In this episode of the Living in McKenzie County podcast, host Meghan Taunton, McKenzie County Economic Development Director, welcomes Cyrena Weeks (Tri-County Regional Development Council), Keith Olson (Small Business Development Center), and Susan Granrud (Job Service Workforce Center) to preview Small Business Month and explain regional resources for entrepreneurs and employers. They discuss western North Dakota's dynamic business culture, business startup challenges, and how SBDC provides no-cost advising on plans, cash flow, and lender readiness. The group also explores practical uses and cautions around AI in small business, highlights workforce support, and reviews financing options such as revolving loan funds and Bank of North Dakota's Flex PACE interest buydown.

Tri-County Regional Development Council: https://tricountyrdc.com

Small Business Development Center: https://willistonstate.edu/about/Community/Small-Business-Development-Center

Job Service Workforce Center: https://www.jobsnd.com/job-seeker/workforce-centers/williston

00:00 Welcome

00:46 Introductions

02:37 Business Culture Today

04:15 Where to Start

05:24 Small Business Development Center

08:57 AI in Small Business

13:39 Practical uses of AI

18:01 Beyond Oil and Gas

20:12 Outsourcing

22:50 Training and Funding Programs

25:39 Gap Financing Options

26:09 Flex PACE Interest Buydown

27:23 Grant Myths and Reality

28:43 Personal vs Business Credit

29:51 Bank of North Dakota

32:20 What Regional Councils Do

34:28 Grants and Programs

38:55 SBDC Funding and Structure

40:02 Business Needs

43:05 Bowling Alley in McKenzie County

46:51 Workforce Center Services

49:53 Rural Health Transformation Program

51:50 Wrap-Up