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Tracey Miller, Deputy Director of Economic Development & Finance, North Dakota Department of CommerceTracey Miller is the Deputy Director of Economic Development and Finance with the North Dakota Department of Commerce. She leads efforts to grow business and investment in the state and supports economic incentives and development strategies.
Key Levers Driving Sustainable Regional Economic Growth
In North Dakota, three levers consistently have the greatest impact: utility availability, logistics, and community acceptance. Access to reliable, scalable energy and infrastructure is often the deciding factor for modern industrial, manufacturing, and technology-driven projects. Logistics, whether rail, highway, or proximity to suppliers and markets, directly affects cost and speed to market. Just as important is community readiness, including alignment among local leaders, clarity around land use and zoning, and public understanding of the opportunity. When infrastructure capacity and community support move together, regions are positioned not only to attract investment but also to sustain it over the long term.
How Public Agencies Can Support Sustainable Workforce and Industry Growth
Public agencies are most effective when incentives are designed as part of a long-term ecosystem rather than as one-time transactions. Alignment improves when incentives support workforce development, productivity, and business modernization, not just job creation counts. This approach requires close coordination with education and training partners, attention to job quality and retention, and the flexibility to adapt as industries evolve.
The Role of Data in Measuring Economic Development Success
Data is essential to evaluating economic development, especially because meaningful outcomes often take years to materialize. It helps distinguish between short-term economic activity and true economic development, the sustained growth of jobs, wages, productivity, and regional resilience. In North Dakota, data allows us to look beyond announcements and measure long-term results such as capital investment realized, job retention, wage growth, and geographic impact over time. Strong data practices set realistic expectations, support accountability, and reinforce that economic development is a long-term investment focused on durable outcomes rather than immediate transactions. Additionally, data helps ensure that public investments deliver measurable returns on investment, guide policy decisions, and foster a competitive business climate that attracts and retains talent while diversifying industries for future resilience.
Balancing Fiscal Responsibility with Strategic Investment in Innovation
Balancing fiscal responsibility with innovation requires economic development professionals to address today’s needs while consistently planning for what comes next. It means honoring the legacy industries that have built North Dakota’s economy while intentionally investing in diversification and future growth. North Dakota does this well by leveraging the strength of its energy economy while also supporting emerging sectors such as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). We focus on strategic, targeted investments that leverage private capital, reduce long-term risk, and strengthen resilience. Through the disciplined use of pilots, phased investments, and clear performance expectations, we are able to invest ahead without compromising fiscal stewardship.
Critical Alliances for Competitive Regional Growth
States compete most effectively when they operate as coordinated ecosystems. The most critical partnerships are those among state agencies, local and regional economic developers, utilities, workforce and education providers, tribal nations, and private-sector partners. These relationships help ensure that projects move efficiently, commitments are deliverable, and messaging is consistent. Strong partnerships also allow states to respond quickly to opportunities and present a unified, credible value proposition to prospective businesses. It is worth saying again: in North Dakota, successful projects depend on alignment among local leaders, thoughtful land-use planning, and a shared community understanding of how growth fits with local values and quality of life.
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