GNDC Releases 2026 North Dakota Economics and Employer Survey Results

Annual survey reveals strong business confidence alongside workforce challenges, rising costs, and regulatory concerns

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[BISMARCK] – The Greater North Dakota Chamber (GNDC) has released the results of its annual North Dakota Economics and Employer Survey, providing insight into the economic outlook, operational challenges, and policy priorities of North Dakota's business community.
 
The 2026 results reveal a business community that remains resilient and optimistic, with 89% of respondents reporting profitability and 86% rating North Dakota's business climate as pro-business. However, workforce shortages, rising costs, and regulatory uncertainty continue to challenge employers and influence future growth.
 
"North Dakota has built a strong business climate, and these results reflect that," said Arik Spencer, GNDC President and CEO. "But maintaining that advantage requires understanding what businesses are experiencing today and what they need to remain competitive tomorrow. This survey gives us a direct perspective from employers to help guide those conversations."
 
Key Findings from the 2026 Survey

• Workforce remains the top concern. 59% of businesses report difficulty hiring employees, with 74% of those experiencing challenges citing a lack of qualified applicants.
• Employers anticipate growth. 49% expect to increase their workforce over the next 12 months, while 44% expect staffing levels to remain steady.
• Rising costs continue to pressure businesses. 73% report increased supply costs, while federal policy and tariffs or trade wars are identified as leading inflation concerns.
• Workforce barriers extend beyond hiring. 66% report childcare affordability challenges, while 54% identify housing as a workforce barrier.
• Regulatory uncertainty is growing. 38% identify regulatory uncertainty and changing requirements as their leading regulatory concern. Local regulations are increasingly cited as an impediment to business operations.
• Artificial intelligence adoption continues to expand. 42% report frequently using AI, compared to 15% in 2024, with employers largely viewing technology as a tool to improve productivity. 

Business Climate and Policy Priorities
While respondents generally view North Dakota's business climate favorably, they also identified opportunities for state government to support continued economic growth.
 
Workforce attraction and retention solutions, healthcare affordability, and infrastructure investments ranked as the top three priorities for state action.
 
The findings also reinforce the importance of maintaining policies that contribute to North Dakota's competitiveness, including competitive tax policies, stable workers' compensation and unemployment insurance systems, and economic development incentives.
 
"These results are particularly valuable as we look toward the 2027 legislative session," Spencer said. "Businesses are telling us where the challenges exist, but we also need to recognize the policies that are working. Protecting that foundation while addressing emerging barriers is how North Dakota remains a place where businesses want to invest, operate, and grow."
 
GNDC conducts the survey annually to gather perspectives from its membership on economic conditions and issues impacting the business community. Results help inform GNDC's advocacy priorities, member engagement, and ongoing conversations with policymakers.
 
View the full 2026 North Dakota Economics and Employer Survey results online at ndchamber.com.

A link to the infographic can be found here.