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