing programs.
- Hosted succession planning seminar for businesses.

Quality Places & Destinations

- Collaboration with Mandan Progress Organization on additional community events resulted in successful second annual Wild West Grillfest. The Sport and Recreation Show scheduled for May was cancelled due to inclement weather.
- Assisted Mandan Parks and Recreation with first outdoor summer movie.
- Participated in renewed discussions about community interest in an event or expo center.

Education & Workforce

- Increased by 12 percent the number of students taking advantage of after-school supplemental educational services to improve math and reading competencies.
- Increased high school student enrollment in dual credit courses by 84 students taking an additional 384 credit hours due to expanded opportunities and a reduction in the cost by 70 percent for students taking dual credit classes taught at Mandan High School.
- Bismarck State College’s Continuing Education, Training and Innovation program provided training to five Mandan businesses and organizations.

2012 ACTION PLAN

Leadership, Pride & Image

- Host information session on serving in local office to encourage citizen interest in candidacy.
- Involve Mandan youth in community through volunteerism and education about government and civic processes.
- Foster communication with and among Mandan businesses to improve cohesiveness and pursuit of common goals.
- Ensure voting-age adults are aware of candidate choices for local boards and candidate views on pressing issues.
- Encourage Mandan businesses and their employees to volunteer for community service efforts including projects, committees and activities.
- Engage key civic organizations by reporting progress regarding community marketing and overall implementation of Mandan Tomorrow strategic plan.
- Continue community marketing under consistent theme.
- Strengthen partnerships with government, business and civic entities to market and improve Mandan citizens’ impression of and satisfaction with community.
- Provide local media with information on positive efforts and momentum in Mandan.
- Make sure points of contact for prospective new residents have current information about Mandan.
- Continue to focus component of overall marketing strategy on capturing I-94 traffic.
- Explore means for more citizen involvement in community beautification efforts.
- Continue to collaborate with city officials on possibilities for property maintenance ordinance.

Economic Opportunity & Prosperity

- Establish Renaissance Fund Organization to stimulate major redevelopment and business projects.
- Capitalize on energy industry growth.
- Nurture entrepreneurs and small business development by hosting two educational sessions on topics such as franchise opportunities, available properties, or ways to benefit from the oil industry.

Quality Places & Destinations

- Continue to gauge interest in an event or expo center.
- Support new community events including Gladiator Rush, a new 5K run scheduled for June 30 at Huff Hills.
- Support second annual outdoor movie event.
- Explore possibilities for restoring and enhancing Ft. Lincoln State Park including possible coordination of a community survey.
< li>Continue to look at adding winter events to Mandan such as snowmobile drag racing or other snowmobile or motor sports including a Ft. Lincoln to Huff ride offering snowmobile rentals.

Education & Workforce

- Work to secure a portion of funding or to benefit from Hess Corporation grant in support of standards-based education. This effort will be in conjunction with the Regional Education Association and Missouri River Educational Cooperative.
- Provide additional incentive and support for dual credit opportunities for Mandan High School students.
- Look into potential for student internship opportunities.
- Continue to work with the Mandan business community to recognize and provide incentives to students for academic achievement.

Mandan Tomorrow Year 2 Progress & Year 3 Plans

The public is invited and encouraged to hear examples of how business representatives, citizens and local government officials are working together for continued community betterment. “We’ve accomplished a great deal in 2011 and have many exciting things planned for 2012. We are eager to share our progress with the greater community,” says Mandan Tomorrow Implementation Committee Chair Kirsten Baesler.

Dakota Media Access will record and show the meeting on Government Access cable channel 2, also making it available for on-line viewing at www.freetv.org.

Mandan’s comprehensive planning process began in 2009 with community surveys and focus groups providing direction for the future. Business owners and managers, residents and leaders from local government entities worked together to identify and address people’s needs and wants Mandan in the next five to 10 years. The Chamber spearheaded the planning process for Mandan with contributions from private businesses. Joining in the endeavor were the City of Mandan, the Mandan Public School District and Mandan Park District.

Four subcommittees are putting the Mandan Tomorrow strategic plan into action. The subcommittees are Leadership, Pride and Image; Quality Places and Destinations; Economic Opportunity and Prosperity; and Education and Workforce. The subcommittees are comprised of business and citizen volunteers.

“It is important that we continue with the implementation process outlined in the vision for Mandan,” explains Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce President Kelvin Hullet. “It takes time and effort to create the results of the initiatives identified by Mandan residents.”

Anyone interested in serving on a Mandan Tomorrow subcommittee is encouraged to contact the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber, phone 223-5660. For more information about the Mandan Tomorrow Plan, visit www.mandantomorrow.com.

This will be the committee’s third annual information session on running for local office. “Our goal is to promote interest in leadership so that the public has candidates from which to choose for each open position on the city and county commissions as well as school and park boards,” says Committee Chair Laurie Leingang. “The session provides first-hand insight about time and responsibility commitments in these positions. We hope the information session helps result in candidates who have the abilities to meet expectations.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear about the roles of the various boards and the position responsibilities to determine if public-service is something they should pursue. The session will also include information about the requirements to file for candidacy.

The information session is free and sign-up is not required. If you have any questions, please contact Laurie Leingang at 400-8631 or leingangl@bis.midco.net.

Dakota Media Access will record the forum for live and/or rebroadcast viewing on Government Access cable channel 2 and on-line viewing at www.freetv.org.

The Leadership, Pride and Image Committee is charged, among other things, with fostering citizen interest in serving in local government offices. It is one of four committees putting the Mandan Tomorrow strategic plan into action for betterment of the community. Other committees are Quality Places and Destinations, Economic Opportunity and Prosperity, and Education and Workforce. The committees are comprised of business and citizen volunteers.

Members of the Leadership, Pride and Image Committee are Laurie Leingang, Kristi Entzi, Damian Huettl, Pam Mack, Tom Regan, Kelly Steckler, and Jason Steffenhagen. Staff liaison is City of Mandan Business Development and Communications Director Ellen Huber.

Anyone interested in serving on a Mandan Tomorrow committee is encouraged to contact the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber, phone 223-5660. For more information on the Mandan Tomorrow Plan, visit www.mandantomorrow.com.

Anyone interested in running for city office must file with the City Administration Office, by 4 p. m. on April 13, 2012, Petitions/Certificates of Nomination (SFN 2704) and Statement of Interests (SFN 10172) forms. These forms may be downloaded from the Local Elections Procedures section of this website or from the Secretary of State’s web site at www.nd.gov/sos/electvote. The forms are also available at City Hall, 205 Second Avenue NW, in the Administration Office. If you have questions, please call 701-667-3215.

The Campaign Contribution Statement (SFN 53970) is filed with the City of Mandan Auditor.

For more information on the number of signatures of qualified electors to be gathered, please download the 2012 Election Instructions for City & Park District Positions.

Have you ever used Bis-Man Transit services?

The City Commission is interested in development proposals that provide retail and services for the community’s residents, businesses and visitors; that increase the city’s commercial tax base; and that offer employment opportunities for area residents. The request for proposals points out the City’s aim to fill gaps in its retail, restaurant and hospitality offerings and notes that the site is a prime location for a hotel.

Besides being near the Mandan Middle School, which attracts visitors for many activities and competitions, other nearby traffic drivers include an industrial and office park, two other hotels, gas stations and eateries, a hospital and nursing home, and the Mandan Senior High School, aquatic center and hockey arena.

Proposals are due Feb. 17, 2012. The proposed purchase price is among criteria for evaluating proposals. Other key factors include intended uses, immediacy of the development schedule, amount of investment in infrastructure and structures, developer experience, and relationships with or commitments from potential retail, restaurant and hospitality users.

Entities submitting proposals will be invited to present concepts and participate in an interview at a meeting of the City Commission, which will have the responsibility of selecting the successful developer.

Download a complete copy of the RFP at www.cityofmandan.com for detailed submittal requirements and the timeline for the selection process. The RPF is also available at the Business Development Office, Mandan City Hall, 205 Second Avenue NW. For more information, call 701-667-3485.

2012 Request for Proposals for Development of Parcels in NW Mandan

Which Mandan storefront do you think is best decorated for the holidays?

Please select from a provided list of merchants that signed up to compete in a holiday storefront decorating contest with the Mandan Progress Organization. Local media are donating free advertising

A majority of the 212 respondents from Bismarck and other locations recognized Mandan’s strong sense of community, growth, and opportunities for student achievement. The quality of Mandan’s elected officials, public school system, parks and recreation system, and events and activities also continued to be identified strengths.

LPI Chair Laurie Leingang explains that greater acknowledgement of economic opportunities and progress within the community is needed to stimulate increased interest in property and business investment. Forty-three percent of respondents agree Mandan offers economic opportunity and 46 percent agree Mandan is a progressive community. “We’re confident realization of Mandan’s economic strength and commitment to improvement will occur as our public entities and community organizations continue to share information about gains in the Mandan market and the significant investment in infrastructure, school facilities, and downtown revitalization,” Leingang says.

Other survey questions related to the “Great Things: Made in Mandan” marketing campaign launched by the LPI Committee a year ago. The campaign highlights community assets, namely Mandan’s economic opportunity, strong sense of community, student achievement, and widespread sources of adventure.

“Survey findings indicate the community marketing is effective, but that the reach and frequency of the messages throughout the region need to increase to have a greater impact on community image,” Leingang says. Sixty percent of respondents rated the influencing effect of the sample ads as “definitely to somewhat more positive.” Attention-getting, informative, energetic and creative were the most frequently selected descriptions for the ads. Half of respondents indicated they’ve seen the “Made In Mandan” logo in use, but only 31 percent were certain they’d seen or heard advertising or communication associated with the community marketing.

Absent the ability to increase the advertising budget in the short term, LPI committee members advise Mandan’s public and private sectors to make a long-term commitment to the continuation of community promotion, recognizing that repetition of positive information will help improve Mandan’s image over the course of time.

The LPI committee intends to use survey results to direct its 2012 marketing campaign and other initiatives. The committee has a website, www.madeinmandan.com, to provide information on community marketing projects and access to the “Made in Mandan” logo. A Facebook page for the “Made in Mandan” theme engages citizens in sharing news of community happenings and progress.

The Leadership, Pride and Image Committee encourages businesses, civic organizations and others to use the “Great Things: Made in Mandan” theme and logo to highlight community strengths, progress and reasons for celebration. To seek permission and a copy of the logo use guidelines, visit the www.madeinmandan.com website or call the City of Mandan Business Development office, phone 667-3485.

The City of Mandan, Mandan Park and Recreation District, and Mandan Public Schools continue to use their respective logos and slogans in conjunction with the new theme.

The Leadership, Pride and Image Committee includes business and citizen volunteers. Members are Laurie Leingang, Kristi Entzi, Damian Huettl, Pam Mack, Kelly Steckler, and Jason Steffenhagen. Staff liaison is City of Mandan Business Development and Communications Director Ellen Huber.

Anyone interested in serving on this or another Mandan Tomorrow implementation committee is encouraged to contact the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber, phone 223-5660. For more information about the Mandan Tomorrow Plan, visit www.mandantomorrow.com.

Non Resident Survey Results 2011

Grass clippings and leaves can still be taken to the landfill free of charge.

Any tree branches larger than 4 inches in diameter, tree trunks, stumps, etc. must be taken to the landfill. There is a landfill fee charged for these items.