Business Q&A with ND Dept of Commerce Commissioner, Michelle Kommer

Each week, the Greater North Dakota Chamber partners with the North Dakota Department of Commerce to hold a COVID-19 North Dakota Business Briefing Calls Thursdays at 11:00 AM CDT. These calls are for businesses, trade associations, and local chambers of commerce to discuss current solutions for stressors created by COVID-19 effects.

“These calls are important to business leaders who are looking for resources during this tumultuous time. We are happy to host and partner with the ND Dept of Commerce who has a bead on available offerings and programs through state and federal resources that continue to evolve in real-time,” stated Arik Spencer, GNDC CEO and President. 

GNDC caught up with Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer for a GNDC Q&A.  

What role does the Department of Commerce play in the state’s COVID–19 response?
The Department of Commerce’s mission is to attract, expand, and retain wealth in North Dakota. The coronavirus pandemic has caused a sudden and urgent need to focus on the latter – retention.  Therefore, we have shifted all of our resources to support businesses through this trying time. In mid-March, we led the formation of the Economic Resiliency Taskforce that includes both elected and appointed agency leaders from across the state from agencies that interact with business, for the purpose of coordinating our support, to ensure quick and easy access to the resources needed, so businesses do not have to navigate the system on their own. We dedicated a team of researchers to track federal legislation as it developed so that we would be able to mobilize quickly as a state. We launched a “one-stop” website at ndresponse.gov (click the COVID-19 banner, then the “business and employer” button), where we have organized COVID-19 resources for financial support, tax, insurance, labor law, and safety. 
 
How is industry across the state being affected by COVID–19?
Five of our six largest industries have been affected by the nearly simultaneous impact of reduced oil prices and the COVID-19 pandemic (energy, agriculture, retail, hospitality, manufacturing). 

 Where should a business that needs relief start looking for resources?
NDresponse.gov (click the COVID-19 banner, then the “business and employer” button); this site provides up-to-date information and resources that have been verified by our team. We encourage citizens to consult only trusted sources, such as the Small Business Administration, the US Treasury, and the IRS. We have observed misinformation, particularly old information that has not been updated since newer guidance has been released. 
 
What are the goals of the Thursday Business Briefing conference calls? What have been some of the key takeaways?
The goal of the Thursday Business Briefing is to provide North Dakota businesses and employers with the most current information relating to resources available to assist them through this trying time, so that they can mobilize to access those resources, and mitigate the impact of the pandemic as much as possible. We invite participants to ask questions at the time of registration, and we use those questions to build the content for each briefing, as well as the “FAQ’s” we have available at ndresponse.gov. Based on feedback we have received thus far, we believe we are meeting an important need. We are grateful to partner with GNDC to expand our reach and ability to support the North Dakota business community.   
 
What should the business community be looking for in the next couple of weeks?
In the next several weeks we will continue to expand our understanding of the CARES Act and the financial support it offers through additional guidance offered by the federal government. We will continue to improve our website to ensure its usefulness, and we will more deeply explore the CARES Act with emphasis on application, with additional learning opportunities planned for the business community through future Business Briefings. 
 
Are there any other thoughts you would like to share with North Dakota’s business community?
North Dakota businesses, whether startups, sole proprietors, independent contractors or mature operations are not anonymous entities – you are our neighbors and our friends. At the Department of Commerce, we have, and will continue to work tirelessly to support you. You are not in this alone.