Helping Your Business Thrive During Small Business Month

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