North Dakota has roughly 26,000* open jobs and only 30* workers available for every 100* of them. Our state's economic future depends on filling those jobs. The Global Talent Office is North Dakota's coordinated answer — a workforce office that helps employers, communities, and partners attract and retain the talent the state needs to grow.
Why Global Talent Office Exists
Vision & Mission
Our Origin
◆ ESTABLISHED 2023
Created with bipartisan support to meet a workforce challenge.
GTO was established in 2023 by the 68th North Dakota Legislative Assembly through Senate Bill 2142, sponsored by Sen. Tim Mathern (D-Fargo) and signed into law by Gov. Doug Burgum in April 2023. Originally named the Office of Legal Immigration, it was the first state-level office in North Dakota in 90 years focused on attracting and retaining workers from outside the U.S. In 2025, the 69th Legislative Assembly renamed the office to the Global Talent Office to better reflect its workforce-strategy mission.
Our Team
GTO is a small team within the North Dakota Department of Commerce, working within the Workforce Development Division. Our work depends on a much larger network of partners across state agencies, employers, community organizations, and educational institutions.
Our Impact
Two years in, GTO has built a foundation of partnerships, programs, and engagement across North Dakota. We track our progress publicly so partners, employers, and the legislature can see the return on the state's investment. In 2025, we had the following:
Scope of our Work
What GTO is - and isn't
Stay in Touch
Whether you're an employer, a worker, a community organization, or a state partner - we're glad to hear from you. Our team routes inquiries to the right person quickly.
OFFICE:
North Dakota Department of Commerce
Workforce Development Division
P.O. Box 2057
Bismarck, ND 58502-2057