North Dakota Department of Commerce

Funds North Dakota growth through state grants, loans, and incentives for manufacturing, technology, workforce, and workforce-ready communities.

North Dakota Department of Commerce is the state's economic-development agency. It coordinates grants, loans, and incentives through its Economic Development and Finance division, with a current portfolio centered on advanced manufacturing, autonomous systems, technology, energy, and value-added agriculture.

Its grant side spans Innovate ND at up to $50,000, the Angel Match Program at up to $250,000, the Autonomous Agriculture Grant Program up to $7.5 million, the Regional Workforce Impact Program up to $150,000 per project, the Technical Skills Training Grant up to $200,000, and tourism and community funds such as Destination Development. Several routes are matched or reimbursable, Innovate ND runs in two $25,000 phases, and RWIP carries a 25 percent match.

Applicants range from startups and employers to regional development groups, cities, counties, and nonprofit intermediaries. Innovate ND is aimed at North Dakota ventures with a resident founder and a scalable commercial model, while RWIP is reserved for regional entities shaping local workforce strategy. The department's cadence is shaped by the legislative biennium, and some programs have moved from ARPA funding to general funds as federal relief dollars expire.