Bismarck-Mandan MSA population continues to grow

New census figures show the Bismarck-Mandan metropolitan area, including Burleigh and Morton counties, grew 1.7 percent for the year ending last July to an estimated 104,344.  The MSA's growth from 2000 to 2008 is 10,225, or 10.8%.

Burleigh County's population increased by 1,373, or 1.78%, from the previous year.  Morton County's increase of 329 shows growth of 1.27%. 

The table below illustrates the steady growth enjoyed by both counties as well as the MSA as a whole.

	2008	2007	2006	2005	2000	2000-08
Burleigh Co.	78,689	77,316	75,384	73,900	69,416	13.36%
Morton Co.	26,255	25,926	25,754	25,498	25,303	3.76%
MSA	104,944	103,242	101,138	99,398	94,719	10.80%

Bismarck adds direct flight to Chicago

 

United Airlines will offer a direct flight to Chicago from Bismarck.  The new flights will take off beginning June 4, the same day direct service to Salt Lake City via Delta will begin, said Greg Haug, Bismarck Municipal Airport manager.

"It's great news for us and for the Bismarck airport, and for travelers in western North Dakota,"Haug said.

The service will begin as one flight a day on a regional jet, which will hold about 50 or more people, Haug said.

Haug said the Chicago flight means passengers can take advantage of not only direct service, but 73 connections from the O'Hare International Airport. O'Hare services several European cities, he added.

As of June 4, travelers will have six different direct flight options: Salt Lake City, Mesa-Phoenix, Denver, Minneapolis, Las Vegas and Chicago.

Bismarck airport wins 2008 airport of the year award

The Bismarck Airport has received the "2008 Commercial Service Airport of the Year" award.  The award was presented at the Upper Midwest Symposium last week.

The award is sponsored by the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission in conjunction with the Airport Association of North Dakota (AAND) which recognizes excellence in maintaining a safe and secure airport.  Bismarck Airport was chosen among several other commercial service airports in the state for its commitment to airfield safety, security, and project management.

BMDA to attend WINDPOWER 2009 conference

The Bismarck-Mandan Development Association (BMDA) will join representatives of Bismarck's Northern Plains Commerce Centre (NPCC) and the ND Department of Commerce in Chicago for the WINDPOWER 2009 conference and trade show.  The event is scheduled for May 4 - 7 at the McCormick Place Conference Center.

North Dakota and the surrounding region rank first in wind energy potential by the U.S. Department of Energy. Located in the center of the North American continent with road, rail and air transportation in all directions, Bismarck-Mandan is an ideal location for manufacturing and assembly facilities.

If you plan to be in Chicago at WindPower 2009 and would like to visit with BMDA about the advantages to locating your business in Bismarck-Mandan, contact Brian Ritter, Director of Business Development, at britter@bmda.org or 701-222-5530.