The Relocation Opportunity for Outstanding Talent (ROOT) Grant Program is an initiative led by the North Dakota Department of Commerce to support employers in addressing critical workforce shortages by providing financial assistance for relocation costs. This workforce solution program began accepting applications on March 3, 2025, and is open until June 30, 2025, or until all funds are obligated. The primary objective is to help public and private employers in North Dakota recruit out-of-state talent for in-demand occupations by subsidizing moving expenses through a matching grant structure.

Employers located and registered in North Dakota may apply for up to $5,000 in matching funds per qualified candidate hired into an in-demand role. An additional $500 per candidate may be awarded for applicants recruited through the “Find the Good Life Candidate Marketplace,” and this additional amount does not require a match. Employers must provide a 1:1 match, which may include hiring bonuses or relocation-related expenses. Importantly, employers must document these expenses and ensure that the position is filled by someone relocating to North Dakota from more than 100 miles away from the job site.

Grant eligibility depends on employer size, with limits placed on how many individuals can be supported per organization: up to 5 for employers with 5–20 employees, 10 for those with 20–50 employees, 15 for those with 50–100, and 20 for those with over 100 employees. All grant-supported positions must be in-demand occupations as listed by the North Dakota Workforce Development Council or approved on a case-by-case basis. Employers must demonstrate that relocation is feasible and commit to a one-year employment term for grant-funded hires. State agencies are not eligible for the ROOT program.

To apply, employers must use an online portal and provide information about their business and job vacancies, including job descriptions, hiring needs, cost barriers to relocation, and recruitment history. Additional documents such as signed agreements, match funding details, and candidate data are also required. Employers must also register with the state’s Office of Management and Budget to receive payments and maintain thorough records of expenses and employment duration.

Program applications are reviewed by the Workforce Division of the North Dakota Department of Commerce on a rolling basis, based on submission order, eligibility verification, and the availability of match funds. Employers must submit a completed Request for Funds form after the employee has relocated and been compensated. Businesses are responsible for the full retention of the hired employee for at least one year. If early termination occurs, a prorated reimbursement is required. About 10% of participants will be audited annually.

For further assistance, employers can contact Janna Pastir, Deputy Director of the Workforce Development Division, at 701-328-5393 or via email at jalpastir@nd.gov.